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The saying God looks out for fools and idiots hadn t held for her. Tracker didn t know how God could have overlooked Maddie.
No matter. Though she was near twenty by her count, she was like a sweet child trapped perpetually in the optimism of youth. Ever since
Tracker had brought her in from Alguiero, Tia had been trying to teach her proper manners. The result was that Maddie still greeted everyone as if she
were the hostess at a cathouse, though she did it with impeccable correctness.
Hello, gentlemen.
No one said anything. The moment stretched out.
Is this your first time to Hell s Eight?
Maddie was having one of her flighty days. Anxiety did that to her.
There s no need to be shy. Our ladies are the finest in the state and guaranteed to make a man feel welcome.
Caine swore. Shit.
Easy, Tracker warned. She s the only one who knows what happened here.
I don t have time for this.
Make time, Sam snapped.
Tracker nudged Buster closer. Hello, Maddie.
Her round face melted into a genuine smile. Tracker, how wonderful to see you again. I assume you ll be wanting time with Ari. Her voice
dropped to a conspiratorial half whisper. She s one of our favorites. Very much in demand. Why, just last night several of her suitors got into a tussle as to
who would win her favor.
Translated, the first part meant Maddie knew he d been with Ari, and that Maddie liked Ari. The last made his stomach sink. For the first
time in his life he felt true fear.
So I see.
Maddie glanced around. They did make a mess. Tia wasn t happy. She hit one over the head with her rolling pin.
A wave of fresh unease went through the men. The attackers had gotten into the house.
Hurry it up, Tracker, Caine hissed.
Where is the one Tia hit? Tracker asked.
Maddie looked concerned. He hasn t woken up yet.
Tracker wasn t surprised. Tia s rolling pin was made of stone.
I m sure he will soon. Could you let Ari know I m here?
Maddie s face fell. She hated to disappoint anyone. I m sorry, but all our ladies are currently occupied.
The hell you say. Caine kneed his horse forward up onto the steps. Maddie screamed and fell back. Tracker jumped down and grabbed
her before she could run. His own impatience made it nearly impossible to hold a civilized tone.
Sally Mae isn t going to like that, Maddie whispered, holding on to Tracker s arm while Caine hollered for Desi. She told me horses
don t belong in the house, ever.
Tracker didn t want to know what had brought up that discussion.
Where is Sally Mae?
Maddie shook her head. She s at the cemetery with everyone else. She blinked, wide-eyed, as if surprised he didn t know. Today s the
funeral.
Caine! Tracker hollered. Sam was already riding out, Caden following suit. Ace came forward with Zach. What?
They re at the cemetery.
Son of a bitch.
Who died, Maddie?
One of Mr. Zach s men. And Mrs. Desi s mom and dad.
They were lucky they d lost only one, and not the women, but still, one was too many.
Maddie, I ve got a man who s hurt. Can you care for him until Sally Mae comes back?
Sally Mae was as close to a doctor as they had, and truth be told, Tracker had yet to see a real doctor equal her skills. It made her pacifist
views tolerable.
Oh, yes. Sally Mae has been teaching me what to do. She says I have a real knack for doctoring.
Ace smiled and dismounted. Good, then you can practice on Zach.
Maddie hurried forward, her whole demeanor changing. Zach is hurt?
Yes.
What are you waiting for? Bring him into the parlor.
Tracker dropped the reins and went to help Ace with the unconscious Zach. Damned if she didn t sound just like Sally Mae right then.
You got this, Maddie? he asked as they carried Zach onto the porch.
She stood soldier straight, a confident smile on her face. I ve got this.
Tracker shook his head. He d never understand women. Things that should make them cower gave them confidence. Things they should
face without batting an eyelash sent them screaming for cover. For Christ s sake, Maddie got hysterical at the sight of a spider!
They carried Zach between them into the house. The first room on the right was the sickroom. Desi had dressed it up with some blue-
and-white curtains, but it still carried the scent of carbolic, which removed any sense of cheer. Zach moaned as they laid him straight. Right away Maddie [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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The saying God looks out for fools and idiots hadn t held for her. Tracker didn t know how God could have overlooked Maddie.
No matter. Though she was near twenty by her count, she was like a sweet child trapped perpetually in the optimism of youth. Ever since
Tracker had brought her in from Alguiero, Tia had been trying to teach her proper manners. The result was that Maddie still greeted everyone as if she
were the hostess at a cathouse, though she did it with impeccable correctness.
Hello, gentlemen.
No one said anything. The moment stretched out.
Is this your first time to Hell s Eight?
Maddie was having one of her flighty days. Anxiety did that to her.
There s no need to be shy. Our ladies are the finest in the state and guaranteed to make a man feel welcome.
Caine swore. Shit.
Easy, Tracker warned. She s the only one who knows what happened here.
I don t have time for this.
Make time, Sam snapped.
Tracker nudged Buster closer. Hello, Maddie.
Her round face melted into a genuine smile. Tracker, how wonderful to see you again. I assume you ll be wanting time with Ari. Her voice
dropped to a conspiratorial half whisper. She s one of our favorites. Very much in demand. Why, just last night several of her suitors got into a tussle as to
who would win her favor.
Translated, the first part meant Maddie knew he d been with Ari, and that Maddie liked Ari. The last made his stomach sink. For the first
time in his life he felt true fear.
So I see.
Maddie glanced around. They did make a mess. Tia wasn t happy. She hit one over the head with her rolling pin.
A wave of fresh unease went through the men. The attackers had gotten into the house.
Hurry it up, Tracker, Caine hissed.
Where is the one Tia hit? Tracker asked.
Maddie looked concerned. He hasn t woken up yet.
Tracker wasn t surprised. Tia s rolling pin was made of stone.
I m sure he will soon. Could you let Ari know I m here?
Maddie s face fell. She hated to disappoint anyone. I m sorry, but all our ladies are currently occupied.
The hell you say. Caine kneed his horse forward up onto the steps. Maddie screamed and fell back. Tracker jumped down and grabbed
her before she could run. His own impatience made it nearly impossible to hold a civilized tone.
Sally Mae isn t going to like that, Maddie whispered, holding on to Tracker s arm while Caine hollered for Desi. She told me horses
don t belong in the house, ever.
Tracker didn t want to know what had brought up that discussion.
Where is Sally Mae?
Maddie shook her head. She s at the cemetery with everyone else. She blinked, wide-eyed, as if surprised he didn t know. Today s the
funeral.
Caine! Tracker hollered. Sam was already riding out, Caden following suit. Ace came forward with Zach. What?
They re at the cemetery.
Son of a bitch.
Who died, Maddie?
One of Mr. Zach s men. And Mrs. Desi s mom and dad.
They were lucky they d lost only one, and not the women, but still, one was too many.
Maddie, I ve got a man who s hurt. Can you care for him until Sally Mae comes back?
Sally Mae was as close to a doctor as they had, and truth be told, Tracker had yet to see a real doctor equal her skills. It made her pacifist
views tolerable.
Oh, yes. Sally Mae has been teaching me what to do. She says I have a real knack for doctoring.
Ace smiled and dismounted. Good, then you can practice on Zach.
Maddie hurried forward, her whole demeanor changing. Zach is hurt?
Yes.
What are you waiting for? Bring him into the parlor.
Tracker dropped the reins and went to help Ace with the unconscious Zach. Damned if she didn t sound just like Sally Mae right then.
You got this, Maddie? he asked as they carried Zach onto the porch.
She stood soldier straight, a confident smile on her face. I ve got this.
Tracker shook his head. He d never understand women. Things that should make them cower gave them confidence. Things they should
face without batting an eyelash sent them screaming for cover. For Christ s sake, Maddie got hysterical at the sight of a spider!
They carried Zach between them into the house. The first room on the right was the sickroom. Desi had dressed it up with some blue-
and-white curtains, but it still carried the scent of carbolic, which removed any sense of cheer. Zach moaned as they laid him straight. Right away Maddie [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]