Page 18 of Redeeming the Outlaw
“None of your business. If Brodie wanted you to know, he would have told you himself.” Turning to Austin, Whit pointed to the dishes on the ground. “Pick those up and help Esther get them cleaned up. From now on, she’ll do the cooking and cleaning. We’ll need another rider if Earl is down.”
Esther curled her fingers, but the temptation was too strong. She reached for the arm of his leather coat. “Whit...”
“Don’t question me, Esther. Your place is to feed the men and make sure there is always hot coffee on the fire.”
Esther bit her lip, swallowing back the sharp retort on the tip of her tongue. As much as it grated on her pride to be given such menial tasks, she knew she was in no position to argue. Not if she wanted to stay safe and eventually escape from this camp.
Esther’s heart sank as Whit issued his orders to the men around the fire to prepare for Brodie’s return.
“Yes, sir,” she mumbled to his back, as she bent to pick up the fallen dishes, her cheeks flaming in embarrassment and disappointment.
Perhaps she could slip away while washing up at the creek.They would watch her closely, at least at first. She needed to gain their trust, make them see her as meek and compliant.
Austin quickly moved to help her gather the tin plates and cups scattered across the dusty ground.
“I’m really sorry, ma’am,” the boy mumbled. “Whit’s just trying to protect you best he can. Snake is... well, he ain’t right in the head. We all steer clear of him when we can.”
Esther nodded, keeping her eyes downcast as she stacked dishes in her arms. She didn’t trust herself to speak. Her throat felt tight with emotions she couldn’t fully process. Anger flamed inside her at being treated like a servant and sadness over Whit’s apparent indifference. She couldn’t put aside the fear of the dangerous men surrounding her.
As Esther gazed into the dwindling fire, she couldn’t help but wonder how long she had been living with the outlaws. Time had become a blur in this new, dangerous world she found herself in.
Ma Richards and four mysterious strangers only added to her unease. The group consisted of three outlaws who disappeared alongside Brodie, as well as a woman named Libby, who opted to remain with Ma and engage in flirtatious behavior toward the cowboys in the camp.
Brodie called them cousins, but Esther couldn’t shake off the feeling they were hiding something. To make matters worse, Whit’s promotion as Brodie’s second-in-command meant she saw him even less now.
The men took turns watching her. Their hardened faces softened slightly as they patted her head like a little girl, but sheknew it was just a guise to keep her under control.
If she could escape, where would she run to? The gang had moved to a new hideout, deeper in the woods. They blindfolded Esther, tying her hands together before leading her horse to the new location. She was completely helpless and disoriented by the time they arrived at their new hiding place.
Mostly, Whit disappointed her. It didn’t appear he was even trying to return her back home. She couldn’t fathom why he hadn’t tried to contact her parents or take her home, and each passing day only deepened her confusion and unease.
She resented not being able to spend as much time with him, and when he came to camp, she baited Whit every chance she could, hoping he would kiss her senseless again.
“Esther,” called a sturdy voice, breaking her from her thoughts. Ma Richards approached, her heavy boots crunching against the dirt. Libby trailed behind, resembling a graceful doe with her long dark hair and slender frame. Her green dress fluttered around her ankles like a whispering breeze.
“Evening, Ma,” Esther replied softly. She tried calling the older woman Mrs. Richards, but everyone called her Ma. Esther complied not to draw attention from the rest of the gang.
“Thought you might like some company,” Ma said, settling down beside her on a log. Libby followed suit, her eyes darting around the camp smiling as the men stared at her.
“Thank you,” Esther murmured, her gaze returning to the fire, her fingers twisting nervously in the folds of her skirt. “I was just taking a break from drying the dishes.”
“You were thinking about your man,” Ma chuckled. “I don’t blame you there.”
Esther quickly picked up a dish and dried it with a sack cloth before adding it to the stack on a log. “I noticed Whit and Tomhaven’t come back.”
“They had some business in town.”
Esther’s ears perked up. “Town? Are we close to town?”
Ma sighed, her breath stirring the gray strands of hair escaping her bonnet. “It’s a fair ride, but don’t you worry yourself none. You are perfectly safe here. My boys will protect you. Libby, grab a towel and help Esther dry the last of those dishes.”
“I served everyone dinner. My work is done.” She turned her head to the fire. “I might see what else I can do tonight.”
“After the dishes are dry, you can go have your fun.”
Libby pouted but grabbed a dish and the corner of the towel. “Let’s get them done.”
“It’s all right, Libby,” Esther said, reaching for another dish. “You go have your fun. I’ll just finish these up, and then I’m headed to bed.”
