Ellie's Legacy by Ginger Simpson Read Free Book Online Page B

humiliated
her, why didn’t he just ride on? She grasped her weapon tightly, keeping it
aimed at the ground but ready to use.
    Jeb closed the distance between them. He stopped
uncomfortably close and leered down at her. “You know, I’ve never liked a sassy
woman.”
    Despite the knot in the pit of her stomach, she squared her
shoulders and returned his stare. “I’m sorry to hear that. I suggest if you
don’t like me, then stay away.” Brave words from a body whose
insides quivered.
    His large hand snaked out and cupped her chin. He bent
slightly, allowing his fetid alcohol breath to wash over her before his lips
curled into a feral smile. His fingers held her face straight and his voice
became a whisper. “A woman like you needs to be green-broke—tamed just enough
to leave a little wild streak. I aim to be the one to do it. You best be nice
to me cuz my brother ain’t here to save you this time.”
    No, but she had something just as effective. Ellie yanked
free of his grasp and leveled her gun at his midsection. “Get your hands off
me. I might have missed the bull’s-eye at twenty paces, but I’m betting I could
hit the mark at this range.”
    Jeb’s eyes widened. He took two steps back and raised his
hands. “Whoa! I was just havin’ a little fun with ya.”
    “I don’t consider being man-handled fun.” She glared at him.
    A twig snapped behind her. She wrenched her head around,
taking her eyes off Jeb long enough for him to grab her gun and pull her into
his arms. She struggled to free herself, but the more she fought, the tighter
his grasp.
    “I guess I should thank your horse for distractin’ you.
There ain’t nobody here but you and me.”
    Horrible pictures flashed through Ellie’s mind. What a fool
she was to think he posed no threat to her. Her strength was no match for
Jeb’s, and now he held her gun. She fought the welling panic and tried to stay
focused.
    “You know, if anything happens to me, you’re going to be the
first person my Pa and his men come after. You’d better let me go.” She prayed
her words would scare him enough to do just that.
    Jeb’s arm tightened, making it hard for Ellie to breathe.
Her threat apparently made him angrier as his lips disappeared into a thin
line. “I ain’t scared of your Pa. I could kill you and hide your body in that
there mineshaft if I was a mind to. The animals would have your bones picked
clean by the time anyone found you. Lucky for you I’m in a charitable mood
today.”
    The thought of creatures rending her flesh sickened her. She
had to think of a way out of this mess. If she could keep him talking, maybe
she’d concoct a plan. “Well what do you want, if not to kill me?” Immediately
she wanted to kick herself for asking such a stupid question. She’d seen that
hungry look in his eyes one too many times. She tried a different approach. “I
promise, if you let me go I won’t tell anyone about this.”
    He released her revolver, letting it thud to the ground, and
moved his hand to boldly cup her breast. His eyes locked with hers. “Just let
this be a warning to you,” he muttered. “My Pa’s gonna make an offer on
Fountainhead, and it’s in your best interest to convince your Pa to sell. The
next time you and I meet, I might not be so nice.”
    She turned her face away, eyeing her gun and wishing she
could reach it. How dare Jeb take liberties with her body? She had to do
something. Struggling, she managed to turn within his grasp and kick, bringing
her right boot hard into his shin.
    “Damn you, bitch,” he yelled,
shoving her to the ground.
    Ellie fell to her knees. Her hat flew off, and her hair
spilled over her face. She quickly pushed her wayward locks back and warily
glanced up. Now that she’d taunted the wasp, would he sting her?
    Jeb bent and rubbed his leg, then without a word, limped
over and mounted his horse. To her surprise, once in the saddle, he doffed his
hat. “Nice seeing you, Miz Fountain. You can be