Read Online Lawman from Nogales (9781101544747) by Ralph W. Cotton - Free Book Online

crackled beneath a fresh mound of dried mesquite brush and downfallen scrub oak.
    â€œRanger Burrack?” she called out quietly, looking over at the bare spot where Sam’s blanket and saddle had been.
    Hearing no reply, she started to call out again. But before she could, Sam stepped forward into the firelight leading both horses, saddled and ready for the trail.
    â€œI’m right here, ma’am,” he said, stopping a few feet away, the horses right behind him. “I thought we’d make our way out of here before daylight, so that we can get across the flats and into some hill shade before the worst heat of the day.”
    â€œYes, I understand,” Erin said, rising from her blanket. “I’m ready if you are.” She ran her hands down herself and straightened the trail clothes she’d put on before they’d left Wild Roses.
    â€œThere’s fresh coffee, ma’am,” Sam said, letting her know he wasn’t pushing to leave. “I have some jerked elk and hardtack in my saddlebags, for breakfast.” He posed his words as an invitation.
    â€œThank you,” she said, “but I can’t eat a thing this early in the morning.”
    He’d called her ma’am ? Not Erin like before?
    â€œCoffee, then?” he said. He dropped the reins to the horses and stepped toward the pot sitting in a banked pile of glowing embers. “You’re going to need something in your stomach—”
    â€œExcuse me, Ranger,” she said, cutting him off, as if something he’d said disagreed with her. “I told you in Wild Roses that I eat like a bird.”
    Sam watched her step over to her horse. She took down a canteen hanging from her saddle horn and walked away into the grainy morning darkness.
    He pushed his sombrero up and looked down at the coffeepot for a moment. Then he stooped and filled both of the tin cups he’d set out for them.
    He stood up moments later, his cup in hand, when Erin returned and hooked the canteen strap over her saddle horn. She stepped over to the fire, stooped down and picked up her cup of coffee.
    â€œOn second thought, coffee sounds good,” she said.
    Sam looked at her, seeing that she’d washed her face, pulled her hair back and tied it in place with a strip of rawhide.
    Nothing like a clean face , Sam thought, seeing how both her spirits and demeanor appeared to have lifted, brightened.
    â€œHow about that elk and hardtack now?” he asked.
    She looked up at him, and smiled over the tin cup of steaming coffee. Before she could reply, Sam stooped beside her and took off his sombrero, leaving on the black bandanna tied back over his head. He looked into her eyes and took a breath.
    â€œHow far along are you, ma’am?” he asked.
    â€œHow far along—?” She stopped short with a stunned look on her face. “What on earth are you talking about?” she asked.
    â€œNobody eats like a bird crossing these Mexican hills and desert planes,” Sam said. “Maybe back in Wild Roses,” he added, “but not out here.”
    â€œHow dare you, Ranger,” Erin said, denying the matter as far as she could.
    â€œPlease, ma’am. You’re with child,” Sam said with finality. “I would call it none of my business, except that we’re crossing some awfully rough country together. I need to know what condition you’re in. So, begging your pardon . . . how far along are you ?” he asked again.
    She looked away, let out a breath and turned back facing him, her eyes welling with tears.
    â€œPlease don’t think me a harlot, Ranger,” she said.
    â€œI don’t, ma’am,” Sam said. “I just think you’re in trouble, you’re scared and you don’t know who you can trust. So you’re holding back from telling the truth, thinking that lying is going to help you some way.”
    She stared back into his eyes and nodded slightly