Forever Ecstasy Read Online Free

friend. Trappers who don’t work for companies mostly come to sell their winter catches before long. They spend a month or so jawing, drinking, whoring, and gambling. Then they resupply and go back to their trapping grounds. River’s the safest way to get there from here. It’s eastward. We’re heading southwest. You don’t need to ride in that direction.”
    Joe knew the man was lying. The trail he’d followed for days was heading northwestward and Crow Territory and Benton were both in that direction! Zeke’s careless mistake and odd behavior told Joe he’d been smart to follow his gut instinct. But it was clear that the ruffian was adamant about them parting ways at sunrise. When the others remained silent, Joe yawned and flexed his shoulders. “I wish I could change your mind, Zeke, but I understand.” “I’ll get my gun and help keep guard tonight,” he offered. “I don’t want any Indians sneaking into camp while we’re asleep.”
    “No need,” Zeke said. “We take two-hour shifts each, even when it seems safe. We’ve done scouted the area. The Sioux are still holed up in their winter camps south of here, and it’s a good ways to Crow Territory. You can rest easy tonight, then be on your way at dawn.”
    Joe smiled, then asked Clem, “You got another bottle of that good whiskey I can buy? It’s been a dusty and tiring ride today.”
    Before Clem or Zeke could reply, Farley said, “Plenty, iffen you got—”
    “No!” the hefty leader interrupted and came to his feet. “The way Clem’s been slopping down our supply like a bottomless pig, it’s about gone, except for that bottle I got in my gear. You’re welcome to a swig or two of it, Lawrence. I’ll fetch it. You stay here with the boys.”
    Joe saw how the large man got to his feet with ease and agility, then left the smoky fire to head for the front wagon. With Zeke gone, maybe he could get answers to the beautiful mystery nearby, he thought. “One of you having trouble with your squaw?” Joe inquired in a genial tone as he nodded to the captive some thirty feet away at the second wagon. The moon’s angle and tall trees now placed the confining wagon and young female in almost obscuring shadows, but Joseph Lawrence had a mental picture of her that would never vanish.
    The half-inebriated Clem glanced in the beauty’s direction, chuckled, and revealed, “We’s taking her to the boss. Caught her whilst we wuz scouting. He likes ’em young, full of spirit and fight. She oughta last a few weeks, maybe months if he’s more careful this time. He uses ’em up fast. Just ’twixt us, Joe, I’d like a bite of her flesh meself. Maybe we can talk—”
    “Shut up, you drunken fool,” Zeke warned, his eyes narrowing as he passed Joe the half-empty bottle. “Don’t pay Clem no mind,” he said. “His brain’s sour mash by now. He’s teasing you. But if he don’t stop drinking and lying so much, I’m gonna get rid of him. He knows I traded for her in a Crow camp yesterday. You can see she didn’t care much for being sold by her pappy. She’ll settle down soon and make me a good squaw.”
    Joe noticed the bite mark on Zeke’s hand that he rubbed as he lied. The woman presented Joe with a difficult decision: rescue her and lose this contact, or ignore her imminent fate so he could try to stay with these offensive men. With Zeke so mad at Clem, maybe he could persuade the leader to let him join them. If he pulled off that feat and they reached their destination, he’d never be able to free her. Yetif these men were connected to the murderous villain he was after… “She’s beautiful, Zeke I’m sure a strong man like you will have her tamed fast. I’ve always heard that a woman with fire is more fun than one who’s quiet and cowardly. I’d say you got a good deal, a real challenge.” He sipped whiskey and deliberated which course to sail tonight.
    The Oglala maiden was awake and alert, and she tried to ignore the chill on her