Read Online Love Finds You in Tombstone, Arizona by Miralee Ferrell - Free Book Online

bent low over a table of men playing cards. She allowed her gaze to roam over the room once again, then slowly returned her attention to the man beside her, trying not to stare. Doc Holliday was a legend. His fame had even reached into the small mining community of Last Chance. He had a Colt .45 strapped to his hip, and the handle of a knife protruded from a sheath to the left of his belt buckle. She’d heard of his prowess with both weapons. More than one man turned his attention away from her now when they noted the man standing close by. Somehow his nearness did little to assuage her anxiety, however. She didn’t belong in this place, and neither did Joshua. When she got her hands on her little brother, she’d convince him to change his ways.
    Loud voices lifted above the hum. Christy turned her attention toward the commotion. A man pushed back from a table halfway across the crowded gambling floor and threw his cards on the table. “You’re a low-down cheat, Coulter.”
    A chill raced up Christy’s spine. Her brother stood with his hand hovering over the lapel of his coat where she knew he favored hiding a gun.
    A raw-boned man wearing a bow tie and a white shirt shoved his chair back and glared. “Watch what you call me, son. I’m a dead shot, and you’ll be buried before sundown if you’re not careful.”
    Joshua snarled a curse and his hand stiffened.
    Christy sprang forward, pushing past Doc Holliday’s outstretched arm. “Joshua, wait!”
    Her high-pitched cry froze the room. The piano and violin hushed, and the slowing roulette wheel clicked loudly in the silence. Joshua kept his gaze on the waiting Coulter.
    Christy pushed through the men separating her from her brother. “Joshua, it’s me, Christy. Please don’t fight that man.”
    His hand wavered and then dropped to his side. He drew in a sharp, hard breath and broke his gaze free, sweeping his hand over the small stack of coins on the table and dumping them into his coat pocket. “You’re gettin’ off easy this time, Coulter. Next time you cheat, my sister won’t be around to save your hide.”
    The buzz in the room resumed, and the men at the table picked up their cards and commenced playing as though nothing unpleasant had happened.
    Christy rushed to her brother’s side, barely sensing Doc Holliday’s presence behind her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
    Joshua swiveled toward her and scowled. “You don’t belong in here. Get out and go see Ma.”
    She jerked back, feeling as though she’d been struck. The brother she remembered would never have spoken to her this way. “Joshua, I don’t know where Ma lives.”
    Gordon Townsley stepped over and touched her arm. “Miss Grey, allow me?”
    Christy wasn’t sure what the man planned, but right now she felt at a complete loss and could only nod.
    He threw a hard look at Joshua. “Why don’t you walk your sister home, Grey? She’s had a long stage ride, and I’m sure she’d like to rest and see her ma. You can come back later when you’ve cooled off.”
    Joshua’s jaw clenched. “Fine. Let’s go.” He stalked past Christy and headed for the door.

Chapter Five

    Nevada exited the livery stable where he’d put up his horse and strolled onto the bustling main street. He hadn’t been able to get the picture of the injured woman out of his mind. If only he’d paid more attention when she’d stepped off the stage and not let her out of his sight. It occurred to him that she might need to purchase some things after arriving in town or even be staying at a local boardinghouse. Spending time walking the streets wouldn’t be a bad idea.
    This place certainly lived up to its reputation as a booming mining town. Freight wagons rolled past, loaded with ore drawn by mule teams boasting ten and twelve strong. Men loitered on street corners, and a shopkeeper swept the boardwalk in front of his establishment while keeping an eye open for prospective customers. A cat raced between