Free Distant Heart by Tracey Bateman

doin’ about this attempt on my life?”
    The soldier looked like he’d rather die than arrest a lady. “Are you sure you want to press charges?”
    â€œYou know I do! Else why’d I be askin’ what you intend to do about it?”
    The lieutenant swallowed hard and stepped forward, his face clouded with dread for the task he was being forced to carry out. Sam stepped in front of Ginger. “Listen, folks. How about if I take this young lady off your hands once and for all?”
    â€œYou ain’t taking me anywhere half-br—mister.” At least she was a fast learner.
    â€œThat’s right. I want justice.” The storekeeper didn’t look like he was in any mood to be reasonable short of “justice.” But Sam couldn’t leave Ginger at the mercy of a mob of irritated men.
    â€œMr. Lyons,” the lieutenant said. “Perhaps we can let the young lady leave with the wagon train with Mr…. uh,”
    â€œTwo-Feathers.” Sam smiled.
    â€œMr. Two-Feathers.” He turned back to the storekeeper, his eyes almost pleading. “I see no reason to detain the lady. There was no real harm done, was there?”
    â€œI promise I’ll never set foot in this fort again.” Finally, the young woman had realized how dire her situation was aboutto become. “I-I truly was going to pay for the licorice, but I got sort of distracted by something outside the window and I forgot I had it in my hand.”
    â€œIt’s all right, Ginger,” Sam assured her. “All you have to do is pay for it now and I’m sure Mr. Lyons—was it?—will let you go.”
    â€œUh,” she cleared her throat and leaned in close. “I don’t exactly have any money.”
    â€œThen how were you plannin’ to pay for the licorice?” the storekeeper demanded.
    Ginger sent a scowl around the crowd. “Fine. I wasn’t going to actually pay for it.” She swung around to Sam. “Happy?”
    â€œI’ll pay for the licorice.” Sam turned to the sound of Grant Kelley’s voice. He reached into his vest pocket. “How much does she owe you, sir?”
    â€œTwo bits.” The storekeeper took a breath. “And another two bits for the trouble.”
    Ginger gasped. “That’s highway robbery! You belong in jail!”
    Sam pressed her elbow and murmured. “Easy, Miss Ginger.”
    Grant Kelley didn’t even blink at the ridiculous price. Rather, he turned over the coins and nodded to Sam and Ginger. “Ready to go?”
    â€œI’m not going anywhere with you two.”
    â€œMiss Ginger, I have a proposition for you.”
    â€œNo thanks. I’m not that sort of woman.”
    â€œAnd I’m not that sort of man.”
    â€œThen we understand each other. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll just be pushing on.”
    Before Sam could detain her, Grant grabbed her arm in an iron grip. “Would you shut up for once and just listen to the man?”
    â€œThank you, Grant.” Sam turned to the stunned woman. “Ride along with us to the wagon train and at least hear me out. If you’re not interested, you’re free to go.”
    She scrutinized him, perusing his expression. Sam highly doubted she’d have known if he had been lying, but he had to admire her for at least thinking it through before agreeing.
    â€œAll right, Mr. Two-Feathers, I’ll go with you.” She glared at Grant. “I’m not going because of you.”
    Grant’s lips twitched. “I won’t presume to believe you have anything but the deepest of disdain for me. Although I’m at a loss to know why.”
    â€œGood. Because that’s exactly what I have.” She frowned. “Disdain, that is. For you. And I got my reasons.”
    â€œThank you for your candor.”
    Eyes narrowed, she peered closer. “You laughing at me?”
    â€œWhy no, Miss Ginger,