"Only a coward hides behind a woman's skirts. Release her. "
Josh Hunter growled.
Buckshot's eyes bulged. "Coward!" He went for his gun.
Molly struggled against the outlaw, foiling his draw.
"He tricked me, Josh. Said you were shot up bad and needed
me. I'm so sorry."
"No apology needed, sweet lips. You’re the finest wife a
man could wish for."
"Does that mean I’ll get my ring soon?" She batted her
eyelashes and a queer yearning lurched through his stomach.
Marrying wasn’t for him. But now he’d have to play the part. Not
that it would be difficult. Molly was one sweet woman. And a
helluva kisser.
"Hey, Red, I got lotsa money," Nelson said. "I'll buy you
purty rings if yer nice to me."
Molly’s lip curled. "Why should I be nice to you?"
"Cuz yer man ain’t gonna make it through the night."
Her cinnamon eyes widened. "Why not?"
"Cuz he’s gonna be a dead man."
Molly whipped a frightened glance at Josh.
"Don’t fret, darlin'. I'm not gonna die. He’s bluffing."
The outlaw leader showed a lot of missing teeth. "You
gotta sleep sometime. Besides, I can yell and my men’ll come
runnin’."
"Then call them," Josh said in a cold, deadly voice. "But
you'll die first. Then Buckshot. Guaranteed. Unless you release
Molly."
"Bastard!" Buckshot's brown eyes narrowed into slits. "I’m
gonna git you."
"Not if I get you first," Josh shot back. "Kill me and
you’ll never know where I hid that payroll. Or when the next one’s
scheduled."
Buckshot’s mouth fell open. "Huh? What payroll? Where?"
"That bank teller was still alive. Told me lots."
"Yer lyin—"
Nelson whipped a punch sideways into Buckshot’s face.
"Fool. I told you there was money on that stage. Now he’s got
it."
Buckshot stumbled and Molly dashed to Josh's side.
"Lots of it, too." Josh grinned despite walking this
dangerous tightrope of deceit.
"Yer lyin’," Buckshot sneered. "I looked over that stage."
"The seats had false bottoms," Josh lied.
"Fools. Surrounded by fools and idiots." Nelson nodded at
Josh. "Put yer guns away. You’re my new pardner."
"Fine. Just remember I don’t share my money or my woman."
Nelson laughed so hard his belly jiggled. "You got grit.
I like that. And smarts. You and me gonna work together from now
on."
"Let Molly leave and I’ll make you rich beyond your
dreams."
Nelson's grin vanished. "Nope. She stays. She’ll be
safe...long as you keep yer promises."
Bloody hell. "I always keep my word." And I vow to send
you all to Hell.
"You can share my tent," Nelson said.
Josh shook his head. "No, I’ll take one of the caves."
"Ain't my tent good enough fer you?"
Josh forced a wink. "Me'n Molly are still newly wed. We
need our privacy."
Molly blushed. Nelson roared. Chuckling with him, Josh
holstered one gun, tucked Molly under his free arm, rubbed his hand
over her bottom and gave her a loud kiss.
They were safe...for now.
