Free Love Finds You in Tombstone, Arizona by Miralee Ferrell

held up, and a stray bullet took a chunk out of it.”
    He swung toward her, genuine concern clouding his eyes. “You need to see the doc?”
    Tears sprang to her eyes at the caring reflected in Joshua’s voice. “I already did, and I’ll be fine.” She reached out her good arm and drew him into a hug. “I’ve missed you, little brother.”
    His words were muffled, but his voice sounded softer and more like the brother she’d remembered from years ago. “You too, sis. I’m sorry for…everything.”
    The front door opened, and a young man bolted down the path toward them, skidding to a halt before he ran into Christy. “Sorry, Miss. Didn’t see you.” He glanced at Joshua and back at her, then sidled a little closer. “You belong to this house?”
    “I beg your pardon?” Christy took a step back, unsure what the boy intended.
    He held out his hand, palm up. “I need to get paid.”
    Joshua pushed forward. “For what?”
    “I brung that woman in there a telegram. I was told by the man at the office she’d pay me. But all she did was snatch it outta my hand. I want my money.”
    Joshua shoved the young man backwards and skirted around him. “You’re not gettin’ nothin’ from me. Now get along with you, and tell your boss to pay you next time.”
    Suddenly a loud keening broke the stillness of the early afternoon, sending a shiver up Christy’s spine. It reverberated like a lost soul who’d discovered they can never return to where they belonged.
    She bolted up the path on Joshua’s heels. Ma. Christy had never heard the woman cry before, much less scream the way she carried on now. Another wail met her as she forced her way through the partly closed front door, right before the stench hit her. She wasn’t sure which made her knees the weakest—the unearthly moans coming from a back room, or the horrible smell assaulting her senses.

Chapter Six

    Nevada made his way to the Grand Hotel. He didn’t like spending much money for a room, but he had to admit the idea of a soft bed, clean sheets, and no varmints skittering across the floor appealed to him. Besides, it was close and highly recommended. Once he got the lay of the land tomorrow and found a decent boardinghouse he’d find a different spot to live. One night wouldn’t break him.
    He’d bankrolled a sizeable amount over the years from working cattle. Other cowboys blew their pay on women and whiskey, but not him. The memory of the gold coin flipping through the air and landing in his palm made him groan. Maybe his desire to buy his own ranch had pushed him too hard to take whatever cash he could get, even when it meant riding on the ragged edge of shady.
    From now on he’d go straight. No more taking mavericks off the range and herding them over the line to Mexico for a fast dollar. Sure, most ranchers agreed an unbranded calf running wild in the breaks was fair game. But he knew in his heart he didn’t have a right to those calves.
    Nevada pushed through the doors of the two-story edifice and stopped. He’d been in a lot of cattle and mining towns, but this hotel beat all. Maybe he couldn’t afford this place for even one night. A wide staircase covered in carpet lay ahead, sporting a black walnut banister running all the way to the top. An open space to the right boasted a small sign introducing the traveler to the office, and beckoned to a sitting area for weary guests. Lavish furnishings with velvet drapes and walnut tables graced the room, and a bespectacled man sat busily writing at a desk that looked too large for his small size.
    Nevada took cautious steps up to the desk, his hat clutched in his hands. His gaze dropped to his boots, and he winced. Street dust had left a trail behind him on the luxurious carpet. A desire to rush back outside and clean his feet or, better yet, find somewhere else to stay assailed him. A quick look to the side revealed another large, elegant room, and almost convinced him the impulse to leave was