[#2 in the Bethesda Falls series - all self-contained stories!]
The
Bethesda Falls stage is robbed and Ruth Monroe, the stage depot owner, is being
coerced into selling up by local tycoon, Zachary Smith. Meanwhile, Daniel
McAlister returns from gold prospecting to wed Virginia, the saloon’s wheel of
fortune operator. Daniel hits a winning streak but is bushwhacked, his winnings
stolen.
And
newcomer to town, Horace Q. Marcy, seems to be playing a game close to his
chest, too.
Virginia
sees this romance with Daniel as her last chance of happiness and no matter
what, she’s determined to stand by her man, ducking flying bullets if need be.
Daniel and Virginia side with Ruth against Smith and his hired gunslingers.
Only a deadly showdown will end it, one way or another.
Amazon UK https://tinyurl.com/3sthcy8n
Amazon
US https://tinyurl.com/aytn3cmu
***
The
downhill swaying motion of the Bethesda coach dislodged Alfred Boddam and he
fell forward, half-into the front boot, his arm crooked over the side-lantern,
hand dangling and bashing against the flapping leather curtain.
‘What on earth’s happening?’ A passenger
boldly peeled back the curtain and stared at Alfred’s limp hand. ‘Oh, dear
Lord! Mr Boddam’s dead!’ he shrieked. ‘Nobody’s driving our coach!’
***
When
Daniel McAlister entered The Gem
saloon, Virginia Simone’s heart lurched against the fitted boned bodice of her
red satin dress and she almost made a hash of triggering the concealed device
under the roulette wheel.
Pulling her eyes away from the entrance
with an effort, she turned back to her table and flicked the hidden lever to
ensure that the House won. The ball bounced a few times and a couple of
gamblers let out exclamations of surprise. But for Virginia it was no surprise
at all. Yep, the House won when it mattered, when the stakes were high. She
hated this part of her job, suckering the poor dupes just to line the pockets
of owners Royce O’Keefe and Zachary Smith. Still your foolish pride, she told
herself; it’s a job, and she was one of the best in the whole damned Dakota
Territory.
***
Wading through the stream, Wolf Slayer
came after him.
Daniel got to one knee, withdrew his
knife and splashed water at the oncoming Indian’s face. As the Sioux warrior
was deflected for a moment, Daniel sprang.
He grasped hold of the wrist of the
Indian’s knife-hand and twisted harshly but the blade didn’t drop. Wolf Slayer
grabbed Daniel’s wrist and simultaneously brought up a knee, thrusting it into
Daniel’s belly. Daniel gasped, falling backwards, yet he managed to hold onto
the Indian’s wrist and Wolf Slayer fell on top of him. The man’s breath was
foul, but he imagined his own wasn’t much better.
The underwater rocks were smooth but
unforgiving hard against his back. Spluttering, stream-water lapping round his
face, Daniel felt his strength ebbing as Wolf Slayer thrust a knee on his
chest, pressing down hard. It wouldn’t take long before his rib-cage broke
under the pressure. Wolf Slayer’s free hand was clamped around Daniel’s throat,
trying to force his head under water.
Review: “This is one good read... not a typical western – it has character, humour and storylines with enough questions in the plot to maintain interest from beginning to end. Strongly recommended.”
Previously
published by Robert Hale 2008 - now re-published as a paperback!
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