Robin Lee Hatcher Read Online Free Page B

work. Bethany could have stood there all day.
    Hawk turned from the horse, and his gaze, hard and unflinching, met hers. Heat rose in her cheeks, but she couldn’t look away. He walked toward her, his gait easy, his stride long. The closer he got, the more intimidating he seemed.
    She forced herself to smile. “Good day, Mr. Chandler.” She tilted her head to one side. “My friend and I were out for a ride and heard a commotion. This was exciting to see.”
    “You’re a long way from Sweetwater.” There was nothing welcoming in his tone.
    “I know, but the day was warm, and it’s such lovely country.”
    “It’s not safe for you to ride out this far from town on your own.”
    “But I was here with Father just yesterday. We saw nothing to be afraid of.”
    “You don’t always see danger coming in this country, Miss Silverton.”
    She didn’t care for his advice, but perhaps she could take advantage of it. “I . . . I didn’t think of that, sir. Perhaps . . . would you mind escorting us back to town?”
    Not for all the world would she admit, even to herself, how much she hoped he would agree. She wanted to talk to him, to get to know what went on behind those dark eyes. And if he had a wife? Well then, she would want to know her too.
    Wouldn’t she?
    Unsure of herself — an uncharacteristic feeling — Bethany lowered her gaze.
    Rand broke the silence. “How about if we offer these nice ladies something to eat and then I’ll see them back to town.”
    An escort home by Mr. Howard wouldn’t serve her cause. It wasn’t him she desired to know. It wasn’t him she wanted to come to church. “We wouldn’t want to put you or your wife out, Mr. Chandler.” She looked at Hawk, anxious for his answer.
    “There’s no Mrs. Chandler. And we’ll go into town together. I mean to have a word with the reverend and tell him to keep you at home before you wind up in trouble.”
    At that, a flash of anger replaced all other emotions. “My father has no need of your advice, sir. I may be a woman, but I assure you I’m not helpless.”
    For the first time, she saw him grin, and it had a startling effect on her equilibrium. She forgot everything in that moment.
    He climbed over the fence and dropped to the ground near her. “That’s debatable, miss.” The humor vanished as quickly as it had come. “And I still mean to talk to your father. Next time you might not find the men you meet as friendly as we are.”
    Her irritation returned, even stronger than before. “Less friendly than you, Mr. Chandler?” She tossed her head as she turned toward her mare. “I shouldn’t think that possible.” After she was mounted, she looked at Rand. “Ingrid and I thank you for your kind invitation to dine, Mr. Howard, but we must decline. Good day.”
    She hoped Ingrid followed as she rode away. She didn’t dare look back. Not until she’d put more distance between her and Hawk Chandler.

    Hawk and Rand rode behind the two women. By now, Bethany had to know they were there, that she hadn’t cowed him with her superior air or swayed him with her coy glances. But she never looked back. Not even once. She rode that mare with her head high and her shoulders straight as an arrow.
    Maybe she had a point. Maybe he shouldn’t take it upon himself to tell her father how to manage her. But once he’d suggested it, he had to carry through. Besides, he was right. A woman alone without even a gun or a rifle could get into all sorts of trouble, if not from disreputable men, then from snakes or wolves or other wild animals.
    Up ahead, Bethany stopped her horse. “Ingrid, look. What on earth is that?” She pointed toward a mound of sun-baked bones.
    Hawk rode up beside her. “The remains of a buffalo herd.”
    She looked at him, obviously considering whether or not she should deign to acknowledge him. Curiosity apparently won. “What killed them?”
    “Greed.”
    Her brows rose as her eyes widened in question.
    It was Rand who