Page 7 of Hard Bounty

They rode on and he said, “Alright. Here is good.”

The trail wasn’t very wide, with trees on either side, making it a bit claustrophobic. That’s the way it was in much of southeastern Indian Territory. The region was dense with forest.

But this small clearing to their right proved the perfect place to get off the path. At least if someone else happened by along the narrow way, they wouldn’t be blocking them.

“Do I have your word that you won’t run?” he asked her.

“Yes, sir.”

He studied her for a moment. “I want to afford you some privacy, ma’am. I realize this is mighty peculiar, you being a lady and me being a man. Truth be told, you’re the first woman fugitive I’ve ever apprehended.”

“I’m not a fugitive!” she shot back defensively.

He didn’t have time to sit around and argue with her. But, he said, “You’re wanted by the law and you ran. That, by definition, makes you a fugitive. But let’s not get caught up on that. Just do what needs doing and let’s get back on the trail.” He cleared his throat. “As I was saying, though, I want to give you privacy. But this only works if you obey the rules. And those rules are—”

“Stay close and don’t run,” she said. “I got it.”

“Don’t interrupt me,” he said. “And I’ve got another rule for you. Watch where you squat. There are snakes all out in these woods. You don’t want one biting you on your…” He trailed off, suddenly embarrassed as to what he’d almost said.

“Yes, sir,” she said. “And I’m sorry I interrupted. That was impolite of me.”

He wasn’t sure if he believed her sincerity. His gut told him she was trying to play him. The fact that she’d popped her top button while he wasn’t looking wasn’t lost on him. He didn’t want to draw attention to it, though. That’s what she wanted, after all.

“Just do what you need to do. And know I’ll be right here waiting. With this.” He tapped the rifle that protruded from his saddle boot.

Again, threatening a woman left a bile taste in his mouth, but he was the lawman, after all, and she was the fugitive. He couldn’t let her gender and beauty cloud his judgement.

“I’ll hurry, sir. But I’m just going to go far enough so that you can’t see me. Is that okay?”

He nodded. “The trees are thick. You won’t have to go very far. I suggest you don’t.”

She nodded back and carefully dismounted the horse and scampered toward the tree line.

As he watched her go, he couldn’t help but admire her beauty, even though he hated doing so. He also couldn’t help but wonder where her life had taken such a wrong turn.

What was a gorgeous woman like her doing out on the trail, being hauled into court by a United States Marshal? Was it a lack of good parenting in her upbringing?

Was it the lack of a good man?

Perhaps if she’d had a strong husband who wasn’t afraid to take her over his knee and help continue her education in right and wrong, she wouldn’t be in this mess now.

That wasn’t any of his business, though. Still, he couldn’t help but lament the fact that she’d thrown in with outlaws. Her place was in a home, being a dutiful wife and a caring mother. She needed a strong, loving man who could be stern when he needed to be.

But again, that wasn’t any of his business. And he needed to let go of such notions and just focus on the job at hand.

So, he emptied his brain and sat there atop his horse, waiting.

And waiting.

Soon, it became clear something was wrong

He was going to have to go into those woods.

Damn it all to hell.

Chapter Five

Mary didn’t waste any time once she was out of the deputy’s sight.

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