Brazen by Bobbi Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

three men were laughing as they rode on.
    Michael realized it felt good to laugh a little after the
tension of the last days. He was frustrated by his lack of
success in searching the site of the shooting, but he wasn't
ready to give up. He already knew what he was going to
do the following day.
    They returned to the barn and tended to their horses
before going up to the house.
    "Did you find anything?" Elizabeth asked when Michael
and Nick came in. She'd been waiting anxiously for them.
    "No. We checked the entire area, but we didn't find a
thing. How much money do we have?" Michael asked.
    "We're all right money-wise. Why?"
    "Because 1 know what we need to do next. Tomorrow
is Friday. A lot of the boys from the neighboring ranches
will be in town for a little rest and relaxation. I want to
ride in and spread the word that there is a reward for
information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the shooting."
    "How big a reward?"
    "A hundred and fifty dollars?" Michael suggested.
    "That's fine. We can offer more if we have to."

    "Let's start with the hundred and fifty and see what kind
of response we get."
    Elizabeth went to Michael and hugged him. "I am so
glad you're here. I don't know what I'd do without you.
If anybody can figure out a way to catch the bushwhacker, you will."
    Michael returned his mother's embrace as he shared a
determined look with Nick.
    "I never thought I'd be back in Hard Luck so soon," Nick
remarked as they rode into town late the following day.
    "Missed it, did you?"
    "The excitement here is hard to resist," he said wryly.
"Where did you want to start?"
    "I'm going to stop by the sheriff's office and tell him
what I plan to do."
    "Do you need me with you?"
    "No. Why?"
    "I was thinking that while you're doing that, I'll stop by
the general store and see about buying some clothes."
    "Go ahead. I'll meet you there after I talk to the sheriff.
Then we can head to the Sundown saloon."
    "How many saloons are there?"
    "I don't know anymore. We'll find out tonight."
    They parted company.
    It had been a slow day at the general store. Anne's parents
had gone home early, leaving her to close up. She had
taken care of all her chores and was sitting behind the
counter reading a dime novel as she waited for closing time. The novel was the latest by one of her favorite authors, Sheridan St. John. She loved St. John's stories. They
were romantic and exciting. Nothing like her own dull,
ordinary life. She was so enraptured with the fictional
characters' adventures that she didn't hear Nick come
into the store.

    "Anne?"
    " Anne gasped, startled by the interruption. She
looked up to find a tall, handsome cowboy standing at
the counter. It took her a second to recognize Nick as the
gentleman she'd met the other day. "Nick, it's you-" she
began, a little flustered.
    "Hello, Anne," he said, smiling at her. She was as pretty
as he remembered, and he was suddenly very glad he'd
come to town with Michael.
    "You sure look different today."
    "This is a change for me, that's for sure," he agreed.
"What do you think? Am I cowboy material?"
    "You had me fooled for a minute."
    "Is that good or bad?"
    "Good, of course."
    He found he was pleased with her answer. "I know it's
almost closing time, but--"
    "No, we're still open. What can I do for you? I just got
caught up reading this book and"
    "What are you reading?" Nick was curious.
    "It's called Arizona Captives, and it's wonderful..." She
stopped in mid-sentence and blushed when she realized
how excited she sounded.
    "It's a dime novel?"

    "Yes. They're my favorites, and I think Sheridan St. John
is the best writer ever."
    "I'll have to read one one of these days."
    "You've never read a dime novel?"
    "No. I'Ve been too busy studying at the university to
have any time to read for pleasure, but it's probably time
for me to start again."
    "You'll enjoy them. Men read them all the time. My
father likes these books a lot." Anne