ROMANCE: PARANORMAL ROMANCE: Coveted by the Werewolves (Paranormal MMF Bisexual Menage Romance) (New Adult Shifter Romance Short Stories) (337 page)

              “Just a cut.” He said, but rapidly went on before either of them could say anything. “Jim and Garret are in terrible trouble. We got ambushed. Jim- he might die if you can’t help him!”

              “What do you expect me to do? I have a patient. Can’t go out there now.”

              “I’m just telling you what I know.” The boy fell into a chair, looking exhausted.

              “Aw hell.” Doc turned to Annie. “Annie, keep an eye on this… wait now, what are you doing?”

              She ran over to the doctor’s black bag and snatched it up. “I’m going to lend a hand.”

              “That’s too dangerous! You’ll get yourself killed!”

              “You can’t leave the blacksmith; we know he’ll certainly die without your attention. It may be too late for Jim, but I suppose I could try to stitch him up. I’ll be quick. Can you ride, Winslow?”

              “Yes ma’am!”

              “Then let’s go.” She rushed down the hall and outside to fetch the horse. She was glad she’d learned to ride as a young girl.

              Within a short time, they had ridden out into the steppes and wild grasslands. They raced along the prairie towards the looming, dry mountains where Winslow assured her he had left them.

              She found them, all right. Garret was leaning over this friend. His own arm was bleeding. Not too far away, they spied three more bodies.

              “It’s too late. We chased the others off, but it’s too late for poor Jim.” Garret bitterly declared. She dismounted and took a closer look, checking his heart and his breath. It was faint, but there was a pulse.

              “Let me see to him.” She ordered. She pulled out bandages from her bag and handed them over. “Wrap that arm of yours up until Doc can more properly treat you. I’ll do what I can for Jim.”

              She was testing the limits of her medical knowledge, but after a time she found the man hadn’t been seriously shot. He had taken a few bullets, one to a leg and another to his shoulder. But the real damage came from a blow to the back of his head, possibly from having fallen against a stone.

              After some time, she was able to revive him. He had no real memory of anything that had happened before the shootout.

              They fashioned a litter out of the men’s shirts and branches so Jim could be taken to the closest ranch and have a shot at recovering. When it was over and night had fallen, Doc finally arrived and took over for Annie.

              “You certainly saved this man’s life.” He declared. “Impressive. You did well today.”

              “Thank you, Doctor.” She was worn out, weary, but happy. As she left the room where Jim was recovering, Garret followed her out. They stepped outside the house where they were alone.

              “You
were
incredible.” He said, amazed. “I owe you much. Jim too.”

              “I was glad to do it.” She stated simply. Garret reached over and held her hands in his.

              “I’m lucky to know you, Annie McIver. You saved Jim’s life and, well, I think you’re saving mine as well.”

              “Glad to know you too, Garret McGrath.” She replied with a little smile. Before she could say more, he leaned down and kissed.

              The kiss grew in intensity and they were no longer holding hands, but embracing. Alone in the moonlight, they held each other and each, in their own heart and mind, admitted the other in.

              Several minutes passed. They parted lips, but still held each other close. “They’ll be back, you know.” Garret warned, low and sad. “They’re going to want revenge after today.”

              “I know.” She sighed. Then, a smile. “I may have an idea about that, though. Care to invite me to a dance, Mr. McGrath?”

#

              The event was, as all came to agree, the event of the year and for many a year as those who lived in Wide Bend would attest.

              On the surface, the idea of a celebration seemed ridiculous to a town that had suffered so much recently from the evil of the gang. But when a town meeting was held and Annie’s idea was discussed, it was quickly agreed that her idea was superb.

              Decorations went up. Musicians practiced, and the dance was planned. Delicious pies were baked, and families from even the most distant ranches put in an appearance at the town square.

              Before long, the hoedown was in full swing. Annie and Garret led the dancers who were glad for an excuse to dance and make merry. Letty sat along the sidelines, sampling a slice of pie and refusing to dance.

              “But why not, Letty?” The mayor asked. “The moon is full, there’s music in the air and romance, my dear, sweet romance!”

              “Pah.” She laughed. “Romance is for the young.”

              “Wasted on the young, more like.” Mayor McGrath protested. “Besides, I seem to remember you being quite the spritely dancer when you and I were younger than these jackrabbits.”

              She blushed and smiled. “You old flatterer.”

              “I’ll flatter you until you dance with me, Miss Letty!”

              “Well- only if it’ll get you to stop.”

              Garret and Annie smiled as they saw the older couple step lightly amid the dancers and did a stately dance to the fiddles playing. “They are quite the lovely, sweet couple.” Annie whispered to her beau. “I feel there’s a story there, am I wrong to suggest?”

              “A story, yes, a happy one no. But perhaps they are remembering that happier time.” Garret suggested. Then, even quieter he spoke gently in her ear. “You’re sure about this?”

              “Absolutely.”

              A great shout rose from edge of the dance and soon, the pounding of men on horses rushing up and to the middle of their festivities. Tables were overturned and the men on horseback fired into the air.

              “Bring me Garret McGrath and Jim Wood and I’ll not kill every man, woman, and child here.” A wild, bearded man roared as they threatened the crowd of dancers. “Me and the boys want to see them dance all right. From the end of a rope!”

              The nine men snickered and jeered, firing off a few more rounds in hopes of terrifying the crowd. However, they soon quieted as they realized that no one was moving or saying a word.

              “What’s this? Turn them out now, or I’ll put a torch to your damn town!”

                            “I don’t think so, Butch.” Garret quietly announced. As he spoke those words, every man, woman, and child pulled a gun or rifle from a nearby hiding place. Annie stood beside him with a gun at the ready. Casually, almost as a secondary thought, Garret drew his own six-shooter. “Want to surrender and come peacefully? Or want to see if we’re serious?”

Butch looked around dazedly. “This here ain’t… you can’t… hellfire!” He started to aim his own gun towards Garret, but in an instant flinched and fell forward and off the horse. From a distance, Garret and Annie could see their friend Jim in a second-story window. His head was bandaged, but otherwise he seemed in good spirits. He gave a friendly wave.

              The surviving gunmen quickly threw down their guns and became prisoners. The dancers cheered, gathered up their weapons, and happily led them to the prison.

              “Don’t do nothing stupid, folks!” Garret shouted, and several people assured him they wouldn’t. “We can get them out to the judge now, and see about getting law and order back in Wide Bend! Promise me you’ll treat them right, you hear? We ain’t wild like they are.”

              The fiddlers struck up a lively tune and Garret gave a great yell of joy at their success. Annie joined him, as did much of the town. Before she knew what was happening, Garret was kissing her again in front of the whole town. She thought she probably should be mortified- she didn’t care. She kissed him right back, throwing her arms around him and, for the first time since she’d stepped off the train into Wide Bend, felt truly joyous.

              The tall man let go of her, bent down on one knee, and took both her hands in his. “Annie McIver. You’re the bravest, kindest, and most noble of all creatures to ever walk this earth. Will you honor me and be my wife?”

              There was no hesitation at all when she clasped her hands to her face, giving a little jump of excitement and happiness. “Absolutely, Garret McGrath.”

              “Yes.”

THE END

To Love of a Rogue Duke

              A shadow of a young girl was painted along the road which led out of the village. Wanting to look her best, Annabelle avoided the puddles and dirt which blighted the surface of the road. She followed the long avenue of cedars that led to the distant but imposing Middlebrook Court. The tall spires and strong walls had played host to many ghoulish tales during her upbringing. Growing doubt seeped into Annabelle’s legs causing her to slow her pace. But knowing she had no choice she forced her legs to keeping walking.

Annabelle arrived at the estate’s administration lodge just as the church bell tolled nine.  She stood outside the large ornate door. After a silent prayer, she bit her lip and knocked on the door.

“Enter.”

Annabelle opened the door and stepped into the reception where an elderly man sat behind a heavy oak desk. The air felt cold and quickly unnerved her. But it was the old man’s spectacled eyes that unsettled her most. Sat under white busy eyebrows they stared at her from head to toe. Wanting to break the silence, she quivered a quiet, “Good Morning.”

“State your business.”

“My name is Annabelle Fordinnier. I am…”

              “I am Benoit, the butler of the house.” The elderly man then nodded. “And you must be Jayne’s daughter. I have been waiting for you. I began to fear you had a change of heart.”

              “I had not.”

              “Then why are you late?”

              Annabelle pinched her lips while she felt confused. “I did not think that I was… I was told nine.”

              “I do not tolerate tardiness, Annabelle. It riles me like a mosquito in the night. If I say nine, I want you here eight thirty… I will give you this warning only once.”

“It was more of a misunderstanding that tardiness, Benoit.” Annabelle felt her heart plummet. “I can assure you that I am a good worker who keeps a clean house. Since I have a sick father and my mother just passed. I am responsible for the upkeep of the house.” She then smiled, “My mother always spoke highly of you, Benoit.”

              “As I speak highly of Jayne. Your mother was a fine cook. But, unlike her daughter… she was never tardy… It’s a shame you did not take after your mother.”

Annabelle stood with her back straight like a soldier on parade. “I will not be late again, Benoit.”

“As I said. I only give people one warning. The second mistake gets you thrown out with the pig swill.”

“I promise to heed your warning, Benoit.”

Benoit suddenly took a less stern tone. “If you don’t mind me asking, How… how is your father?”

              “His leg is totally lame.. he is left making baskets to earn a meager living..”

              “I will make a note of buying one this week.” Benoit slammed his ledger shut. “Now back to business. I am more than happy to give you a chance… more so because of your mother, than what I have seen before me today.”

“Thank you, Benoit.”

“You will work under my close guidance.”

“I will follow you like shadow.”

“Learn quickly without too many mistakes. Then you have a job for life.” Benoit shook his boney finger towards Annabelle. “But I want no further Tardiness from you and no excuses, young lady.”

              “I won’t let you down.”

              Benoit rose from his wooden chair. “Now come, I will show you your quarters and introduce you to the staff.”

~

              The Duchess stormed along the long mahogany paneled corridor.  Fine china and expensive art sat on sideboards or within show cabinets that lined the walls. On reaching the Duke’s study, Daniela entered without knocking.  Her false smile thinly veiled her frustration. “Come for a walk, Charles. The weather is delightful this afternoon.”