Free Wild Hearts by Susan Mallery

Chapter One
    Texas, 1882
    Zeke Titan had long believed there was nothing more beautiful than Texas…except maybe a willing woman. He’d been missing both for the better part of six months, which explained why he was riding shotgun on a freight wagon, instead of waiting for the daily coach that traveled between Dallas and Titanville.
    His business and the cold Yankee winter had kept him away from home for far too long. And the beautiful ladies of New York and Boston hadn’t tempted him as they once had. He couldn’t say if he had lost the enjoyment of the chase or if he simply missed Titanville.
    He’d been born under a lucky star, at least that’s what everyone always said. He’d never met an enemy he couldn’t turn into a friend, had yet to lose money on any enterprise he invested in and he couldn’t be beat at cards. A good life, he told himself. Then why did he feel so restless?
    The freight wagon rounded a bend in the road. Up ahead he saw the familiar shapes of the buildings of the town. As always, a group of people stood waiting for the arrival of the bi-weekly freight wagon. There would be supplies for the dry goods store, a sewing machine or two, building material, fabric and whatever else it took to keep a household running. Zeke wouldn’t know. He’d been living in the Titanville hotel since he was sixteen when an ace of spades had turned him from a poor orphan into a rich man.
    They passed the stables first. Billy Wade yelled something, but Zeke couldn’t hear what it was. Then Big John, the blacksmith, called out to him. Zeke held a hand to his ear. Big John ran after the wagon.
    As Zeke turned, he saw other men running toward him. Most he recognized, a few he didn’t. The crowd behind the wagon grew. As the driver slowed the horses, Zeke jumped down. He held his Winchester loosely, just in case there was trouble.
    Billy got to him first. His friend was gasping for breath and holding his side.
    â€œYou’re back. We’ve been waitin’, Zeke. Waitin’ and countin’ the days. You gotta help us. We don’t know what to do.”
    â€œAbout what?” Zeke asked, stepping out of the way of those eager to claim their packages.
    â€œThere’s trouble. Big trouble.” The other men joined Billy, crowding around Zeke. They nodded.
    â€œIt’s awful,” one man said.
    â€œYou won’t believe what they’re makin’ us do.”
    Zeke imagined everything from Indians to cattle rustlers.
    â€œThe new teacher got here ’bout two days after you left,” Billy said, his eyes wide, his expression frightened.
    Zeke relaxed. “You’re talking about a woman?”
    The men exchanged glances.
    â€œNot just any woman,” Billy told him. “She’s different, Zeke. Mrs. Harbaugh brought more than books to town.” He looked around, as if afraid someone might be listening, then lowered his voice. “She’s changed them.”
    The other men nodded.
    â€œChanged who?”
    â€œAll the women. My Molly never used to talk back to me. Now she has ideas and…” Billy swallowed. “She wants me to listen to her. I told her I was buyin’ more cattle and she said no. She said we needed to save money to send our boys to college. In Maryland.”
    There was a collective gasp.
    â€œThey’re tsked,” Big John said, then shuddered.
    â€œThey’re what?”
    â€œTsked,” Billy told Zeke. “Titanville Society for Knowledge, Empowerment and Devotion. Tsked. If we do something they don’t like, they tsk at us. It’s to remind us to act right.”
    The men looked defeated. Zeke couldn’t help it. He laughed. The sound came from deep inside and felt good.
    â€œI’m gone six months and every one of you is running scared because of a woman?” Zeke kept laughing until his sides ached. “That’s a good one. You think that up, Billy?