Read Online McKenna, (Sweet Western Historical Romance) (Nevada Brides Series Book 1) by Clara Kincaid - Free Book Online
Authors: Clara Kincaid
Ads: Link
just hope this one won’t be one of them.”
McKenna gulped, massaging her dress over where her money was hidden. “I certainly hope not, either.” If she lost her money, what would they do?
* * *
With the sign of the next stagecoach station in his sights, two men on horseback came racing up to them, rifles in hand.
“What’s your business here?” one of them demanded.
“What?” Cole asked. “Is there some problem?”
“Two men have been following the stagecoach we think, quite desperate men. We’re hoping they’re not about to rob it.”
Cole gripped the reins in his hands until his knuckles were white. “That’s not good. My wife is on that stagecoach.”
“Leave your wagon at the station and you’ll probably want to come with us. We received a telegram not long ago that they hit another stagecoach east of here. We have a few horses you could use.”
Cole followed the men to the station and he unhooked the horses from the wagon, letting them into the corral. At least they’d get a rest.
Cole and Bret saddled up and joined the two other men, racing after the stagecoach at a neck-breaking speed. He hoped they’d make it there before the robbery happened. There was no telling what would happen and what danger McKenna was in at that moment.
* * *
McKenna had her fingers on the ledge of the window, searching the landscape, but she didn’t see any riders following them. When she looked back at the occupants in the coach, the women were quite pale with worry, but the men were rather smug-looking.
“I suppose the prospect of being robbed doesn’t bother you, Charles or Albert,” McKenna said.
“Not in the least, Miss. It routinely happens, and I have no cash or valuables. Of course, you ladies have more of value under your skirts,” Charles stated matter-of-factly.
McKenna narrowed her eyes. “You’re crude and a cad,” she vented at them. “It’s no wonder you’re traveling with your brother and not a wife. I can’t imagine any woman spending more than a minute with you, Charles.”
Charles leaned forward, his eyes wide with anger. “I’d watch myself if I were you, Miss. Your husband isn’t here to protect you.”
Ethel patted her bag. “No, but I certainly have something that can take care of you with one shot if you speak to the lady like that again.”
Charles sighed heavily, but at least shut up for the moment, which McKenna was very happy about since she had never been around a man the likes of Charles before. She was also not used to a man speaking the way he had to her. She shouldn’t have spoken to him like she did, but how could she hold back when a man spoke that way in the company of women?
McKenna relaxed when they traveled for a time without incident —until shots were fired. The stagecoach continued to race forward, and the driver and the man riding up top returned fire. She bit down on a fist when she heard the man cry out and fall off the top of the coach, and then four men on horseback circled them. Only then did the driver stop the stagecoach and toss down his rifle. She shook her head at Ethel to indicate that she wasn’t to take her gun out. One pistol would hardly be of much use against four men with rifles, who could perhaps be killers even.
The door to the coach was opened and a masked gunman said, “Out, passengers. Once you surrender your valuables, we’ll be on our way.”
McKenna gulped as she was the first one helped out by a man with an S scar on his hand. She was soon followed by Ethel and Bella, who appeared calm while McKenna was shaking head to toe as she stared at the masked men. She looked down quickly so as not to draw attention to herself.
When Charles and Albert clambered out, they laughed. “If it isn’t the Bart Gang. This is a real honor.”
The men didn’t respond, just began to toss down bags and the strong box.
When they took McKenna’s bag, she implored the men. “Please don’t take my bag. I was just married, and
McKenna gulped, massaging her dress over where her money was hidden. “I certainly hope not, either.” If she lost her money, what would they do?
* * *
With the sign of the next stagecoach station in his sights, two men on horseback came racing up to them, rifles in hand.
“What’s your business here?” one of them demanded.
“What?” Cole asked. “Is there some problem?”
“Two men have been following the stagecoach we think, quite desperate men. We’re hoping they’re not about to rob it.”
Cole gripped the reins in his hands until his knuckles were white. “That’s not good. My wife is on that stagecoach.”
“Leave your wagon at the station and you’ll probably want to come with us. We received a telegram not long ago that they hit another stagecoach east of here. We have a few horses you could use.”
Cole followed the men to the station and he unhooked the horses from the wagon, letting them into the corral. At least they’d get a rest.
Cole and Bret saddled up and joined the two other men, racing after the stagecoach at a neck-breaking speed. He hoped they’d make it there before the robbery happened. There was no telling what would happen and what danger McKenna was in at that moment.
* * *
McKenna had her fingers on the ledge of the window, searching the landscape, but she didn’t see any riders following them. When she looked back at the occupants in the coach, the women were quite pale with worry, but the men were rather smug-looking.
“I suppose the prospect of being robbed doesn’t bother you, Charles or Albert,” McKenna said.
“Not in the least, Miss. It routinely happens, and I have no cash or valuables. Of course, you ladies have more of value under your skirts,” Charles stated matter-of-factly.
McKenna narrowed her eyes. “You’re crude and a cad,” she vented at them. “It’s no wonder you’re traveling with your brother and not a wife. I can’t imagine any woman spending more than a minute with you, Charles.”
Charles leaned forward, his eyes wide with anger. “I’d watch myself if I were you, Miss. Your husband isn’t here to protect you.”
Ethel patted her bag. “No, but I certainly have something that can take care of you with one shot if you speak to the lady like that again.”
Charles sighed heavily, but at least shut up for the moment, which McKenna was very happy about since she had never been around a man the likes of Charles before. She was also not used to a man speaking the way he had to her. She shouldn’t have spoken to him like she did, but how could she hold back when a man spoke that way in the company of women?
McKenna relaxed when they traveled for a time without incident —until shots were fired. The stagecoach continued to race forward, and the driver and the man riding up top returned fire. She bit down on a fist when she heard the man cry out and fall off the top of the coach, and then four men on horseback circled them. Only then did the driver stop the stagecoach and toss down his rifle. She shook her head at Ethel to indicate that she wasn’t to take her gun out. One pistol would hardly be of much use against four men with rifles, who could perhaps be killers even.
The door to the coach was opened and a masked gunman said, “Out, passengers. Once you surrender your valuables, we’ll be on our way.”
McKenna gulped as she was the first one helped out by a man with an S scar on his hand. She was soon followed by Ethel and Bella, who appeared calm while McKenna was shaking head to toe as she stared at the masked men. She looked down quickly so as not to draw attention to herself.
When Charles and Albert clambered out, they laughed. “If it isn’t the Bart Gang. This is a real honor.”
The men didn’t respond, just began to toss down bags and the strong box.
When they took McKenna’s bag, she implored the men. “Please don’t take my bag. I was just married, and
Similar Books
