Desperate Hearts (29 page)
She dipped some gauze into the hot water then and began washing the wound at the side of Jake’s head, noting that the blow of Luke Putnam’s rifle had left a deep gash from just in front of Jake’s left ear across his left cheekbone. An ugly blue swelling surrounded the cut. She cleaned it as best as she could and dabbed at it with more whiskey. “I’m afraid you’re going to have another scar here,” she
said.
She jumped back when Jake’s eyes suddenly flew open. He sta
red at her a moment, his dark eyes looking glassy and blank. “Santana?” he muttered. His eyes closed again. Miranda put a hand to her chest and breathed deeply to stop her sudden shaking. Was she crazy to do what she had just done? She clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm. The man certainly couldn’t do her any harm tonight, and he didn’t even know where his guns
were.
She went back into the bedroom to get her rifle. The man still lay quietly resting. She hoped it was more of a sleep now than unconsciousness. She took the rifle and set it over near her father’s cot in the main room. She stoked up the fire against what she knew would be a chilly night in spite of the warm day. She straightened, then rubbed her hands at her aching lower back. She longed to just lie down now, but she remembered the poor draft horses were still in harness. She lit one lantern and set it on the table, then lit another and carried it
outside.
It was dark out now, which made everything seem more frightening. She hung the lantern in the shed and began the arduous task of removing the harness from the horses, a job difficult for most men and doubly difficult for her small arms, especially tonight, when her whole body screamed from a day of emotional upheaval and a tenseness that brought physical pain. She took care of the horses, then realized that in her concern for them, she had left her own rifle inside the house. She quickly took down the lantern and closed the shed door, then hurried back to the cabin to find everything the same. She went into the bedroom to check on Jake once more, only to find he had not moved. His breathing was deep and rhythmic, and she thought his forehead already felt a little
cooler.
She picked up his clothes and carried them into the main room, where she took down a wooden laundry tub and set it near the fire. She threw his clothes into the tub, poured hot water over them, and added some lye soap. She would scrub them and hang them out in the morning. At least that would leave the man even more helpless for the time being—not only would he not have his guns, but he wouldn’t even have any clothes to put
on!
She closed her eyes and tried to make herself sleep, realizing the much-needed rest was not going to come easily. It had been a long day. It was going to be an even longer
night.
***
From the
author…
Well, dear readers, wait till you see Jake’s reaction when he wakes up naked and without his guns the next morning! He is going to be one angry outlaw facing a very determined woman who stands right up to him…and the sparks begin to fly, leading to a love story you will long
remember!
I’d like to acknowledge
The
Vigilantes
of
Montana
by Thomas Dimsdale, originally written in 1864 and reprinted in 1953 by the University of Oklahoma
Press.
Do Not Forsake Me
The much-anticipated sequel to
Outlaw Hearts
by Rosanne Bittner
USA Today
bestselling author
1890, Oklahoma Territory
Jake Harkner spent the first thirty years of his life as a notorious outlaw, until the love of Miranda changed his ways. Now Jake’s grown son, Lloyd, rides with his father as a Deputy U.S. Marshal.
Still reeling from the death of his wife, Lloyd seeks fulfillment in work and doesn’t pay enough attention to his young son until tragedy strik
es again in the form of vengeful outlaws. Now it’s up to Jake and Lloyd to scour the West for the missing boy, with the help of a young Cheyenne woman, Dancing Wind, whose unexpected kindness promises to make Lloyd’s heart whole once more.
Praise for Rosanne Bittner:
“Bittner sweeps readers away to the days of early Western romance.” —
RT Book Reviews
“Ms. Bittner has a way of bringing the pages and characters to life…”
—
Romancing the Book
For more Rosanne Bittner, visit:
Paradise Valley
by Rosanne Bittner
Maggie Tucker has just gone through hell. Outlaws murdered her husband, looted their camp, and terrorized Maggie before leaving her lost and alone in the wilds of Wyoming. She isn’t about to let another strange man get close enough to harm her.
Sage Lightfoot, owner of Paradise Valley ranch, is hunting for the men who killed his best ranch hand. But what he finds is a beautiful, bedraggled woman digging a grave. And pointing a pistol at his heart.
From that moment on, Sage will do anything to protect the strong-yet-vulnerable Maggie. Together, they’ll embark on a life-changing journey along the dangerous Outlaw Trail, risking their lives…and their love.
Praise for Rosanne Bittner:
“A wonderful, absorbing read, with characters to capture the heart and the imagination… it’s a romance not to be missed.” —Heather Graham on
Outlaw Hearts
“Power, passion, tragedy, and triumph are Rosanne Bittner’s hallmarks.” —
RT Book Reviews
on
Wildest Dreams
For more Rosanne Bittner, visit:
Thunder on the Plains
by Rosanne Bittner
In a land of opportunity
Sunny Landers wanted a big life—as big and free as the untamed land that stretched before her. Land she would help her father conquer to achieve his dream of a transcontinental railroad. She wouldn’t let a cold, creaky wagon, murderous bandits, or stampeding buffalo stand in her way. She wanted it all—including Colt Travis.
All the odds were against them
Like the land of his birth, half-Cherokee Colt Travis was wild, hard, and dangerous. He was a drifter, a wilderness scout with no land and no prospects hired to guide the Landers’ wagon train. He knew Sunny was out of his league and her father would never approve, but beneath the endless starlit sky, anything seemed possible…
“Bittner has a knack for writing strong, believable characters who truly seem to jump off the pages.” —
Historical Novel Review
“I hated having to put it down for even one second.” —
Romancing the Book
For more Rosanne Bittner, visit:
Wildest Dreams
by Rosanne Bittner
With more than 7 million books in print, RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award-winning author Rosanne Bittner is beloved by fans for her powerful, epic historical romances.
Lettie McBride knew that joining a wagon train heading West was her chance to begin anew, far from the devastating memories of the night that had changed her forever. She didn’t believe she could escape the pain of innocence lost, or feel desire for any man…until she meets Luke Fontaine.
Haunted by his own secrets, Luke could never blame Lettie for what had happened in the past. One glance at the pretty red-haired lass was enough to fill the handsome, hard-driving pioneer with a savage hunger.
Against relentless snows, murderous desperadoes, and raiding Sioux, Luke and Lettie will face a heart-rending choice: abandon a lawless land before it destroys them, or fight for their…Wildest Dreams.
“Extraordinary for the depth of emotion.” —
Publishers Weekly
For more Rosanne Bittner, visit:
To Have and to Hold
A Cactus Creek Cowboys Novel
by Leigh Greenwood
USA Today
bestselling author
A stranger to the rescue
Colby Blaine has been a loner his whole life. And he isn’t about to change now. But that doesn’t mean he can ignore people in trouble. When he rides up on an inexperienced wagon train under attack, he doesn’t hesitate to jump into the fray. It’s only after the raid that he really lands himself in hot water…
Naomi Kessling is certainly grateful to Colby for saving her family and agreeing to lead their train to safer territory. But the man has an infuriating way of knowing just how to get under her skin—he asks too many questions about a past she doesn’t want to remember, and his touch makes her long for far more. Yet the more time they spend together, the more Naomi sees that perhaps it’s Colby who needs rescuing the most…
“Perfect pacing, intriguing characters, and an unpredictable plot…a thoroughly enjoyable escape into the world of romance and adventure.” —
Historical Novel Review
“A keeper to be enjoyed more than once.”
—
Long and Short Reviews
For more Leigh Greenwood, visit:
To Love and to Cherish
A Cactus Creek Cowboys Novel
by Leigh Greenwood
USA Today
bestselling author
Torn between a desire to be free…
When Laurie Spencer said “I do,” she never realized she’d be trading one pair of shackles for another—until her husband’s unexpected death leaves her with an opportunity to escape her controlling family for good. Determined to be independent, Laurie approaches sexy rancher Jared Smith with an offer she hopes he can’t refuse…
Jared’s determined to make it in Texas, but with the local banker turned against him, it looks like his dream may be slipping through his fingers. When Laurie offers a partnership, it looks like his luck may be changing…but when she throws herself in as part of the deal, Jared’s not sure he’ll be able to respect the terms of their agreement and keep his eyes—and his hands—to himself.
There’s something about Laurie that awakens every protective instinct Jared has…and when all hell breaks loose, there’s nothing and no one who’ll be able to keep this cowboy from her side.
“Greenwood is a master at Westerns!” —
RT Book Reviews
For more Leigh Greenwood, visit:
Award-winning novelist Rosanne Bittner is highly acclaimed for her thrilling love stories and historical authenticity. Her epic romances span the West—from Canada to Mexico, Missouri to California—and are often based on personal visits to each setting. She lives in Michigan with her husband Larry and near her two sons Brock and Brian, and three grandsons, Brennan, Connor, and Blake. You can learn much more about Rosanne and her books through her website at
www.rosannebittner.com
and her blog at
www.rosannebittner.blogspot.com
. Be sure to visit Rosanne on Facebook and
Twitter!
