Bloody Reasons: A Western (To Kill A Man Book 1) by Yates Stuart G

Author:Yates, Stuart G.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Creativia
Published: 2017-10-19T00:00:00+00:00

12

Rolling his shoulders under the coarse material of his habit, Father Merry went to the tiny stove crammed into the far corner of the room and busied himself with swilling out coffee grounds before setting a fresh pot on the flame. He caught a sharp intake of breath from Nati behind him and he turned. She stood looking through the single hatch beside the main door. He went to her and settled his hand on her slim shoulder. “What is it?”

“Riders,” she said, the single word sending a chill through the priest. He bent forward and followed the direction of her gaze.

Without a word, Nati swept up the Spencer carbine and checked it for the umpteenth time.

“Two,” said Merry, calculating the odds. “Not what I was expecting.”

“Perhaps more have skirted round back. I may not have heard them.”

“You've been looking for their approach keenly enough. I think this is all there is.”

Grunting dismissively, Nati went to the door to pull up the bar.

“What are you doing?”

“I'm going to go out and see what they want.”

“What if it's a trap?”

“I'll plug 'em first, don't you worry, Father.”

Shaking his head, Merry stepped up beside her, his revolver materialising in his hand. “Best let me.” He smiled. “You cover me from the window. You have better range than me, and your aim will be far more certain if you use the ledge.”

“And if I suspect anything?”

“I'll shout, and then you plug 'em.”

Despite the tense atmosphere, she smiled. “God go with you, Father.”

He kissed his first two fingers and pressed them against her forehead before raising the bar and stepping outside.

Blinking in the harsh, afternoon sunlight, he took a few paces to his right, which would allow Nati a clear shot from the hatch if the need arose. As he watched the riders' approach, however, he wasn't all that sure if such an event would be necessary. Frowning, he studied the approaching couple and felt his throat go dry.

“Oh, sweet Jesus,” he said, “it's Grace!”

Before Nati could give a meaningful interjection, Merry broke into a run, all thoughts of personal safety gone in an instant.

Mouth splitting into a wide, gaping grin, he saw her jump down from the saddle, her face alight with joy. Already, his arms were spreading to welcome her but, as they ran towards one another, he glanced at the other rider, noted the half-mocking smile he wore and something flickered across his memory. He recognised the tall, rangy stranger, but from where, he could not determine.

And then she was in his arms, laughing uproariously. He swung her around and around, his mouth fastening on hers and suddenly nothing else in the world mattered.

“Oh, dear God, I thought I'd never see you again,” she gasped, pressing her face into his barrel chest.

He held her close, his cheek resting on the top of her head. He dwarfed her and the feel of her in his embrace sent a pulse of desire through his entire being.

“Not wishing to impose on you two love-birds,”

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