Page 17 of Redeeming the Outlaw
She nodded, disappointment sinking in her chest. After finishing her meal, she handed her plate back to Austin. “Do you do all the cooking?”
“For now. Brodie said Ma was bringing someone to help with the chores, and then I can start riding.”
“Hmm.” Esther wondered if the someone was her. “You look really young to be an outlaw.”
Austin puffed out his chest. “I’m sixteen.”
She studied the eager young man before her. Sixteen was still so young, barely more than a boy.What circumstances had led him to fall in with Brodie’s gang?
“If you don’t mind me asking, how did you end up here?” she ventured gently.
His face clouded over, his eyes dropping to stare at the ground. “My pa got killed last year. Shot down by a no-good card cheat after winning big at the saloon. Ma couldn’t manage the farm on her own, so we lost it. I had to take care of her and my sisters.”
Esther felt a pang of sympathy for the boy. He was just trying to help his family, misguided as he was. She thought of her ownloving parents and her warm bed, a world away from this rough camp.
“There are always better choices, Austin,” she whispered. “You seem like a dutiful son. You don’t have to go down this path.”
Austin shook his head, his jaw tightening. “It ain’t that simple. Brodie gave us food and shelter when we had nothing. I owe him.”
“Don’t be putting ideas in the boy’s head now,” Snake said, his voice low and dangerous as he strode over. Esther shrank back under his menacing glare but refused to look away.
Before the confrontation could escalate further, the thunder of approaching hooves drew everyone’s attention. A horse burst into the clearing, its rider leaning low over the galloping animal. Esther’s breath caught as she recognized Whit’s muscular form astride the stallion. His jaw clenched, eyes blazing, as he reined the horse to a stop in the center of camp.
“Where’s Brodie?” he demanded. When no one answered right away, he swung himself down and strode through the camp, his piercing eyes searching for Brodie. Esther watched him, her heart quickening at his sudden return. His jaw was tight, his movements swift and purposeful. Something had happened out there this morning. Something which put the stormy look in his eyes.
“Where is he?” Whit barked again, grabbing a man by the shirt.
The man sputtered in fear. “He... he rode out right after you left.”
Whit released the man and began pacing, raking a hand through his dark hair.
Esther longed to comfort him, but she held back, unsure ofher place among these dangerous men. She watched as he raked his hand through his dark hair in frustration, his piercing blue eyes filled with an intensity which both thrilled and frightened her.
Just then, the thunder of approaching hooves drew everyone’s attention once more. A lone rider galloped into the camp; his horse was lathered in sweat. Esther recognized him as one of Brodie’s men.
“Boss is coming, and he ain’t happy,” the man said breathlessly as he swung down from his horse. “Someone shot the youngest Richards brother, Earl, last night over at Junction Flats.”
A murmur went through the men, and Esther saw Whit’s jaw clench even harder.Did he shoot Brodie’s brother?
She knew she needed to do something, as she didn’t want to be caught in the crossfire if Brodie came back to camp looking for a reckoning.
Looking around, she spotted a stack of pots and dishes near the remains of last night’s fire.
“Let me help you clean up, Austin,” she offered, picking up the stack of dishes and heading toward the bushes and the rushing water she heard beyond the trees.
“Where are you going?” Snake asked, grabbing her by the arm.
“Let go of me!” Esther flinched as Snake’s grip tightened on her arm, dropping the dishes as she tried to escape his grasp. She glanced around desperately, hoping one of the other men would intervene, but they all looked away uneasily.
All except Whit. In two swift strides, he was at Esther’s side, his jaw clenched in barely contained fury.
“Let her go,” he ordered Snake in a low, dangerous tone.When Snake didn’t immediately comply, Whit seized the man’s arm in a bruising grip. “I said, let her go. Now.”
With a glare, Snake released Esther. She quickly stepped back, putting distance between herself and the volatile man. Her heart pounded as she stroked her sore arm. She hadn’t realized how strong Snake was until he’d grabbed her. The man’s strength was frightening.
“You touch her again, and you’ll be on the receiving end of Old Henry. You understand me?” Whit said evenly, his piercing eyes never leaving Snake.
Snake started walking backwards. “Brodie asked me to watch her on account of Ma arriving. Where have you been?”
