The Golden Rules of Love: Western Romance by Tammy Andresen Page A

starting to claim plots so there is no real method for tracking anyone down, as you well know, Collin. The camps are transient at best. But the US military is surely at your assistance. If you need anything, Mrs. Mackinnon, you come find me.” His eyes bore into hers and his meaning was absolutely clear. Even with Mack right there, he was offering her more than help.
    Her hands clenched but she murmured, “Thank you.” Mack began pushing her towards his horse. This time he put her on the front of the horse and then climbed up behind her. She sat sideways, nestled between his legs. One of her arms wrapped around his waist.
    As they cleared the camp, Annie let out a breath. “What was that all about?”
    “There are very few women around and vigilante law. Even married women can suddenly find themselves widowed. He was making sure you came to him if I weren’t in the picture.”
    Annie’s head snapped up to look Mack in the eyes. “I don’t know if I’ve thanked you enough for what you’re doing for me.”
    He looked down at her and placed a soft kiss on her lips but his face was set in rigid lines. “If I get us both out of here alive, you can thank me properly. Until then, try to listen to what I say.”
    “You’re a good man, Collin Mackinnon.” She reached up and gave him a brief but fierce kiss on the lips.
    “That may be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” He grinned at her.
    She didn’t respond. Instead she snuggled closer, enjoying the feel of his body against hers. She hadn’t changed her mind about getting married again. She wasn’t ready to trust anyone like that but somehow she was relaxing her guard with Mack.
    The next week passed in a blur. They travelled from camp to camp, asking if anyone knew or had heard of a Jasper Conway or a Fergal Mackinnon. No one had.  She must have talked to a hundred men. It was hopeless.
    Mack did sell his goods quickly, at double and sometimes triple the expected price. He put the money in his saddlebag and then had her sit side saddle with her legs and skirt covering it. Then he would disappear for fifteen minutes before coming back to the fire for dinner.
    Most of the settlers had moved on to their final destination but a few were still there and Mack’s crew was all there. Mary Beth stayed with Annie and with Tom’s help, hunted for her husband as well.
    “I thought crossing the country was going to be the tough part,” Mary Beth said on the third day.
    Annie sighed. “Tell me about it. There are thousands of people and more coming every day.”
    “What are you going to do if you don’t find Jasper?” Mary Beth gave her a sideways glance.
    “Go back East, I guess, and start over. You could come with me.” Annie smiled at her friend.
    “I just might, Annie, I just might.” Her voice was quiet and her shoulders slumped.
    “We might find him yet.” Annie reached out for her friend’s hand, giving it a squeeze.
    “He was a lousy husband anyway. He was always out of work, drinking our money away. I took in laundry and I had to hide what I made. He found my stash and used it to pay his way across the country. I borrowed the money to chase after him. But all this time on the trail has made me wonder why. Why am I chasing him? Why was I foolish enough to marry him?”
    Annie gave her a friend a squeeze. “Garrett left me in St. Louis because I was pregnant. He didn’t want to have to care for a pregnant woman on the trail. But he left me with no food and no money. He said he was leaving me to provide for us but…” Annie felt tears prick at her eyes.
    Mary Beth wrapped her arms around her friend. Another hand came down on her shoulder. She looked up to see Mack staring down at her.
    “What happened to the baby?” His voice was deadly quiet.
    “I lost it a week later. I didn’t have money for a doctor or a burial. I…” Annie couldn’t continue. She was too choked with tears and she didn’t want either of them to see her