Oklahoma kiss by Unknown Page A

anything but this stilted silence. Something was definitely wrong and she was determined to learn what it was.
           A deep frown creased Blair's brow as she dismounted and tied the horse to a tree. "What am I thinking about?" she muttered under her breath. "Have I taken leave of my senses? Cookie would never set up camp so close to the ranch house. And the ranch hands must be working the ranges miles and miles away. Why did I assume the smells were coming from our chuckwagon? Because no one else should be on Townsend land—that's why!" she answered herself. "And whoever they are, I'll wager they're up to no good!"
           Then, remembering Tillie's warning about nesters, Blair removed the rifle from the saddle boot and cautiously made her way deeper into the woods, heading directly toward the woodsmoke. She breathed a sigh of relief that she was wearing men's trousers, for the rustling of a skirt would have announced her approach like the blaring of brass trumpets. She was not frightened, but common sense told her that she must be very careful. There was no telling who had camped on their land or i what their intentions were. Warren had always made it well known that no one was welcome on Town-send land unless invited, and she doubted if that standing order had been changed over the years. Especially now that the land to the north would soon be filled with homesteaders.
           If this intruder was up to no good, and if she was able to capture him, perhaps Warren would not be so angry over her returning home without his permission. It was something to think about.
           Quietly making her way forward, her lips settled into a grim line when she saw the half-dressed steer hanging from a tree. There was nothing she hated worse than a thief, but to kill an animal and then leave it to spoil was intolerable. Anger overtook her common sense. Without considering the possibility of being outnumbered, Blair stayed with the tree line for cover, and circled around, her rifle ready.
           Detecting a stronger scent of woodsmoke and cooking meat, she lowered herself to the ground and inched silently forward until the small camp came into view. Her relief was immediate that, apparently, it was inhabited by one man, and he was kneeling by the fire, his back to her.
           She started to speak, then thought better of it. Even though she clearly had the advantage, the moment he heard an educated, feminine voice, he probably wouldn't take her orders seriously. More than likely the end results would be him escaping, or a killing, because he would surely underestimate her ability to handle a gun. And she did not want a man's blood on her hands, even if he was a dirty thief.
           Then an idea began to form. Blair had met the notorious Belle Starr once before Warren had sent her back east. With her own ears she had heard the woman's speech and mannerisms change from that of a normal female to an uneducated-sounding ruffian. If she could disguise her voice and make herself sound uneducated and backwoodsy, the man might be inclined to take her more seriously than if he thought she was a lady fresh out of a finishing school. Blair glanced down at herself and grinned. She was certainly dressed for the part. If she didn't convince him, well, that was the risk she must take, and the time to act was now before her courage faltered.
           Cocking the rifle and speaking in the most surly, backwoods voice she could muster, Blair said, "All right, mister, grab you a piece of the sky. I've got you covered. If I see your hand gettin' anywhere near a gun, I'll splatter your guts all over this clearing. Now, I want you to stand up and turn around —real slow like."
           The sound of a hammer being drawn back echoed through the clearing like the booming of a cannon. Adam stiffened. Impotent anger raced through him. This was the second time in his life he had been caught by surprise. The fact