The Reluctant Outlaw (Love Inspired Historical) by Karen Kirst

Author:Karen Kirst [Kirst, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2011-09-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Exhaustion threatened to overtake Evan. His lower back ached from sitting in the saddle for hours on end, and his head pounded from lack of food. At this late hour, hunger was the only thing keeping him awake. He tried to remember what he’d eaten for lunch and realized he and Juliana had skipped it. He wondered if she’d thought to save him a plate from supper, or if she’d thought about it and decided to let him fend for himself.

The light from the fire was a welcome sight. Sensing water and rest were within reach, his horse cantered into the campsite, arriving winded and nearly tossing Evan to the ground with his abrupt stop.

“Whoa there, big boy.” He spoke in low tones so as not to wake the others. He balanced his hat on the saddle horn and ran his fingers through his hair.

Sliding out of the saddle, he jerked at the unexpected sound of Juliana’s voice directly behind him.

“Where have you been?”

He turned to face her, taken aback by her undisguised anger. Her eyes were enormous in her colorless face. Tendrils had escaped the once-tidy bun, and there was a smudge of dirt on her chin. She looked fit to be tied.

“Do you realize how worried I—we have been?”

Evan stared down at her. The desire to hug away her worries was strong, but he knew she wouldn’t welcome it. As hard as it was, he turned his back on her and began to see to his horse, speaking over his shoulder as he worked.

“I’m sorry about that, but I had my reasons.”

Silence greeted his remark. Then, “And what might those be, may I ask?”

“Fitzgerald,” he grunted, lifting the saddle and dropping it on the ground nearby. His glance flicked to her face, then away. “He’s on our trail.” He removed the saddle blanket from Lucky’s back.

“Did you see him?”

“Nope.”

“Then how—”

“Whiskey bottle.” He brushed the black’s coarse hair until it shined in the low light. “I know the brand he drinks. That, and the place was a mess. Typical of him.”

When she didn’t respond, Evan paused. Heaving a sigh, he slowly turned around. Fear was written all over her. When he noticed her trembling, his willpower took a nosedive. Still, he managed to hold back.

“Please try not to worry, Juliana.” He gazed deep into her eyes, trying to impart comfort without actually touching her. “He’ll have to go through me to get to you.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she whispered.

Evan’s fists clenched. He swallowed hard. How much was a man supposed to take? He wasn’t made of steel.

“I don’t plan on losing, darlin’,” he drawled, his voice a soft caress.

“Evan, I—”

“Glad to see you made it back.” Henry strode up and clapped him on the shoulder. “Everything all right?”

“Actually, I need to speak with you.” He glanced at Juliana. “Do you happen to have any leftovers? I’m starving.”

She stared at him. “I’ll get a plate ready for you. How about coffee as well?”

He flashed her a grateful smile. “I’d like that, if you’re not too tired.

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