Free Carol Finch by Lady Renegade Page A

desire for her. He should’ve left her at marshal camp, but they’d likely take her side, just because of her compelling beauty and irrepressible spirit.
    “I didn’t ask for the specifics. I had just captured Pecos Clem when she walked out of the fog. I took her captive when I realized who she was, then headed for camp. Then Glenn showed up and here I am.”
    “I think you need more details,” Galen insisted.
    “Thank you so much for telling me how to do my job.”
    Galen yawned again. “You’re welcome. Always glad to return the favor, big brother.”
    Gideon rolled his eyes ceilingward and expelled an audible sigh. “You think I’m a tyrant, too?”
    “She said it. I didn’t.”
    “Always nice to have family support and appreciation,” Gideon grumbled sarcastically as he rose from the chair. “I cared for you and our reckless little brother for years after we lost our parents. This is the thanks I get.”
    “Thanks,” Galen said dutifully.
    “Thank me by staying in bed until the fever breaks. I’ll scout the area to see if I can pick up the horse thieves’ trail.”
    “I’d appreciate it, Gid. Those horses are our future. All of our futures. One day we can resign our commission in law enforcement and live comfortably here.”
    “I’m looking forward to it,” Gideon admitted as he walked away.
    He’d spent too many years battling the elements and outlaws, while living like a predator in the wilds. But a marshal’s salary and collected bounties paid the bills and made it possible to purchase exceptional broodmares and stallions. Gideon and his family had made money selling livestock to stage stations for years, but they were making a name for themselves with Appaloosa and pinto crossbreeds. Horses like Pirate were in great demand and brought high prices because of their flashy color, unique markings, speed and powerfully built bodies.
    Speaking of Pirate, Gideon had left the stallion tied to the hitching post. The horse was his most reliable friend and constant companion. He needed attention and a bucket of grain.
    Striding down the hall, Gideon glanced up then skidded to a halt when he saw Lori sitting at the dining table withGlenn and Sarah. Like old friends making up for lost time, they were talking quietly.
    He would not let that female weasel her way into Gideon’s family and turn everyone against him. “What’s going on?” he growled, making the threesome flinch in surprise. “My prisoner is to remain tied outside in the barn.”
    Glenn squared his shoulders and met Gideon’s condemning frown. “She’s a woman and she deserves better treatment. I watched Mother be mistreated and knocked around, as if she counted for nothing. I won’t have Lori tied up with the sheep while she’s at my ranch.”
    “ Our ranch.” Gideon was quick to correct him.
    “I’m here more than you are,” Glenn pointed out. “So…you want something to eat or not?”
    Gideon muttered under his breath when Lori glanced up at him briefly. He could tell she’d been crying by the redness and swelling around her golden eyes. Probably crocodile tears to draw Sarah and Glenn’s sympathy. These two were younger and more trusting than Galen and Gideon, whose rough-and-tumble profession made them jaded and cautious.
    While Lori ignored him completely, Gideon took a seat and ate the tasty stew in silence. Lori posed questions to Sarah and Glenn, who were gracious hosts and were eager to share their life stories. No harm in that, Gideon supposed. However, he wasn’t going to soften toward the flame-haired siren who played hell with his iron-willed self-discipline until he had all the facts.
    If he decided to open an investigation rather than carting her back to the marshals’ mobile headquarters.
    He refused to listen to Lori’s side of the story. If he investigated, he wanted to hear what the Widow Burgess had to say about the incident. But first and foremost, heneeded to recover the stolen horses so Galen