A Bandit's Betrayed Heart by Michelle McLean

Author:Michelle McLean
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Bandit; historical romance; gold rush; cowboy; Civil War; Entangled Publishing; Scandalous; Entangled Scandalous; Michelle McLean, romance, historical
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2020-07-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Lucy’s hope that the persecution would stop grew over the next two weeks. There hadn’t been another incident since the night of the firebomb. Perhaps the miscreants had finally realized that she wasn’t going anywhere and had given up. A small thread of worry always stayed with her, but as each day passed peacefully, Lucy began to think the struggle might be over.

A far greater worry in her mind was Finn. She hadn’t seen him since that night. Lilah had brought word from the hotel that he hadn’t been back, so he must still be on whatever mission Philip had sent him on, and the thought of what he might be doing frightened her.

She and Lilah were nearly finished straightening the schoolhouse for the night, but Lucy had no desire to go back to her little cottage all alone. If she had to spend one more evening with nothing to do but worry about Finn, she’d go mad.

“Well, looks like we’re about finished here,” she said, sounding more disappointed that their work was done than she should be.

“My sister’s got a big pot of fish stew boilin’, if you’d care to join us for supper. I know it’s probably nothin’ like what you’re used to but you’re welcome to it.”

Lucy smiled, gratitude at the woman’s kindness and intuition flowing through her. “I’ve fought off coyotes for a pail of burned beans. Believe me, I’m used to some pretty awful things.”

Lilah’s mouth dropped open and Lucy laughed. “Oh, Lilah dear, I could tell you some stories. I wasn’t always as fortunate as I am now.”

“I’d like to hear some of those stories,” Lilah said, grinning at her.

“Well, I’d be honored to join you for supper. And perhaps afterward, I’ll regale you with the sordid tales of my past.”

The women walked out the door laughing, Lucy’s heart lighter than it had been since Finn left.

They spent a very pleasant evening with Lilah’s family. Lucy’s belly was pleasantly stuffed with the most delicious stew she’d ever eaten and she was lounging lazily by the fire in their small house when Isaiah bounced over to her.

“Miz Lucy, tell us a story!”

“Yes. Maybe one of them sordid tales you mentioned,” Lilah said, smiling.

Lucy laughed. “Hmm, well let’s see.” She racked her brain for something she could tell them that would be appropriate for children’s ears. She had had quite a few adventures in her bandit days. Perhaps she should just tell them the beginning.

“Once upon a time,” she said, giving Lilah a little wink, “there were three sisters who lived in a beautiful place called California. They lived on a ranch with their mother and father who loved them very much. Sadly, their parents died. But they weren’t all alone. They had two very loyal servants named Carmen and Miguel who stayed to help the sisters.

“But their half brother was the sheriff of their small town, and he was an evil, greedy man. He wanted to take the ranch from the sisters because he thought there was a gold mine on the property.

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