wagon. âWell, lookee what we have here.â
Fannie shoved the barrel of the pistol inches from his nose. His eyes widened. âHey, now. Whatâs this?â
âGet back,â Fannie said, mustering all of her courage.
âNow, you take it easy there, little gal. Do you even know how to use that thing?â
âYouâd best get back, mister,â Fannie warned, relieved that her voice held steady. âOr I might have to demonstrate just how straight I can shoot by putting a bullet in your head.â
âNow, no need to be threatening.â But he backed up, obviously not willing to call her bluff.
âToni, grab his gun from his belt.â
The saloon girl stood on shaky legs and did as she was instructed, obviously still a bit disoriented. Fresh anger washed over Fannie. Why did men just think they could beat on women all the time? âTake out his gun and keep a close eye on him. If he makes any quick moves, plug him.â
âO-okay,â Toni said.
With Toni covering Arnold, Fannie climbed from the wagon, catching her breath as a sudden sharp pain in her side nearly sent her into a swoon. She gathered herself togetherand shook off the dizziness. âYou two stay put,â she instructed the twins.
âAw, Fannie. I could help,â Kip said.
Fannie hesitated, then inclined her head. As much as she hated to admit it, she really did need the boyâs help. âDo we have any extra rope?â
Arnold sent up a roar of outrage. âYou think Iâm going to let a bunch of kids and a whore tie me up?â
Fannie swung around to face the man. He wasnât the pathetic, drunken fool Tom was. His eyes glittered cold as ice. No. This man wouldnât sit by passively while they made their escape. Besides, now that heâd seen them, heâd go back and find Tom, hours before theyâd planned. All the months and months of planning would be for nothing.
âWhat are we going to do, Fannie?â Katieâs whisper-soft voice eked out of the wagon.
The sound of her sisterâs fearful question brought Fannie to a quick decision. She nodded decisively. âWeâll have to kill him.â She hadnât meant to speak the words aloud. But now that she had, she knew she had no choice. It was him or them. And sheâd rather see him die than risk Kip and Katie going back to Tom.
âNow, just hold on a dad gum minute, little girl. You go right ahead and tie me up. I wonât make no fuss.â
âFannieââToniâs soft voice penetrated the barnââkilling is too good for him, I understand, but if you do this, youâll be no better than he is, or George, or Tom.â
âListen to her, Fannie,â Arnold said, his voice beginning totremble with fear. âYou donât want to have my life on your conscience, do you?â
âYou shut up,â she said, waving the gun menacingly. âYou hear?â Her mind swirled with possible scenarios. And none were pretty.
The barn door swung open, revealing a hulking shadow against the sunâs brilliance. âWhatâs this?â Hank Moore stepped out of the glare, with his gun drawn, and Fannie nearly fainted, so grateful was she to see him.
âOh, Hank.â Toniâs relief was unmistakable. âArnold is trying to take me back.â
The smithy sent a cold glare toward the henchman. âWell, I reckon we ainât gonna let that happen.â
Arnoldâs face turned to stone. âGeorge ainât gonna like you helping his girl.â
Hank ignored the other man and turned to Kip. âYou shouldnât have kept the team hitched all night, son. But no matter now. Pull the wagon out and get the women settled in.â
âDo as he says, Kip,â Fannie instructed. âWeâve likely already missed the wagon train by a good three hours. We have some time to make up.â
âWhat are you going to do?â Toni
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