Read Online The Gallows' Bounty (West of Second Chances) by Desiree Banks - Free Book Online Page B

frolicking alongside its mother in the corral.  Then she realized that he obviously took care of what was his.  And maybe, just maybe that same care would extend to her.  In ways, it already had.
    He’s nicknamed the Butcher for a reason , she reminded herself even as she asked, “How long have we been here?”
    “We’ve been home about three days now,” he said.
    “I see.”  She paused before continuing, “What’s the name of your ranch again?”
    “The Box B,” he informed her.
    Willow wanted to ask him more about his ranch, but the attention he was paying the bruises on her neck made the questions die in her throat.  Embarrassed by his quiet scrutiny, a hand fluttered up to shield the bruises from his gaze.
    He cleared his throat, and looked away, saying, “You’ll most likely want to freshen up.”
    She longed for a bath.  How was she going to get one, though?  She reckoned herself too weak to carry any amount of water, not to mention buckets of it.
    “I’ll get the tub,” he said as he stood and walked out of the room.  “I’ve already heated some water.”
    He’d anticipated her need for a bath?  Not only did he get her the tub, he filled it as well.  All she could do was watch him silently.  With every step and straining of his arms, untold muscles corded and bunched.  Power radiated from his body.  He was the first person in a long time to use his strength for her instead of against her.
    “I’ll be in the kitchen getting supper ready, so make sure you holler if you need anything.”  He stopped and turned to face her at the doorway.  “If you can’t make it to the tub on your own, don’t overdo it.  I’ll help you if you call.”
    He left then.
    She didn’t think she’d have any trouble making it to the tub.  He’d set it as close to the end of the bed as he could.  She dropped her legs over the edge of the mattress and waited for the black lights to stop shooting across her vision.
    Maybe she would have some trouble making it to the tub.
    She sat there a moment before noticing the item on the nightstand–her gun, the one he had given her.  She reached forward and lifted it with a weak, shaking hand.  Apparently he had cleaned it after its dunking in the creek.  She checked the chamber.  It was loaded.
    She began to trust him.
    Holding the firearm, she walked the few feet to the bathtub.  Cold sweat beaded on her brow with every step.  She placed the gun on the floor next to the tub and stepped carefully into the steaming water.
    She sank slowly into the water and laid her head against the back of the tub.  Her eyes drooped, and she drifted off to sleep even though she kept reminding herself to stay awake.
     
    BODEN WAS GROWING NERVOUS .  Willow hadn’t joined him in the dining room, and it was silent in the bedroom.  Had she fallen asleep in the tub?  Sneaked out the window?  He didn’t want to barge in and disturb her and lose any of the trust he was forming with her, but if he didn’t do something, he may regret it.
    He knocked on the door and called, “Mrs. Roberts, supper’s ready.”
    He waited.  No splashing, no answer came from the other side of the door.  The time had come to check on her.
    He opened the door and stepped quietly inside.  He looked immediately to the bathtub. She was sound asleep, her head thankfully above water.
    She looked so peaceful that he hated to wake her.  Her long neck was exposed and with it the fading bruises.  Elbows rested on the edge of the tub and her arms sloped downward to shield her breasts. The woman was beautiful, alone, and defenseless.  How could anyone hurt her?
    And how could anyone resist her?
    He turned away from the beautiful sight she made and slammed the door behind himself to wake her, denying himself the opportunity to place his hands on her very feminine shoulders and shake her awake.
    He heard splashing as she resumed bathing.  He walked quietly back into the kitchen and out the front