Leather and Lace - By DiAnn Mills Page 0,1

you are.”

He chuckled. “I never say anything I don’t mean, and I don’t doubt you’d blow a hole right through me. I want Jenkins for myself, and by sticking with you, I’m bound to get him.”

Must be a money-grubbing bounty hunter. She shivered. With a price on her head, she didn’t see a bounty hunter holding any better credentials than an outlaw. She should have shot Jenkins when she’d had the chance. More so, she shouldn’t have gotten mixed up with a gang of outlaws in the first place. Seemed like her life had gone from one bad decision to another—except this last one to leave it all behind.

“Do you have a name? I need to call you something,” she said.

“Morgan.”

“I reckon you already know me.”

“Casey O’Hare, Davis Jenkins’s woman.” Morgan wrapped his gloved fingers around the coffeepot.

“I’m not his woman, never was, never will be.”

A hint of amusement flashed across his face and sparked an angry flame within her. He poured a second cup of coffee. “You’re prettier than the stories and the wanted posters, but the fire’s the same. Must be the red hair.”

She stared hard into the stranger’s face. His mouth curved into a slight smile. Casey observed what she could see of his face in the shadows and searched for a defined mark of deceit, but she saw only a clever stranger. Could this Morgan be an angel sent to deliver her or the devil setting her up for a kill?

Perhaps the beard and mustache were meant to disguise a man she’d otherwise recognize. Mr. Morgan wouldn’t be the first to hide this way. He could conceal his looks easier than she with her long hair and the fact she was a woman outlaw in a territory full of wanted men.

A wolf howled. Casey shuddered as several more answered. If the wild animals didn’t devour her, she’d surely freeze to death. Seemed like her life had been forever preyed upon by someone or something. Good folks said a person like her couldn’t shake her past. But she knew better. She’d lose Casey O’Hare in some secluded town where no one would recognize her.

“How do I know you aren’t one of them?” she said.

“You don’t, but I’ll tell you what I do know.” He handed her the empty mug, and she filled it for herself. “I’ve heard plenty through more than a half-dozen men about how Davis Jenkins set his gang after the woman who refused to stay with him. Those claims are over six weeks old.” His face hardened. “By this time, he might very well want you dead. You and I both know Jenkins always gets what he wants, no matter what the cost.”

Casey felt the icy air as she looked up to meet the gaze of this stranger who appeared too confident. “I don’t hold much stock in rumors. Only fools rely on hearsay in this part of the country, and they rarely live to remedy their mistakes.”

“I’m no fool, and I know where they’re camped.”

“So how far off are they?” She wrapped her freezing gloved hand around the hot mug. His finger still rested on the Winchester’s trigger.

“Depends on the weather. I saw ’em earlier today. Can’t miss Jenkins with that ugly scar running down his face.”

“What kind of man tracks down another in this snow and cold? Most men wouldn’t risk their life for the likes of him.”

“I don’t claim to be a smart man, just vengeful.”

“Makes me think I’m better off alone.”

“But you’re not, and I’m telling you that we’re camping by the Green River tomorrow night.”

Maybe he would, but she had other plans.

“Why did you run off?” Morgan said. “Word is he treated you fair.”

She bit back another caustic remark. “I said I’m not his woman, which is the reason he wants me back. It has nothing to do with money, another man, or any other lie you’ve heard. He’ll not rest until I’m either with him or dead.”

“I don’t believe a word of it. A lover’s spat. That’s all. What happened? Is the law paying more money for his hide than yours? Or did he find out you had another man?”

“I didn’t ask you to believe me.”

“You’ve been a part of this gang since you were fourteen. Now you tell me there’s never been anything between you and Jenkins?”

“You’re talking through your hat.”

He laughed. “Fancy words from someone who has a gun on them.”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

“You should be, since I know a whole lot about you.”

“Where did