Bushedwhacked Groom by Eugenia Riley Read Free Book Online Page B

him up to make a run for it.
    Of course he had no transportation, and according to the lunatic Grandma, they didn’t even possess a car on this primitive farm. Should he steal a horse from the barn? He grimaced. To this day, horse thieves were looked on poorly everywhere in the West. At least they weren’t lynched on the spot anymore, although he didn’t doubt these kooks might string him up.
    Then he remembered about his wallet. He knew he had at least fifty dollars; surely he could leave that as “horse rental,” with perhaps a note promising to return the animal as soon as he got back to the Flying T. Yes, that was the best way to handle this crazy predicament.
    Lucky was still plotting his escape when he heard a shrill feminine voice yell, “You’re letting him what? All by his lonesome?”
    Without even contemplating the matter, Lucky knew this was the voice of his she-devil tormentor, Molly. A second later she burst out onto the porch, only to freeze at the sight of him in the tub. Lucky was tempted to jump up and strangle the minx; then he felt himself harden at the sight of her. She stood there so flushed and breathless, tendrils of auburn curls framing her face, her tight pants and shirt clinging to her shapely body. His outrage and horror were soon replaced by fascination and lust. Could she spot the heat in his eyes? He prayed she’d mistake it for anger.
    She recognized something all right, for she gulped, then drew her chin up proudly. “Don’t you go getting no thoughts of hightailing it, mister. I’ve got plans for you.”
    “You can take your plans and—”
    Even as Lucky was blessing her out, Grandma rushed out onto the porch with broom in hand. “Granddaugh ter, have you no sense of decorum?”
    Molly turned on her. “You left my affianced here alone where he could escape.”
    “I’m not your damn affianced!” Lucky yelled from the tub.
    Molly glared back.
    “Now look what you done,” Grandma scolded Molly. “You went and got him all worked up again. How’s he going to skedaddle, anyhow, him in the altogether and nekkid as a jaybird? You’re just a wicked girl aiming to have yourself a peek before the parson blesses your union.”
    To Lucky’s immense satisfaction, Molly blushed. “I am not!”
    Grandma switched her legs with the broom. “Get yourself inside, Granddaughter, before I give you a se rious brooming.”
    “Oh!” She dashed inside, chased by the broom- wielding Grandma.
    Before Lucky could even absorb this ridiculous happening, Jessica stepped outside again, expression contrite. “Lucky, I’m so sorry about the intrusion. I’ve tried to raise my daughter properly, but she has her fa ther’s blood flowing in her veins as well, I’m afraid. You know, when I first arrived here, back in the year 1888—”
    “Eighteen eighty-eight!” Lucky gasped.
    “—Mr. Reklaw interrupted my bath, too.” She winked. “Could be that Destiny does have something in mind for you and my daughter.”
    Lucky could only stare at her.
    With a knowing smile, Jessica turned to leave, and Lucky shook his head. So much for Jessica being a kin dred spirit. These folks were all sky western crazy.
    Then Grandma lumbered out with a steamy bucket— a very steamy bucket. Who in hell would charge in next? A welcoming committee from town—wherever that was?
    “Sorry ‘bout my granddaughter’s manners,” Grandma muttered, wiping her sweaty brow.
    “She has manners?” Lucky scoffed.
    She offered a crooked grin. “Thought you could use a mite more hot water as a sort of peace offering.”
    Lucky half-panicked. That water looked really hot. “No, ma’am, I’m fine, I’m . . . aaaaaaaah! Sheeeeeat !”
    After pouring out the scorching brew, Grandma was already happily plodding away. “Told you it would make you feel better, young fella.”
    Lucky was gasping, struggling to recover from his near scalding, when a large calico cat, obviously quite pregnant, crept out onto the porch and meowed