White Wolf by Susan Edwards Read Free Book Online Page B

hold, grateful the threat had worked—not that he’d have carried it out. He knew firsthand, from his years as a reluctant boarder in the white man’s school, how demeaning corporal punishment was. Staring down at his unwanted captive, he wondered what to do with him. Who was in charge of this cub?
    “Touch me, and my brother James will tear your hide into strips.”
    Wolf narrowed his eyes. There was something familiar about the kid glaring at him. “What’s your name?”
    “Jessie,” came the low reply.
    Something tugged at the back of his mind. He’d heard that name before. Then it dawned on him. Yesterday, at Lolita’s window, the dark-haired rider who’d nearly run over the young ladies. Yes, he was sure this was the mischief-maker, yet seeing him up close, there was something else that was familiar. He narrowed his eyes, concentrating on the dirty face and the glaring green eyes.
    Recognition dawned. It was the eyes and hair that gave away the boy’s identity. The spunky and foolish kid bore a definite likeness to James Jones, the man hired to be in charge of the cattle. He grimaced when he recalled hearing that all the Jones boys—except James—had quick tempers.
    Wolf noted the lateness of the evening and wondered why the boy was wandering the streets of Westport. From what he’d seen, Jessie ran unsupervised a great deal of the time. Well, he’d let Jessie’s parents know about this latest stunt. They could have been burying their son come the new day. “Where’s your pa?”
    “Dead.”
    “Your ma?”
    “Same.”
    Frustrated, but not willing to turn him loose, Wolf frowned. “Who’s in charge of you? Grandparents?”
    “What do you care? You’re taking my brothers away from me. If I never see them again, it’ll be your fault.”
    “What the hell are you talking about?”
    “You hired my brothers to go to Oregon. If they go, I go. You don’t have the right to separate us. We’re family. Families stick together.”
    Wolf noted the glittering sheen of moisture in the boy’s green eyes and wished he knew exactly what was going on. He could have sworn Able had said there were only three brothers, the same ones he’d hired to drive Able’s cattle west, but there was no doubting this boy’s identity. A slow-burning anger simmered deep inside him. He remembered how it felt to be separated from family, and from what Jessie said, it was obvious James wasn’t planning on taking him to Oregon.
    He couldn’t blame the boy for being angry. Setting his jaw, Wolf pulled Jessie toward the inky darkness outside the barn. “You and I are going to find James and get some answers.” Jessie struggled and protested but Wolf tightened his grip. But before he reached the door, James Jones burst into the barn. “Dammit, Jessie,” he shouted, “what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Chapter Four
    At the sound of her brother’s furious voice, Jessie froze. Her startled gaze shifted past Wolf’s broad shoulders to James, who stood in the dark opening of the barn, feet widespread and fists shoved onto his hips. He glared at her, his brows pulled into a tight vee.
    Oh, Lord, she was in for it now. She’d pushed her even-tempered brother too far this time. Of all her brothers, James seldom lost control, but when he did, she’d swear Hell heard him hollering. She moved slightly behind Wolf; moments before he had been the enemy, but now he seemed a safer haven.
    Wolf released one of her wrists, keeping the other firmly encircled with his long brown fingers. “About time you came looking to see what trouble young Jess is getting into. Saves me from hunting you down.”
    Wolf’s annoyance hung heavy in the dark silence. Jessie glanced from one man to the other, noting twin aggressive stances of fisted hands and set jaws. She groaned softly. How had things gone so wrong? All she’d wanted was to convince Wolf to let her go to Oregon with her family, but she’d let her temper get the best of her.