Free Christmas for Ransom by Tanya Hanson

to sense dawn even in the dark. God, he had to find Gitts. Ahab even. Let them get on to safety. Let him return to respectability and take on a bride.
    Wound so tight against him, her body almost screamed at him not to leave. Eliza might be his future, but Ahab and the boys were his past. Both needed his full attention. With a solemn kiss of promise on her forehead, he scrambled into his clothes and near melted, seeing her curled up warm and safe. Parting from her even for a day or two broke his heart. But all would soon be well. He’d warn the gang and get on with his own life.
    He kissed her one last time, grateful when she stirred against him, saddled up Nitro so quietly the other horses didn’t stir. From her saddlebags, he took the grub she’d got from Miz Letha May, and set off in the falling snow. A good thing, that. He’d leave no trail behind.
    She’d said something about her granny’s reward money, and for a flash, Ransom was tempted. Having some significant cash in hand could let him start out a new life, a new life worthy of a wife. Might let him somehow restitute the crimes he’d spent half his life doing.
    The icy morning air bit into his skin, and he longed for her warmth almost with desperation. But Ransom wasn’t a turncoat. Not even for money, not even for Eliza. He’d get his warning done, and come back for her.

Chapter Seven
    All night long, Eliza had pretended sleep, choking back tears and soaking up Ransom’s warmth. Her life had been perfect for that little space of time, and now what?
    At Thanksgiving, Jack Ransom had mauled her, thieved granny’s horses. Lied to her every step of the way since she’d invited him to Stony Brook for Christmas. Knew the whole time she was Eliza Willows. Hid his true voice as easy as he disguised stolen animals.
    Oh, all the pretence, all his silly comments about what he reckoned outlaws might do. He knew full well what they’d do. Because he’d done it himself.
    But all during the night, her heart softened with unbidden love, and her body screamed with desire as he snored softly next to her. He had proposed. Even knowing who she was, he’d asked for her hand. He must have known she’d find him out someday. Maybe he planned to confess, right his wrongs, mend his evil ways.
    Then why leave her now? She no longer believed for a second he was after some two-timing husband.
    It smacked her in the gut. He was rejoining the gang. Whatever reason he’d had for leaving them the last few days had come and passed. He certainly hadn’t left Ahab Perkins to come find a wife.
    Her heart cracked. The proposal must have been a sham after all. Likely to soften her up when she found out who he really was. That was it. Of course. What well-satisfied woman could bear to see her lover’s neck stretched?
    In the dawn, the ugly image of him swinging from a noose burst in her head as she scrambled awake, unsurprised to find the hayloft empty. Desolation swamped her. He might have treated her right and kept her warm last night, but he also might have filled her head with false promises. But if he hadn’t…
    What if he truly meant his love, his proposal?
    She chewed her lip as she held down shivers and climbed into her clothes. Oh, it could be sweet satisfaction upon Granny’s sensibilities to return to the Stony Brook with an outlaw as her mate. But buttoning her vest, Eliza realized she wasn’t that granddaughter anymore. Granny was an old woman, and they needed to be friends.
    And the best way into Granny’s good graces once again would be getting Ransom arrested and convicted. Her heart smashed beyond fixing this time.
    Spirits heavy, Eliza climbed down the loft ladder and saddled up Firewalker. The paint nuzzled Oneida as he passed the mare, and Eliza’s heart panged. Of course Nitro’s stall was empty, and the barn door unlocked. She shoved away the delicious memories of last night.
    She laughed bitterly. Last night had been her idea. Ransom would merely think her