Page 13 of A Whiskey River Princess

Blake leaned back against a tree and watched the fire. Soon, his gaze fell on Gabriella.

She let out a deep breath and turned over, hoping he would stay away from her. She knew that she had to get away from these awful men before they killed her… or something much worse. As she lay on the bedroll, shivering, she started making plans.

Perhaps she would take one of their guns for protection, or she could wait until Clayton took watch. She felt that he would be easy to knock out. Or maybe she could reason with him, play on his sympathies, and he would release her. He didn’t appear to be as bright as the others, which wasn’t saying much.

To her amazement, she heard snoring coming from Blake’s direction. Slowly, she looked around, and sure enough, Blake was leaning against a tree with his arms folded across his chest and his head was bent. He was asleep.

It was her chance.

Slowly, she looked around, but none of their guns were visible to her—except Blake’s, which was lying across his lap. And there was no way that she was going to chance waking him to get it. No, it was best if she got away as quickly as possible… alive.

The embers of the fire were dying, and she was sure that Blake would wake once it grew cold. She had to act now. Slowly, she stood up on the bedroll, but froze when Clayton smacked his lips together loudly and turned over. She looked over at Blake and Harley, and they were still fast asleep.

Gabriella stepped behind a tree as silently as possible and waited. When no one woke, she stepped backward as quietly as she could manage into the forest through the blinding snow. When she was a safe distance away, she ran. She had no idea where she was running to, but anywhere was better than with the likes of those three criminals.

As she ran, she stumbled and fell, scraping her hands. She got up and worked to untie her hands, and then she started running again. Gabriella would have taken off her shoes so she could run faster, but her feet would surely freeze.

As she ran, the snow blew harder against her coat. When Blake had wrapped it around her, she’d thought it was hideous, moth-ridden, and smelled musty. But now, it might just save her life.

She ran through the forest, illuminated by the moonlight shining across the snow, for what seemed like hours. Her hands and feet were freezing. If she didn’t find shelter soon, she was going to die.

Just when she thought she couldn’t take another step, candlelight streamed from a window, casting a golden glow over the snow from a house.

Gabriella thought she was hallucinating at first. But as she stepped closer, the bark of a dog told her that she wasn’t. She looked behind her and, miraculously, no one was following her. Blake and Clayton were probably exhausted from the three-day train ride and wouldn’t wake for a while. But Harley was another matter.

She quickly pushed the thought aside and stumbled up the wooden stairs to the door. She just hoped that whoever answered was better than the three criminals she left behind. She collapsed on the front porch, and ice pressed against her cheek as her eyes began to close. All of a sudden, a warm, wet tongue licked her cheek. She opened her eyes, and a goldenretriever was panting and smiling, licking her face. He scratched at the door, barked, and licked her face again. Then the golden light and warmth from inside the house flooded the porch. And for a moment, Gabriella wondered if she was in heaven.

Chapter 4

Dirk

Dirk had just arrived at home and was enjoying the fire, wondering if he should go into town in the morning. By the way it was howling outside, he was sure to be snowed in. And if he didn’t go in, Billy would open the livery stable for him. Also, Sheriff Clark usually stopped by first thing every morning to check in.

Dirk had just poured a steaming hot cup of coffee when he thought he heard something outside. He thought it was probably just the storm, but then Buster started barking.

Dirk pulled his rifle off its holder above the fireplace and cocked it as he walked slowly to the door. He heard footsteps, and then a loud thud on the porch. Next, Buster started whimpering and pawing at the door. Dirk just hoped nothing had happened to him.

He flung the door open and raised the rifle to his shoulder. But when he saw what… or who… was lying on the porch, his eyes widened in shock, and he quickly lowered his weapon. For lying on the porch, nearly frozen to death… was a woman.

“Oh my God!” Dirk quickly put down the gun and swept her into his arms. “You’re freezing!” He carried her inside and laid her on the sofa, knowing she needed the warmth of the fire to revive her. Buster followed him in and stood by her side, whimpering softly.

The woman’s hair was dark brown, almost black. Even though her hair was a stringy mess with leaves and twigs in it, she still looked beautiful. She wore a ratty, old coat and men’s clothes, uncharacteristic in contrast with her fine features. She opened her blue eyes and tried to focus on Dirk. “Please, help me, sir.”

“Shh.” Dirk pulled the afghan from the back of the couch, slid it over her, and then went to the hall closet to fetch two quilts. A moment later, he was back and covered her over. He looked down at her in wonder, taken aback by her beautiful French accent. Who in the world was she and how had she come to be on his front porch… in a blizzard? “Just warm up and get some rest. We’ll talk about it in the morning. You’re safe here. I promise.”

She nodded once, and then passed out, obviously from exhaustion as much as exposure.

Buster paced back and forth next to her, then stopped and licked her face.

“Go lie down, boy,” Dirk cooed as he rubbed his ears. “I’ll take care of her. Don’t worry.”

Buster lay down on the floor next to her, resting his face on his paws, a worried look in his eyes.

Dirk sat in the rocking chair, watching the woman sleep. She was quite beautiful. He wondered why she’d been out in the blizzard alone in the first place. Throughout the night, he stayed with her and kept the fire burning so she would keep warm.

She woke up once. “Here, drink this,” he coaxed, handing her a glass of water.

She quickly downed the whole glass. “Thank you,” she replied, and then closed her eyes again.

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