Beneath The Texas Sky Read Online Free Page B

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    Josh added, already thinking of problems they might encounter while traveling, “I’ll wear the ring for now. Should anyone ask, we’ll explain you as my wife. Proper young women don’t usually travel even this wild country without a chaperone, and I plan on dropping your aunt off at the first settlement. You have my word as a gentleman, you’ll be safe.”
    Bethanie was silent for a moment. Josh knew she was considering his last statement. It gnawed at him that she should question his code of honor, but then he had as yet given her no reason to trust him.
    She took her grandmother’s gold band and slipped it on her finger as if the action sealed a bargain. “All right. I’ll do whatever it takes to get out of here. I don’t mind helping cook at your brother’s ranch. It will give me time to think.”
    “Fine.” Josh relaxed for the first time. He stood and pulled at his bearded chin. “Two things before you go. First, tell no one of our agreement. No one.”
    Bethanie nodded. “I have no one to say farewell to in this town.”
    “Get yourself a pair of denim pants and a boy’s shirt.”Josh continued. “Second, meet me behind the hotel an hour before dawn. I’ll get an extra horse, and you can ride on ahead before your uncle comes out. Later, we can explain to your aunt that I agreed to take three for the price of two.”
    “Why dress in pants?” Bethanie leaned forward, interested in his plan.
    Josh rubbed his forehead with one hand. Weariness rippled his features. “If someone sees us from a distance, I’d rather they think two men and two women are riding than one man and three women.”
    “I think that sounds wise.” Bethanie stood to leave, satisfied with their agreement. As she offered her hand to thank Josh Weston, a sharp rap sounded at the door. She jumped beside him, energy exploding within her.
    Josh grabbed her elbow and whirled her toward the opening in the panel. “Get back,” he whispered. His body pressed closer to her as he pulled her into the dark corner. “I’ll meet you out back before dawn.”
    Before Bethanie could comment, he shoved her back through the opening. She watched in fear as he pulled the panel almost closed. From her darkened bedroom, she saw Josh’s movements through the slit opening. He darted across the dimly lit room. One hand silently pulled the door open as the other rested lightly on his gun.
    To Bethanie’s surprise a priest stood in the hall. His face was in shadows under his hood, reminding her of the Angel of Death.
    “Brother Michael.” Josh greeted the priest warmly with a brisk slap on the holy man’s back. He grabbed the brown robes of the priest’s shoulders and began pulling him in before Brother Michael could speak. Then, Josh quickly secured the door.
    “Joshua, my son,” the young priest whispered, as he removed his hood to reveal sandy hair and a beardedboyish face. His eyes were light blue with an interesting alloy of kindness and mischief.
    Bethanie watched in fascination through the crack as the two men shook hands. They were alike in age and height, but all their features varied. Josh with his dark earth brown eyes and black hair contrasted with Michael’s sky blue eyes and sandy curls. Each was goodlooking in a strong, independent way.
    “Pretty good cover,” Mike complimented himself. “Nobody pays any attention to me when I’m dressed like this. My guess is I could stay right here when the outfit has this big meeting next week, and they wouldn’t even notice me.”
    “Now wait a minute, Mike,” Josh interrupted. “I know you’d like to stay around, but things are just too hot here for you right now. You’re going to be needed at the roundup. Ben says there’s bound to be trouble.”
    “Oh, your brother is a worrier.” Mike grunted and moved to the bed. “The roundup doesn’t sound near as much fun as being here. I’d give these robes to know who’s the boss of this operation.” He flopped