Free Nicademus: The Wild Ones by Sienna Mynx

Arkansas and a trap was waiting for me there. So I went for it. I only shot at those who drew on me first. That’s why the banker died, the lawmen died. There is blood on my hands. But there’s blood on theirs too. Anyone working for or helping Tyler Shepherd has blood on his hands. My family’s blood.”
    “What about your pinky? He take that from you too?”
    The laughter bubbled in his throat and he nearly choked on it. He shook his head. “No darling. Lost that learning how to cook in the camp I was stationed in. Brought the cleaver down fast and hard.”
    She laughed. She giggled and fell over on him, resting her head on his shoulder. “You are something, outlaw.”
    Like a shift in the wind, something between them changed. He sensed it. She lifted her head and he was able to look into his eyes. Her mouth was temptingly close to his. He could smell the rosemary on her skin and feel her breath escape her nose. “Let’s go inside. You shouldn’t be seen out here.” She stood and reached for his arm and helped him rise. He pulled her in close and she allowed him to brace himself with her help as they walked. Jeremiah let her go, but it was hard. He walked over to his cot and sat down on it.
    “Got a question for you, Annie,” he said.
    “Annie? Who’s that?” she teased.
    He smiled. “It’s my name for you, is that okay?”
    “I guess,” she said. “What’s the question?”
    “Any other white folk live in Nicademus?” he asked.
    “Not for a long time. But Doc Samuel is white. And we got Mr. Alexander who works for the Post Office. He and his family are white. We gots a judge who comes to stay for a spell and leaves, and he white. He deals with our criminals and gives them their sentence. Prospectors come and go who are white. Theys welcome as long as they cause no trouble. But they never stay. One look at our town and they don’t wanna. Guess I’d say yes and no to your question,” she smiled.
    He nodded in return.
    “G’night,” she said.
    “G’night, wildflower,” he said.
    “Wait a second,” she paused with her hand to her hips. “I thought your name for me was Annie?”
    “I guess I got two for you,” he winked.
    She blew him a playful kiss and was gone. He was disappointed to see the night end. He almost opened his mouth to say so, but she disappeared back into her room. And when she closed the door it meant he couldn’t lie next to her. Maybe she sensed it too. If he joined her in bed temptation would get in the way after a night like tonight. So he reflected on the sad story she shared and her strength despite all she’d lost. They were different and yet so much alike in their pain. Strangely enough, he found that commonality comforting. And a small measure of peace granted him sleep.
     
    **
    Annabelle smiled at Jeremiah from across the table. It was morning. The sunlight filled the cabin with brightness. “Red Sun and a few of the men have rode out to Tulsa. Town’s pretty quiet today.”
    Jeremiah finished his coffee.
    She sat across from him with her hair braided away from her face, one thick braid on each side of her temple and then another down the middle of her head. Her face was ever more striking this way. Her high cheekbones and plump lips, slender eyebrows and large round eyes under dark long lashes were a complement to her beauty, not a detraction.
    “So it’s a light day for you too I suppose?” he asked, dropping his gaze away. “It’s also a good day for me to start out. About my gold—”
    “I was thinking about fishin’. You feelin’ up to it?” she asked.
    “Me?” he frowned.
    “I found you at the creek, surely you’re not scared of it?”
    He laughed. “If the men are gone, isn’t it best I be gone too?”
    “Not all the men are gone, just the ones that’ll take issue with you. And they gone for a week of riding and stuff. You can leave tomorrow or the next day and be just fine. If you insist on leaving at all. Today we fish,” she