All or Nothing by Ashley Elizabeth Ludwig Read Free Book Online Page B

Bowen watched from afar as they sang their hymns on Sunday morning, the hypocrites. But he wouldn’t pay an affront to God by stepping foot in His church. He knew he was no better than those citizens for what he had done. At least the padre respected his wishes and didn’t ask him to services anymore.
    Bowen kicked dirt over the smoldering campfire coals as his eyes slid to the chapel compound, his thoughts swirling with the dark gray clouds overhead.
    “Hey, Cap! Let’s get a move on. That pretty little girl ain’t coming to see you today.” Reggie winked good-naturedly, leading his dappled gray mount over to his tack. The sturdy, strong cavalry horse gave a snort and flicked her well-combed tail. Bowen watched as Reggie lined up next to Ross, whose lips twitched in good humor.
    “You got something to say, too, Sergeant?” Bowen barked without a bite.
    Ross angled his head east, absently twisting his mustache. “Not to rush you, but my wife would like to see me at least for a few hours before the commander sends us back to scout the Chiricahuas.”
    “Your wife don’t even remember what you look like, MacEvoy.” Reggie held up an arm to deflect Ross’ friendly punch.
    “At least I have a woman waiting for me. What’s back at the barracks waiting for you, besides a scorpion or two?”
    Reggie seemed about to give another retort, and Bowen rose to his full commanding height, shoulders back, fists clenched around his saddlebags. “That’s it. We’re moving on.”
    Bowen settled his saddlebags in place and stowed his rifle in its long leather scabbard. A dark gray cloud billowed in front of the sun, reminding them all that the monsoons were coming. It amazed him how the clouds could spring up from behind any of the mountains that circled the valley. It seemed the storms were set to ambush them again, just as sure as Sunday. Bowen had learned as a young recruit that when the heat and humidity came early, torrential rain was sure to follow, so completely unlike the flatlands of the farm where he grew up. They’d better be beyond the lower Tanque Verde when it hit.
    “Move out, gentlemen. And I do use that term loosely .” Bowen had finished tightening the girth of his mount and taken a boot to the stirrup when a female voice called from the direction of the chapel. He went stock still, halfway onto his eighteen-hand high horse.
    Reggie chuckled but immediately went stone-faced at Bowen’s glare. No matter that they were friends. The captain would have no disrespect when they were in uniform.
    “I said, move out.” Bowen’s low, stern voice commanded an instant reaction from his men. He unseated his foot from the stirrup.
    He watched RuthAnne pick her way gingerly but quickly up the path. She narrowly avoided the jumping cholla cactus, round and thick with spines that clawed for and threatened her skirts. She strode into the clearing, breathing hard from her trek, her face flushed. Her loose hair curled around her shoulders, bare in the traditional Mexican embroidered blouse. It was hard not to admire the woman who stormed toward him, jaw set, eyes sparkling, looking full of fire and ready for a fight.
    ****
    RuthAnne kept her eye on the tower of a man as her belly churned. Obviously, she’d stumbled into a private conversation. She passed the blonde soldier as he guided his mount down the slope and offered her a tip of his dark blue hat in greeting.
    “Ma’am.”
    Uphill, standing next to the captain, a dark-haired soldier of lesser rank smiled winningly in her direction. She caught him shooting a sidelong glance at his commanding officer before returning his attention to adjusting the girth of his saddle.
    “You finished, there, Private?”
    “Not quite.” The private gave a sharp yank and then retied the strap. “Don’t mind me, Cap. You all just pretend like I’m not here.” He blinked innocently.
    “Reggie, if you don’t...”
    “I’m done. I’m done.” The soldier mounted his horse and