Belle Gone Bad by Sabine Starr Read Free Book Online Page A

slow pace was fairly comfortable for a rider, but a fast pace was not, so the gait wasn’t practical for riding fast over long distances. But a pacer could be taught a form of amble that was smoother to ride.
    She assumed that she was now looking for a gray pacer specially trained to a four-beat lateral gait. A horse like that would be memorable among saddle horses with mostly dark bay coats.
    When she heard the door of the hotel open, she looked around. Mercy stood there with his saddlebags and what he’d gathered for the trip. He gave her a slight smile and then nodded in the direction of Manny’s Stable.
    She felt warmth unfurl in the pit of her stomach at the sight of him. She couldn’t understand her reaction. She hadn’t been interested in anyone since Hackett, because who could hold a candle to such a perfect man? Perhaps she was simply tired and lonely. In time, she felt sure Mercy would simply drift away like the wind.
    â€œSee anything helpful?” Mercy walked to the edge of the boardwalk and glanced around.
    â€œNo.” She took a final look around before joining him. “Too many horses. They’ve destroyed last night’s tracks.”
    â€œDo you think you can find the trail out of town?”
    â€œIf it’s there, I’ll find it.”
    â€œWe’re lucky one of those horses is a pacer.”
    â€œYes. I can pick out the hoofprints easier. But don’t you think it’s an odd choice for a saddle horse?”
    â€œIf it helps us find Diana, I don’t care.”
    â€œI still wonder why a kidnapper would ride a memorable horse.”
    â€œDoes it matter?”
    â€œI get uneasy when something doesn’t make sense.”
    â€œA man can get attached to a particular horse.”
    â€œBut an outlaw who doesn’t want to be noticed? I’ve got to think one of several things might be at work. The rider’s arrogant. He’s intentionally leaving a trail. He prefers a pacer.”
    â€œDon’t rule out stupidity.”
    â€œYou’re right. I could be reading too much into this pacer. But so far, it’s our best lead.” She didn’t normally share information, but this was different. They were going to work together. “There’s another thing.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI found pacer tracks where both Tex and Hackett were bushwhacked.”
    He looked at her in astonishment. “Do you think it’s the same horse?”
    â€œThat’s about the only thing that makes sense.”
    â€œIf that’s the case, this might be more than a simple kidnapping.”
    â€œSomething to keep in mind.”
    Mercy nodded before he glanced at the sky. “Think we ought to be on our way before clouds build up and rain washes away the trail?”
    She looked up, too. “That’s a beautiful blue sky. No rain today.” “How can you be sure?”
    â€œI’ve lived in Texas all my life.”
    â€œGuess that’ll do it.”
    â€œBut I agree we need to get out of town. Why don’t you go ahead to Manny’s. I’ll hurry over to the Red River Saloon, pick up my horse, and change clothes.”
    â€œYou’ve got clothes there?”
    â€œBig Jim keeps a trunk for me in his rooms. It’s handy when I’m passing through the area.”
    â€œI’ll go with you.”
    â€œWhy? You’re loaded down. You might as well get your belongings transferred to the back of a horse.”
    â€œI’d just as soon we stayed together.”
    She sighed. “You think I’d run out on you?”
    â€œYou weren’t eager to—”
    â€œMercy, one thing you need to understand about me. I keep my word.”
    â€œYou’re my best hope. I don’t want to lose you.”
    â€œYou won’t.”
    â€œThen I guess I’d better mosey over to Manny’s.”
    â€œI’ll meet you there.”
    When neither of them moved, Belle