Kate's Outlaw (Steam! Romance and Rails) Read Online Free PDF

leather strings to retie her hands. The fear banding her chest eased slightly. He wasn't as hard as he wanted her to believe. Which meant, she might be able to coerce him into returning her.
    He hefted the saddle and handed her the bedroll. "Come on."
    "Where are we going?" As soon as she stepped outside, she had to stop to let her eyes adjust to the bright daylight. Over by the trees, only her captor’s paint stallion remained.
    He nudged her towards his horse. "Stop dragging your feet."
    “What’s the hurry?” And why were they leaving without the other man? She'd already figured out they must intend to ransom her. Had they argued about how to split it? His cold-eyed partner had looked like as though he would just as soon do away with her. Maybe the younger Indian was spiriting her away to get the money. That could be a good thing. Greed, she could manage.
    How much should she offer? Most of her wealth was tied up in railroad stock and her cash went to daily expenses. Still, she could scrape together enough to impress an impoverished Indian. "I'll give you a hundred dollars if you take me back."
    He threw the blanket and saddle over the horse. Had she not offered enough? Or did he know she was Levi Parsons' heir. If so, he'd expect much more.
    "What if I promise to give you enough so you won't have to steal anymore? You could go somewhere and start over."
    Her captor shot her a frowning glance. After securing the bedroll, he clamped his hands around her waist. Awareness zinged through her. She jerked away, flustered and confused. Why this attraction to a stranger, an outlaw? It made no sense. Had to be the odd situation that made her feel close to him. Only, she’d never felt these things when Henry touched her.
    "Get on the horse,” he demanded.
    “I just offered you money. Name your price.”
    His eyes made a slow trek down her body, and the tingles turned into full-fledged shivers.
    She held her ground, praying he couldn’t see how thoroughly he unsettled her. "You…you want gold, I imagine."
    "I want you to stop talking and mount up." He laced his fingers together and motioned for her to put her foot in his hand so he could assist her. “Up you go.”
    Kate licked her lips, growing more nervous. If she rode in front of him again, he would touch her and her body would betray her weakness. Besides, she couldn’t get away with his arms around her. "I'll ride behind you."
    His scowl reappeared. " So you can kick my horse again?”
    “I won’t. I promise.” She mentally crossed her fingers.
    His face darkened with anger. "Get in the saddle, unless you want to stay here and wait for Charley."
    "Charley? Is that your partner?
    Alarm flashed in his eyes. He’d let the name slip unintentionally, along with something else. That cruel look on the other man’s face, she hadn't misread it. Charley wanted to kill her.
     
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    Jake held Redbird tight as he guided his horse down the narrow path leading away from the hideout. He'd leave a trail so Charley would think he’d returned her to the railroad worksite, but when he reached the creek branch he'd take to the water in a different direction. His cousin would be furious when he finally figured out where they were going, but at least this would delay any decision on ransoming their captive—or killing her.
    "Are we going back?" She craned her neck as if she was trying to look around the next bend. "The path looks familiar."
    Jake sighed wearily. Should he tell her where he was taking her? If he did, she might try to run away, and he was too tired to put up with her tricks. "You have a good eye. We passed by here before."
    She nodded, apparently taking his answer for yes. He tried not to feel guilty. After all, he was keeping her safe—at least safe from Charley. He wasn't so certain he'd be able to keep his hands off her if she didn't stop moving.
    Her hair had come loose from the knot and curls circled her head like a fiery halo. The color and texture was