Read Online Runaway by Bobbi Smith - Free Book Online Page B

outlaw—”
    “His mail-order bride ain’t gonna find that out until it’s too late.”
    The preacher was saddened by the news, but he knew a Ranger was on his way to straighten the whole mess out. For the woman’s sake, he hoped Ranger Madison got to the Circle D in time. For an innocent woman to arrive in the midst of such turmoil would be terribly dangerous. He looked down at the telegraph operator seated before his instrument. Knowing Willy was a member of his congregation, he said, “Keep the woman in your prayers, Willy. I have a feeling she’s going to need all the help she can get.”
    “I’ll do that, Reverend.”
    Reverend Thompson went on about his duties, but as he did, he said a prayer that both the Ranger and the young woman would be safe.
    Raymond had been sleeping soundly after his wild night of celebrating when he was jarred from his sleep by a loud pounding on his bedroom door.
    “What is it?” he called out in confusion.
    “Sir, you’re needed downstairs right away.”
    “Why?” he demanded grouchily.
    “You have a visitor, sir,” the maid responded. “Mr. Parker is here to see you, and he says it’s urgent.”
    “Bryce is here?” Raymond grumbled, throwing himself out of bed.
    “He’s waiting for you in your study.”
    Raymond could only imagine that the other man had good news for him. After all, things had worked out perfectly for both of them the night before. Maybe Bryce had just shown up this morning to let him know that he and Destiny had eloped last night and were now happily married. If so, it would be the best news Raymond had gotten from anyone in a long time.
    Raymond pulled on his clothes and hurried out of his room.
    When Raymond walked into the study, he found out very quickly that the news Bryce had for him was not good—not good at all. The other man looked furious, and his head and face were heavily bandaged.
    “Bryce! What happened to you?” Raymond asked, shocked. He quickly closed the door behind him to give them the privacy they needed to talk.
    Bryce turned his icy glare on the other man. “Let’s just say the evening didn’t work out quite the way I had expected it to.”
    “I don’t understand—Who hit you?”
    “Your precious little stepdaughter, that’s who!” Raymond raged. “And I want to see her now! Get her for me, or I’ll go upstairs and drag her down here myself!”
    Raymond rushed from the room and called the maid, ordering her to wake Destiny and bring her down to the study immediately.
    Sylvia did as she was told and returned to the study only minutes later, looking most mortified.
    “Mr. Howard, I have most distressing news. I expected to find Miss Destiny still in bed sleeping, but—”
    “But what?” he demanded, turning on her threateningly.
    She looked at him nervously. “Her bed hasn’t been slept in all night! I searched everywhere in the house, but I couldn’t find her. I don’t know where she could be!”
    Raymond rushed past the maid and up the stairs to Destiny’s room. He found himself staring around the empty bedroom. He checked her closet to find all her clothes were there. Then he turned back to the maid, who’d followed him.
    “When did you see her last?”
    “Why, last evening,” Sylvia replied. “When she was leaving the house with you to go to Mr. Parker’s.”
    “Has anyone seen her since?”
    “I don’t know—I’ll go check with the other servants,” she assured him, playing her role as dutiful servant. She was relieved when Raymond didn’t press her further. It wasn’t often she was forced to lie, but this time she was going to make sure he never found out the truth. He was just as horrible and evil as Bryce Parker.
    Raymond returned to the study to tell Bryce what he’d learned.
    Bryce was not happy. He looked up at the other man, his eyes shining with hatred and the need for revenge. “I’m going to find your precious little stepdaughter, and when I do…she’s going to