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    A Desperado's Bride (Book Fourteen of the Brides of the West)
    A Desperado's Bride (Book Fourteen of the Brides of the West)
    A Desperado's Bride (Book Fourteen of the Brides of the West)
    Ebook284 pages3 hours

    A Desperado's Bride (Book Fourteen of the Brides of the West)

    By Rita Hestand

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    Chance Montgomery changed his name when he came back to Carterville. he was now Jace Harrison! He had an old score to settle and he'd be moving on. Rebecca was dead and they took his land from his folks long ago, After ten years of riding the other side of the law, he wanted to rectify justice. Jenny Carter was Rebecca's sister. She'd been a kid the last time Jace had seen her, but she wasn't a kid now. She;d grown into a beautiful young woman. Jace felt responsible for her somehow, the memories tore at his heartstrings. He couldn't image the sweet little girl he'd known working in a saloon. He'd take care of her, and get her out of that saloon. She didn't belong there. He was going to makes some changes in his life. Jenny was sure Jace was still madly in love with her sister's memory. But she'd do anything to keep him on the right side of the law, for she had long ago lost her heart to him.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRita Hestand
    Release dateOct 31, 2016
    ISBN9781311543455
    A Desperado's Bride (Book Fourteen of the Brides of the West)
    Author

    Rita Hestand

    Hi friendsI'd like to ask a favor, not just for me but for all writers. PLease when we offer a free book, it would be wonderful if you'd take the time to rate the book. This doesn't take much time out of your day and authors really apreciate your time to do this. I know not everyone wants to sit down and write a review, but rating the book will help as well. And a big thanks to all who do this. You never know how much an author appreciates you taking the time to do this.I finally finished The Car Stalker. Hope you'll check it out. This is the second book in the stalker series. Like I said mystery is much different from romance all though there are elements in romance in my stalker books too. Today I finished an another book in my series of Vets coming home, Better Every Day. This book takes the angle of when family interrupts your plans. When a one-night stand is much more. I love this story as it hits home. So two new books out now and more coming.I'm taking the time to write while confined at home. But lack of seeing people outside, and living alone all the time is not new to me. I've got lots of stories to tell so be on the lookout for my newest releases. You might check out my Searchin g for You Indian romance on Amazon too.There are several new free books for you enjoyment, since your stuck at home. Home you enjoy them.As for a bio, suffice it to say, I'm a Texan tried and true. I have grown children and grandchildren and already some great-grandchildren. I've done multi jobs in my lifetime giving me a variety of experiences to write and talk about. I've done many different kinds of work from Texas Instruments, to City of Garland, to working for the Wylie Independent School District. I've worked for a hat factory, filing insurance claims, secretarial work, to waitress work. My writing reflects my varied background. Another note I've had a in home day care for twenty years too. So when I write about something I have a general knowledge of it too, which is a real bonus for me. Just like my public work, my writing varies too from contemporary to historical, I write romance, thrillers, children's. A lot of people might say gee, that's a lot of different jobs, and it is, but, I've learned from them all, and I use that experience in my writing.I want to thank all the readers over a length of time that have tried some of my books. I hope I've enlightened and entertained you. I hope I've shared some love in this world. Sharing love can't be bad, it's God given.God bless.Other places to see my bookshttps://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/rita-hestand/https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/rita-hestand/id365799219?mt=11www.scriptsforschools.com/rita-hestandhttps://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/search?query=rita%20hestand&fcsearchfield=author

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      Book preview

      A Desperado's Bride (Book Fourteen of the Brides of the West) - Rita Hestand

      A Desperado's Bride

      A Desperado's Bride

      (Brides of the West Book Fourteen)

      Rita Hestand

      Copyright© 2016 by Rita Hestand

      All Rights Reserved

      Cover Design by: Sheri McGathy

      License Note

      This book, A Desperado's Bride is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without express written permission of the author. If you did not purchase this book or it was not purchased for your use, please go to Smashwords.com to purchase your personal copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      A Desperado's Bride is a work of fiction. Though some of the cities and towns actually exist they are used in a fictitious manner for purposes of this work. All characters are works of fiction and any names or characteristics like any person past, present or future are coincidental.

      ~Dedication~

      Sometimes people get off to the wrong start, have bad breaks in life. They aren't bad people, but they might make bad decisions or have some strange circumstance. To all of you out there under this yolk, I say there is hope, if you want it. Find yourself a good mate, and work on changing your circumstances. Don't be a desperado any longer.

      God Bless

      Rita Hestand

      Table of Contents

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Twelve

      Chapter Thirteen

      Chapter Fourteen

      Chapter Fifteen

      Chapter Sixteen

      Chapter Seventeen

      Chapter Eighteen

      Chapter Nineteen

      Chapter Twenty

      Chapter Twenty-One

      Chapter Twenty-Two

      Chapter Twenty-Three

      Chapter Twenty-Four

      Chapter Twenty-Five

      Chapter Twenty-Six

      Chapter Twenty-Seven

      About the Author

      Rita's Other Books

      Books in the Series

      Heart of a Family

      Delivering the Bride

      Heart of a Woman

      Wanted Bride

      This Side of Forever

      Shotgun Bride

      A Love as big as Texas

      Heart of a Captive

      Wherever my Heart Roams

      In the Arms of an Angel

      Bride from Shenandoah

      Falling for the Bride

      An Unexpected Welcome

      A Desperado's Bride

      The Filly & the Gambler

      The Lady Train

      Comes a Hero.

      An Unescorted Lady

      And Here I'll Stay

      South of the Pecos,

      1881 Texas

      Chapter One

      Chance Montgomery pushed the swinging doors to the side, standing there holding them open while he sized up the room. The Lady Belle Saloon was a big wide-open place, with slow moving fans in the ceiling and a bar as long as one whole wall. There were multiple chairs, a pool table, and a sitting area. He walked with a definite swagger toward the bar, bold and controlling, his hands in easy access of his gun.

      As his gaze swept the room slowly, he eyed each table he passed. At the center table two cowboys sat drinking beer and talking. A man with a bowler hat sat at the piano, playing a few sour notes with a few of the good ones. Tension eased within him as he spotted a beautiful girl at the end of the bar, staring at him. With light brown hair and wide gray-green eyes that a man couldn't forget, she gave the impression of sadness, somehow. There was something faintly familiar about her, but until he could place her, he wouldn't speak to her. He silently wondered if he had known her once.

      He ambled up to the bar, leaning on his elbow, he glanced around the room again.

      He laid a coin on the bar, the coin spun, and he tapped it with his hand.

      No one recognized him, that was understandable, he'd grown his hair out, until it was long, over his shoulders and he wore a mustache and beard now. He'd probably grown a couple of inches since he'd been here last. A few glanced his way, some stared, but no one recognized him, and no one spoke to him. He waited for the bartender to take notice, as he began to relax.

      A little boy of about four or five came rushing into the saloon. His face was flushed obviously from running. He looked like a miniature cowboy, with a big hat on his head, and worn-out scuffed boots. He couldn't reach the bar, so he ran around it and looked at the bartender. I need to buy some milk. He said in a small voice.

      The bartender ignored him too.

      But the girl at the end of the bar saw him and bent to her knees. Gabe, what are you doing in here? The young woman asked her voice soft and full of patience.

      I gotta get some milk for Thomas.

      Milk? The woman asked.

      Yeah, Mama's milk dried up, so I gotta gets some milk. I got some pennies do you think I got enough? He produced about a nickel's worth of pennies and placed them in her hand. The look on his face said he knew it wouldn't, but he had no choice but to try.

      The woman looked at his meager few pennies and went behind the bar to get the milk. She poured it into a small clean bucket and handed it to him.

      He put the pennies in her hand, she smiled and took them. Thank you, young man, now be sure and tell her if she needs more to let me know.

      The boy smiled and winked at her and scooted under the door, careful to set the bucket down as he moved.

      When she went to put the pennies in the register though the bartender bit her head off. That ain't enough to pay for that milk. What did you give that kid milk for? You know we don't serve kids here. We ain't servin' no charity cases here.

      The woman narrowed her eyes with a sudden frown and placed her hands on her hips, Because he's a kid, and his mother needs to feed her baby. Babies must eat no matter how poor they are Leroy. You want to starve a baby for a little milk?

      She reached into the top of her dress and pulled out a small purse and took out the money to pay for the milk. Next time that boy comes in here for milk, you give it to him, Leroy. Mary can't pay for the milk, her husband left her with four kids to take care of. And she hasn't been eating. That's why she doesn't have any milk. I'll pay for it if he doesn't have the money, understand? She moved away from him.

      We don't serve kids in here, and especially milk. Leroy snapped. I don't want him thinking he can come in here and get what he needs all the time.

      Leroy, we serve them now! She said holding her head high and smirking at him. And if he'd have asked for beer, you probably wouldn't have said a word. Why don't you try to be a little more human? The woman shook her head with disgust.

      Chance watched her, fascinated with her good deed. He hadn't seen anything like that in ages. It warmed his heart. But it was the woman he stared at, small, delicate boned, with a perfect figure and a face he'd never forget. Or had he? He'd swear he knew her from somewhere.

      Shrugging the warm fuzzy feeling away, he turned his thoughts inward now.

      He'd do what he came to do and leave this place and never come back. He'd thought of this place as a hellhole. Carterville, they called it. After old man Carter. Chance wondered about him. Nothing had happened to change his opinion of this town, except that woman's act of kindness. It was so unexpected. So out of place in a town like this. But then, maybe things had changed here in Carterville.

      Beer, he told the bartender who slowly meandered down the length of the bar. The man was in no hurry. He was a burly man of fifty or more, with dark hair parted down the middle and a handlebar mustache, and an apron tied around him, he looked intelligent and knowledgeable, but uncompromising too.

      Sure. The bartender poured him a beer and left him without a word. Chance thought most bartenders were friendly, but not this one.

      A drunk over in the dark corner of the room glared at him, and a man in an impeccable suit kept glancing his way. One looked as though he'd just stepped on his foot, and the other looked as though he wanted to sell him something. Chance cared for neither.

      He looked at the bartender and finished his beer. Hank Hardin around?

      The bartender stared at him strangely. I imagine he'd be at his ranch this time of day.

      Would that be the old Montgomery place? Chance asked staring at the man, wondering if the name would jar him.

      Montgomery. Hank has had that place a good ten years or more. Don't know any Montgomery's. I only moved here about five years ago, so anything before that is a mystery to me, mister.

      Chance nodded, Thanks, for the beer, then.

      He drank it slowly, staring back at the drunk and the gentleman. As he finished his beer, he slammed the glass on the bar, and began walking out.

      Chance felt the swinging doors tap him on the back as he walked away. Ambling out into the sunlight, he stopped when he heard a voice behind him. A nice, soft feminine voice.

      Mister, a woman called from behind him on the boardwalk.

      Chance turned around and the dancehall girl stood staring at him. She sure was pretty, and something stirred inside him just looking at her. Strange, he hadn't reacted to a woman in a long time. Such an instant attraction was not common with Chance. He'd learned to control his urges in that respect. Or he thought he had.

      Aren't you Chance Montgomery?

      He stood staring at all the curves and beauty of the woman, small but perfect came to mind. High pouting breasts, a slim waist, and a curve to her hips made him lick his lips. He certainly wasn't against being friendly.

      He squinted from the sunlight staring him in the face, he pulled his hat lower to shade his eyes. The satin of her gown caught the flash from the sun and nearly blinded him.

      Do I know you? You look somehow familiar.

      He could see the disappointment in her eyes even from this distance. That same disappointment registered in his memory. You don't recognize me, do you? She said in a soft voice.

      Should I? He kept trying to recall but nothing came to mind.

      She shrugged. I guess not. I'm Rebecca's sister, she said softly.

      Reb…. her sister? Why, you were just a kid, last time I saw you! Jenny, isn't it? He smiled at her. You were only eleven or twelve the last time I saw you. No wonder I didn't recognize you.

      His voice was friendly now, his face turned into a smile she hadn't expected, obviously.

      Yeah, time has a funny way of changing things, doesn't it? She asked, wrapping a light shawl around her shoulders.

      What were you doing in there? He pointed to the saloon with his head.

      I work there. She said simply, coming closer.

      "Work there? Why would you work in a saloon?" He asked wide eyed and coming closer the dismay registering on his handsome face.

      She hung her head and no longer looked him in the eyes. I wasn't sure it was you. You've grown a head of hair and a beard and mustache since the last time I saw you too. You been gone a long time. She gave him a quick once over. I work there because my father died of a heart attack not long after Rebecca died. Mom was already gone. I was the only one left and the house wasn't paid for, so I lost it. They evicted me. Threw me out. And after a while, I started working there.

      But a saloon, honey, that's not for the likes of you! His voice went low and husky.

      She batted her lashes slowly, as though absorbing those words. Oh, I tried a lot of things before I resorted to the saloon, running a freight wagon, working on a farm, Even waited on tables a time or two. But at thirteen I was a bit awkward. At the time, nothing stuck…but that. She explained her brow going up as though he should have known all this. Nothing paid well enough to pay my bills. I had to eat, and I needed a roof over my head.

      How long you been working there? He asked, as though not pleased with the information.

      Long enough. Her mouth twisted when she said it.

      She came to stand beside him now. Her eyes going over him thoroughly.

      Have you eaten today? He asked suddenly.

      No, why?

      Let's go get something to eat. He encouraged her. I'm hungry.

      Are you buying? She asked.

      Sure, a smile curled his lips. Come on. The easy comraderies shocked them both, as they glanced into each other's eyes. He grabbed her hand and led her over to George's café.

      She stared at his hand, as though the gesture to take her hand was strange to her.

      It was a small place, but the food was good, at least he remembered it used to be.

      But a Mexican was running it now and he offered them a couple of burritos and some hot link sausages. Chance frowned. Mexican food this early in the morning didn't appease his appetite. He was definitely a ham and eggs kind of man. Would you happen to have some ham and eggs with coffee? He asked.

      Sure Señor.

      Just some bacon and biscuits for me, Jenny told him, With coffee.

      The coffee was great, and Chance drank the first cup down quickly, waiting for the cup to be refilled. He didn't say anything at first, he had to have time to assimilate what she'd told him.

      George doesn't own it any longer, huh? he asked her, eyeing her over the rim of the cup, and glancing up at the Mexican who scrambled into the kitchen to fetch his order.

      He couldn't quite get over the fact that she had filled out so much. Although small, her waist was tiny, her breast plump and high, her hips flared. Perfect, his mind echoed. He drew breath. He remembered Rebecca being a beauty, but Jenny had certainly turned into a swan. He never figured on her being such a gorgeous lady, why, she was prettier than her sister. And that was saying something.

      No, he left town about five years ago. She studied his frown. A lot of things have changed since you've been here.

      I suppose they have. So, why didn't you leave this God forsaken town, Jenny?

      Oh yeah, like at thirteen I knew where I was going? She couldn't keep the slight sarcasm from her voice. She leaned back in the chair and studied him. Didn't have anywhere to go. She shrugged. I was thirteen, Chance. I didn't know what hit me when the Sheriff came and told me I had to leave. I'd already sold all the valuables in the house just to eat every day, and sometimes not. When I left there was nothing left. The furniture was gone, it was bare. Because Dad had so many enemies in this town, no one seemed anxious to jump in and help me. I was one of the Carter girls. So, I decided I had to take care of myself. But jobs weren't plentiful for a girl of thirteen I can tell you. One of the girls that used to work here, told me about needing more girls. That's when I went to work here.

      Didn't you have an aunt in Philadelphia? He frowned, trying to remember I seemed to recall you and Rebecca visiting her a time or two.

      Yeah, but I wasn't anywhere near her favorite. She didn't want the likes of me. Especially after I whored my way to make a living for myself at thirteen. She was a prim and proper lady, and I didn't fit the bill. By the time she paid a visit I'd been working there nearly a year. I don't think I ever fit the bill with her. Someone from town wrote her and told her dad died, and she came out, but her nose was so high in the air, I knew we wouldn't get along.

      When he raised a brow at that, she explained more. "She couldn't stand the embarrassment. I couldn't stand her attitude. It wasn't like I had a big choice in this town. I used to write her when Rebecca was alive, she was always wanting to know what Rebecca was doing, who she was seeing. She'd been genuinely interested, in her. Not once in all those years though, did she ask about me. Not that I'm bitter, I'm not. I didn't like her much anyway. I loved Rebecca, she was my confidant, my friend and when she died, I was as devastated as you or dad. She might have been spoiled and catered to, but she always had time for me, always."

      The way she said that had his head turning to stare at her. Little Jenny had to whore her way? God, that went straight to his heart, and at thirteen!

      My God. I'm so sorry, I wished I'd known. He told her, stretching his hand to hers and covering it with his own. Then he looked at her hands, she still bit her nails. When you gonna stop doing that?

      She chuckled, Everyone has some bad habits.

      You're right. There was a long silence as his hands covered hers again.

      Tell me something, would you have come running to save me? She snickered.

      Maybe, especially had I known your circumstances.

      She sighed. Listen, you did the right thing by leaving. Dad was out of his head about Rebecca dying, and the fact that she was running away with you to get married, Jenny told him. It didn't help things. He'd have killed you if you'd have stayed.

      I figured he'd blame me for it.

      Oh yeah, he did. She chortled. Even when the preacher told him you didn't have time to get married and you said you'd be back some day to get her, he wouldn't believe it. Swore he'd kill you the next time he saw you. You were going to make his daughter live in sin. And all the time he was spouting this off to me, Rebecca lay dying. Jenny remembered. "I stood there, listening to his hate, while her smile faded from her face, and life ebbed away from her. He swore you must have forced her to leave home. It was all your fault, he claimed. It was the fact that she left him that bothered him so. She was the apple of his eye. She was everyone's favorite. Jenny's voice went raspy. She looked up at him with those gray-green eyes and tried to smile. Including mine. When Momma died, Rebecca kind of became my second Momma. She was everything a girl should be."

      But he noted the fact that the smile didn't quite reach her lips.

      It wasn't anyone's fault. Rebecca wanted to marry you, but with dad and his men chasing after you, you couldn't get it done. And then, the accident happened. You brought her back in a wagon, with Dad threatening to kill you for it, as she lay dying. It was the first time I saw anyone die.

      Chance shook his head, his eyes staring but not seeing.

      He sure didn't know her that well, did he? Chance glanced around. There was an older couple sitting at one table and a cowboy sitting by himself at another. He looked back at her, and she was staring at him.

      No, but he thought he did. Jenny smiled. I guess all parents have illusions about their children.

      His eyes met hers.

      Jenny Mae Carter. He leaned back in his chair now and stared at her with a widening smile. It's hard to believe you've grown up.

      I hate that name. It sounds like a cow!

      Then change it, he smiled sexily at her.

      Change my name? To what?

      Whatever pleases you.

      I always liked the name Elizabeth. It sounds so sophisticated. She smiled at him. But I guess that wouldn't be me, either would it?

      You just aren't an Elizabeth, he chuckled.

      No, what am I then? Plain Jane?

      How about Jen, he asked staring into her eyes once more. And there's nothing plain about you, from where I'm sitting.

      Jen, yeah, I guess that does fit me better. Not overly exciting, but it does fit.

      It's what I used to call you.

      I remember…

      So, tell me, do you like your job. Do you like living here?

      She shot him a sarcastic glance now.

      Like it? Just the way she said that answered his question. She shook her head. "When a boy grows into a man, he can leave home, go anywhere, find a job and live. When a girl grows up, there's few options, especially if she has no kin. Well, except she can get married, become an old maid schoolteacher, open a sewing shop, or live with her parents all her life. But she doesn't have the option to just pick up and leave. I've had no choice in the matter. The first thing I sold was dad's horses. That was a mistake. I should have kept one, but I wouldn't have been able to keep him. No woman in her right mind would choose this

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