Free Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) by Susan Horsnell Page A

pretty gal like that bein’ alone with so many liquored up miners in town. Some of ‘em can be mighty rough when they see a lady like that by herself.”
     
    John stood and clamped his hat on his head. “I’ll see you in the hotel dining room at seven. Seems me and my wife to be need to have a chat about her wanderin’ around town on her own.”
     
    He swiveled, thanked the porter, pressed a coin into his hand and headed for the street in search of his wayward fiancée.
     
    ***
     
    Cora was staring at some beautiful dresses in a store window when a breeze stirred the back of her hair. The stench of tobacco, liquor and body odor assailed her senses. She felt both nervous and sick. She froze, too afraid to turn around. You really are becoming a baby. Afraid of your own shadow.
     
    “Well, well, looky here boys. We done found ourselves a lady and it seems she ain’t got nobody with her,” one man said as he stroked her hair.
     
    Cora stiffened and trembled, willing someone to help her.
     
    “Hey look, boss. She’s shakin’ with expectation,” another man said.
     
    “Yeah, she’s wantin’ us, boss. Let’s take her somewhere private where we can play with what’s under that pretty dress.” The third man gave an evil chuckle.
     
    Cora expected her legs to fail her they were shaking so badly. She refused to turn around and give the men threatening her, the satisfaction of seeing the fear she knew would be reflected in her eyes. When one man ran his hand down her arm, she jerked away with revulsion. She opened her mouth to scream but no sound came out.
     
    ***
     
    John glanced up and down the street and caught sight of Cora being crowded by three scruffy men. He drew his gun from its holster and rushed across the street. His heart pounded when he realized they were probably threatening her. She’d be terrified.
     
    As he moved closer he saw one man run his hand down her arm. He watched as she jerked away. Rage, like he had never felt before, consumed him. He stepped onto the boardwalk in time to hear one of the men ask for a kiss. A loud, distinctive click sounded as he cocked his gun. The three men spun towards him and reached for their guns.
     
    “Don’t even think about it,” John roared.
     
    The men lifted their hands away. “We were just talkin’ to the pretty lady. She was all alone and we thought we’d keep her company.” One man whined. “Why don’t ya join us?”
     
    John’s anger rocketed. “This lady is my fiancée. You’ve got about ten seconds to step away and go about your business or I swear to God, I’ll put a bullet in the part of your body you wanted to abuse her with.”
     
    The men glanced at each other before slinking off. As soon as they had put some distance between themselves and John, they took off down the boardwalk, running.
     
    John holstered his gun and approached Cora. She hadn’t moved. He placed his hands on her shoulders as he spoke. “It’s okay darlin’, it’s me.”
     
    Cora dropped like a dead weight. He swept her into his arms before she could hit the ground and, hurried back to the hotel.
     
    ***
     
    Cora awoke in the bed of her hotel room. John sat in a chair beside the bed, studying her. She moved slightly and he tightened his grip on her hand. Their eyes locked.
     
    “How are you feeling?” he asked.
     
    Cora noted the concern in his eyes. She attempted to sit up.
     
    He stood, lifted her into his arms as if she weighed no more than a feather and, propped her up on pillows. He reclaimed her hand, his thumb stroking her fingers.
     
    “How’s that, better?”
     
    “Yes, thank you. What happened?”
     
    “You don’t remember?”
     
    “I remember three men accosting me. I was very frightened. And, now I’m here.”
     
    “Those men were from one of the mining camps outside town. They mine for gold in the hills. Once a month they come into town for a couple of days, cash in the gold they’ve found, get liquored up and cause