A Western Romance: Love Storm - Western Historical Romance: (Western Fiction, Western Books, Western Brides) (Leap of Love Series Book 4) by Paige Powers Read Free Book Online Page A

They traveled slowly, with the posse following close behind them.
    Once they reached the telegram office, the men dismounted and tethered their horses. Boyd's body was sore from riding so long and he was happy to stretch his legs.
    Scout walked inside the office, ready to send a telegram to his father and let him know where they were. Scout left the office, and suggested that they all go out and get something to eat. The sheriff suggested that they go over to the Elk Lodge and get something to eat and a bit of rest before moving on.
    The food was filling, and it was nice to take a quick nap for about an hour. Once Boyd awoke, Beau was outside tending to the horses.
    "Are we ready to get out of here?"
    "Just about." Beau continued to groom the horses. "Scout is at the telegram office. Simmons sent a response."
    "Maybe it's good news."
    Beau shrugged. "Maybe. It's getting a bit exhausting being out here looking for this woman that we've never met."
    A tinge of anger surged through Boyd in response to his brother's comment.
    "What do you mean, Beau?"
    "I'm just saying. This rich man just has three people out searching for his daughter. Two of the men are newly officiated lawmen."
    "I still don't get what you are trying to get at, brother."
    "Look. By all accounts, Lou Simmons is a rich and powerful man. His one and only daughter goes missing, and he doesn't have search teams out looking for her. He just has her brother and two new lawmen out looking for her. It doesn't make sense to me. Does it make sense to you?"
    Boyd tried to take in what his brother was saying. "I see what you mean. But I can't believe any foul play would be involved. What kind of man would do that to his own daughter?'
    "We really don't know any of these people to make a judgment either way."
    "You do have a point, Beau. But I don't want our opinions to get in the way of the work we are assigned."
    They quieted their conversation as Scout approached.
    "I just got a telegram from my father. Apparently Red Davies has sent a ransom request."
    "I knew that was coming soon."
    Boyd agreed with his brother. "At least that is a step toward negotiation."
    Scout shook his head. "You just don't understand. There is no negotiation with a man like Red Davies."
    "Scout. There is room for negotiation all of the time. Especially in instances like this."
    Scout stepped forward, jaw clenched. "I'm usually a pretty peaceful person. But in this instance, I would not mind if there was no negotiation. Why should I be considerate of a mad man?"
    "Family comes first. I understand, Scout. But the point of this entire thing is to get your sister home safely, and to make sure that Red Davies pays for kidnapping your sister."
    "I agree with Beau," Boyd replied. "We want to capture him and make him pay. Revenge does not always feel as good as you think it will. Let's be level headed."
    Beau nodded. "Level headed is the key. May I ask how much the ransom is?"
    "That's not the point. If it was five dollars or a thousand dollars, there is still a ransom on my sister's head. And Red Davies is out there with Bianca, somewhere we can't make sure she is not being harmed."
    Beau placed a reassuring hand on Scout's shoulder. "We are with you a hundred percent of the way."
    As they hitched the horses to ride, the posse approached them.
    "How have the townsfolk been treating you all?"
    Boyd looked in the direction of the sheriff. "We thank you for your hospitality. We have been treated well."
    "Good to hear. I hope that you got the information that you needed."
    All three of the men mounted their horses. "We did. Thank you, Sheriff. I think we will be on our way," Boyd commented.
    The men bid farewells, and Boyd and the crew were off. The plan was to back track the trail they had already passed. The thought was that since Red Davies now sent a request for ransom, he had to be close by Eagle Valley. There would be no other way that he could receive his money.
    It would be another day's trip back