Page 20 of Hard Bounty

“Going somewhere?”

Mary gasped, spun around, and saw John standing there.

“Uh. I was…checking on you…to make sure you’re okay.”

“Mr. Reilly just let you out?”

She nodded. “Sure did. Said I should go and see if you’re…hey, we’ve wasted a lot of time. Let’s get on horseback and light a shuck out of here.”

John had an eyebrow arched skeptically. “You’re in a hurry to get to Fort Smith now, are you?”

She spread her hands. “No reason to delay the inevitable. I’m ready to face the courts, sir.”

He sighed, shook his head, and stepped closer. “You’ve told multiple lies since entering this stable, little lady. Not to mention you were trying to escape. After you broke out of that storeroom somehow.”

“I didn’t break out!” she cried.

As if on cue, Mr. Reilly skidded into the stable, huffing and puffing, saying, “Marshal! Marshal! I’m afraid the prisoner…” His eyes fell to Mary and he said, “Good. You got her. I’m sorry. She somehow opened that door and got free.” He shook his head in clear exasperation. “I wish we had a good jail in this town! One with ironclad bars where you could lock this lawbreaker away from decent society!”

Mary stood there, watching as John sized her up. It was obvious the wheels were turning in his mind. What was he thinking?

“Mr. Reilly, we don’t need a jail for her. A woodshed would do. You got one of those around here?”

Mary gasped even louder this time, covering her mouth.

“Oh, yes! Yes, sir, we sure do! Why, you can use the one behind my house. It’s just right over there.” He pointed toward one of the barn’s walls, indicating his residence wasn’t far away beyond that on the other side.

“You wouldn’t!” Mary told John.

But he already had her by the elbow, guiding her out of the stable.

“I sure would,” he said.

Mary groaned. It was time to take her comeuppance.

Chapter Thirteen

“This is improper! It’s…scandalous!” Mary yelled.

She was draped over John’s lap, her dress up and bloomers down, her bare bottom displayed before the man and providing an easy target.

“Think about what you’re doing to my honor!” she tried.

“I don’t reckon you have much of that left, little girl, so there’s no need to worry about it.”

Mary thought of arguing but realized it wouldn’t do any good. She did wiggle, though, trying to twist free, but John had one of his arms draped firmly across her back, holding her in place.

“Consorting with outlaws,” he continued. “Breaking out of custody. Lying.” He snorted. “You’ve been lying through your teeth the whole dang time we’ve been together, little girl.

“Did your parents spare the rod growing up or what? Because you sure haven’t learned right from wrong.”

She gritted her teeth and growled, “That’s none of your business!”

“Well,” he said, “you either weren’t taught or didn’t pay attention. And you sure haven’t had a good husband to keep you in line and invest in your discipline.”

Kicking her legs, she tried to wiggle free once again. But it was no use. John had her clamped down good.

“You’re not going anywhere, little missy. Now, be a good girl and learn your lesson. It’s long overdue!”

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