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

as if weighing what he’d said.
    â€œIf I am correct, it has been eleven weeks since I first missed my time,” she said at length.
    â€œThree months . . . ,” Sam said, considering her condition and gauging her ability to withstand crossing the rough hill country that lay ahead of them. Not to mention the country that led to Port of Tampico, where she was headed.
    â€œPlease don’t think me a loose woman, Sam,” she said. “I fell in love with the wrong man. When he found out I was carrying a child, he left me.” The tears welling in her eyes broke free and ran down her cheeks. She did nothing to stop them.
    â€œMa’am, you don’t have to explain yourself to me,” Sam said quietly. “My only concern is getting you safely to Jerez.”
    But she continued as if she hadn’t heard him.
    â€œAfter he left me, I learned that he’d been killed, robbing a train across the border in Texas,” she said.
    Sam looked at her closely.
    â€œWas he one of the Gun Killers?” he asked.
    â€œNo,” she said. “He rode with them for a while. Then he went on his own way.” She wiped her eyes, collected herself and raised her chin. “Would you like to know his name?”
    â€œOnly if you want me to know it, ma’am,” Sam said.
    â€œI suppose it makes no difference,” she said, dismissing the matter. “Now you know why I find it important to get home to Ireland. I want to bring my child into this world surrounded by people I have known all my life.”
    â€œIt’s usually a mother’s wish that their child be born in the United States and become an American. But in your case . . .” He let his words trail.
    â€œIn my case, I am wanted by the law,” Erin said with an edge of bitterness in her voice. “Yes, you’re right, Ranger Burrack,” she added, “and in the case of myself and my poor brother, Bram, America has not been the paradise we’d thought it to be.”
    â€œI’d never call my country paradise,” Sam replied, “but I call living here a struggle in the right direction.”
    Erin considered his words for a moment.
    â€œPerhaps I would feel differently had things gone better for us,” she said.
    â€œNo matter how things turned out for you,” Sam said, “there was an opportunity for you to rise or fall on your own. I expect that’s the best we can ask of any place.”
    â€œYes, I suppose it is,” said Erin. “But you have to admit, there’s much injustice in America—wrongs that need to be made right.”
    â€œI admit there’s plenty of injustice for everybody,” Sam said. “But the only way I know to make things right is to follow the word of the law and keep it headed in the right direction.” He offered a tired smile. “My being a lawman from Nogales , that’s all I know to do about it.”
    She returned his slight smile and watched him stand and walk to the saddlebags atop the copper-colored dun.
    â€œThere’s lawmen from everywhere down here,” she said to him, “from Texas, Arizona . . .” She shook her head slowly. “I don’t understand how things work down here.”
    The Ranger gave a slight smile.
    â€œNeither does anybody else, truth be known.” He sipped his coffee. “That’s how it’s always been on the border. I don’t look for things to change anytime soon.”
    When he returned, he stooped beside a flat rock he’d placed near the fire and laid out a knife and a shank of jerked elk for breakfast.
    â€œLet’s get you fed, ma’am,” he said. “We’ve got a long ride ahead. In your condition, you’ll need all your strength.”
    Erin moved over beside him and reached out for the knife handle.
    â€œLet me do that,” she said. “You sit down and enjoy your coffee.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” Sam