Bushedwhacked Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

and your whorin’, your drinkin’, gamblin’ and shootin’ up the town. But insulting a sure ‘nuff lady—that I can’t abide.”
    Gabe dared to peek out over the rim of the barrel. Wide-eyed, he whined, “Ma, she ain’t no lady. Didn’t we tell you she was ridin’ in Lila Lullaby’s old parlor wagon?”
    Ma charged over and knocked over the barrel with a deft swing of her broom, prompting Gabe to scamper out and scurry away. “I’ll parlor wagon you, you back-talkin’ sidewinder.”
    “Ma, we was just tryin’ to have some fun with her,” put in Luke from behind the horse trough.
    “Fun? How ‘bout this for fun, you horse’s patooty!”
    Ma began thrashing at the horse trough with her broom, and although she couldn’t manage to overturn it, a soaked Luke quickly dashed off for cover. Then she stalked over to the wagon and used her broom handle to poke at Wes—who went bolting off with a yelp of pain.
    Jessica almost felt sorry for the men. Almost.
    “All right, Ma, that’s enough,” stated a deadly calm voice.
    All at once, everyone in the yard froze at the sound of Cole’s stern admonition. He stood at the edge of the yard with Colt drawn, and was glaring at his mother as if he meant business.
    Not daunted in the least, Ma marched over to confront her son with broom raised and ready to swing. “You! You should know better than to let your brothers carry on this way. You’re the eldest, after all.”
    “Ma, put down that broom,” he ordered.
    Ma didn’t even flinch. “Son, holster that shootin’ iron or I swear, I’m droppin’ you where you stand.”
    For a moment Cole hesitated. Then Jessica watched, amazed, as he holstered his weapon. Heavens, his mother was formidable!
    Especially as she ambled closer to her son and soundly slapped his face. Cole flinched slightly but otherwise held his ground. “You show some respect for your elders from now on, you hear? You think I’m a’feared of you, you little whippersnapper? Hell, I use’ta change your dirty britches.”
    “Ma, please,” Cole pleaded, coloring deeply.
    Jessica was astounded. She would have been willing to bet it would be impossible to embarrass this arrogant man. But she hadn’t counted on Ma. Bless her.
    Setting down her broom, Ma turned, stuffed two fin gers in her mouth, and whistled loudly. “All right, get your worthless hides over here, all of you varmints.” She smiled apologetically at Jessica. “You, too, ma’am. No offense, but I had to set them rascals in their places. It’s a mother’s call, you see.”
    Jessica struggled against a smile and headed down the steps. “No offense taken, Mrs. Reklaw.”
    The wary boys, Jessica, and Cole gathered around Ma. The younger outlaws grumbled to each other and shot Jessica resentful looks, as if she were the cause of their current troubles, rather than their own misbehavior. Cole crossed his arms over his muscled chest and pointedly ig nored Jessica.
    Ma was scowling fearsomely. “All right, boys, you gone and dry-gulched this here nice lady. How you gonna fix things?”
    All five men appeared perplexed, scratching heads and mumbling to one another.
    At last, Billy asked, “Ma, can’t we just keep her around?” Watching ire rise in his mother’s eyes, he hastily held up a hand. “I mean, if’n we behave ourselves?”
    As Ma hesitated, Gabe wheedled, “Yeah, Ma, can’t she help you out with your woman’s chores? Wouldn’t that be nice?”
    Ma ruminated over this, then shook her head. “Nope, boys, this ain’t no stray dog you brung home, but a real honest-to-gosh lady. What you gonna do if her menfolks show up to claim her?”
    As the boys scratched their heads, Jessica eagerly stepped into the gap. “Er, gents, your mother has a point. You don’t want to tangle with my people, do you?” Before they could answer, she rushed on with barely dis guised sarcasm. “You know, boys, it’s been such a pleasure being ambushed, terrified, and abused by you.