Runaway by Bobbi Smith Page A

of the Cooper Gang. Furious that she’d put herself in such a dangerous situation, he grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her back up to her feet. “Don’t move—” he snarled in a low voice as he made short order of lighting the lamp.
    Dolly did as he’d ordered. She swallowed nervously as she waited to see what he was going to do.
    Lane faced her, his gun still in hand. “What are you doing here?”
    “I had to talk to you, but I couldn’t do it at the saloon. I wanted to let you know what happened—”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “The Cooper gang—They were in town—” she began in a strangled voice.
    The tension that had filled him began to ease, and he was suddenly worried about her safety. “Does anyone else know you’re here? Did you tell anyone you were coming to talk to me?”
    “No, I didn’t tell anyone. I made sure no one knew. I came in through the alley. No one saw me.”
    Lane was glad she’d been that smart. He remained silent for a second, realizing just how well she’d concealed herself in the alley. He hadn’t seen her when he’d looked out, and knowing that he’d missed her left him disgusted with himself. He wouldn’t make the mistake of being so careless again.
    He motioned her toward the bed. “Sit down.”
    Dolly sat on the edge of his bed.
    “Talk,” he ordered as he holstered his gun. He was ready to listen to what she had to tell him.
    She quickly explained everything she knew about the gang and what had happened when they visited the saloon. “I overheard Dan talking to Seth Rawlins. Dan won the Circle D, but Seth is going there to the ranch to pretend to be the new owner and take over running it. The gang is going to use it for their hideout.”
    Her story made perfect sense to him. “How long ago did they ride out?” “Two days ago.”
    Lane nodded. “Were they all heading to the ranch?”
    “I don’t know for sure. I just know that they all rode out together that day.”
    His mood grew grim. Lane was familiar with the Circle D Ranch. It was a good distance away, probably close to a week’s ride. Lane knew if he rode hard and fast, he might still be able to catch up with Cooper and his gang before they made it to the ranch and got settled in.
    “Why are you telling me this? You know you’re putting yourself in danger by helping me.”
    Dolly looked up at him, and as their gazes met, he could see fierce emotion blazing in her eyes.
    “I hate Seth and Dan, and all those gunmen! They’re nothing but animals—filthy, horrible animals—” Her fury was so great, her words were choked off.
    “What did they do to you?” Lane heard the pain in her voice and knew there was more to the story.
    “It wasn’t what they did to me. It’s what Seth did to my friend Francie,” she answered, trying not to cry.
    Lane tensed as he waited to hear what she was going to tell him.
    “Seth beat her so badly…He broke her arm, and she’s so bruised and battered…She can’t work now. She can barely get around, she’s in such pain…I wish I’d known what he was doing to her, but I didn’t until it was all over and they were gone.” Dolly angrily wiped away her tears. “Then when she couldn’t work anymore, Harold threw her out.”
    “Where is she now?”
    “Reverend Thompson and his wife have been helping her.”
    “So there are some good people in this town,” he said solemnly.
    “Yes, but they know just how evil—and deadly—Dan Cooper and his men can be. Most of them are too scared to do anything about the gang.” Dolly looked up at him. “I want you to find them, Ranger Madison, and make them pay for all the horrible things they’ve done!”
    Lane went to her and looked her straight in the eye as he told her, “I will.”
    The power of her emotions left her trembling as she whispered a heartfelt, “Thank you.”
    “Do you want me to walk you back to your room?” he offered, concerned for her safety.
    “No! We can’t be seen together. No