Love Me Again Read Online Free PDF Page B

Roughly, Kale grabbed Abby’s arms and held her down. Dirty hands tore at the front of her dress until the fabric gave way. Billy tried to press his lips to Abby’s, but she kept shaking her head. She kicked and squirmed trying to stop him from kissing her. 
    Abby screamed, the horror showing in her eyes, “Father, do something!” Abby wondered why her father never made a move. She turned and looked into his face as she struggled with her attackers. His eyes were closed. He was praying.
    Abby looked into the eyes of her attacker and felt pure fear. “You’re the most beautiful woman I ever seen. I can’t wait to have ya.”
    “Hurry up, Billy.  I want her too!”   
    “Ouch, you little wildcat!” Billy yelped out in pain as Abby jerked her hand away from Kale. She scratched his face leaving angry red welts. He raised his hand to slap her, but before he could, something stopped him. It was like a bad dream as Abby looked at his chest and saw a trickle of blood. His breathing intensified as he looked into Abby’s terrified eyes. 
    Strength leaving his body, he collapsed onto Abby. She shoved him to the floor. She turned to see Cord leaning against the door, wearing only his pants, with both pistols in his hands. So distraught, she did not even hear the shot.
    The boy’s father turned to shoot Cord, but never had a chance. Easily, he dropped him where he stood. Blood poured out of a hole in the center of his forehead. Kale backed up, and grabbed Abby by the neck.
    Cord’s voice was mild with honed steel beneath. “Turn her loose.”
    Kale started dragging her toward the door, but did not get far. Abby screamed when Cord shot Kale in the center of his forehead. Still holding her, he pulled her down with him when he fell to the floor. Every second crawled by as she shoved and pushed until she freed herself of his dead body. Covered in blood, Abby began to scream hysterically. 
    “Shhh, Abby.  I’ve got you.” Too weak to help Abby to her feet, Cord dropped down to his knees and took her into his arms. She stopped screaming the moment Cord wrapped his arms around her. Her pitiful whimpers filled the room.
    “It’s over, Abby. They are all dead.” He held her until her heartbeat returned to normal. He pushed her at arms length. The front of her dress was torn revealing her chemise. Gently, he tucked the torn dress into the strap of her chemise. “Go check on Nick. See if he is okay.”
    Immediately, Abby struggled off the floor and wiped away her tears. Nick needed her so she pushed her anguish aside. The front of her dress was covered in warm blood. The sickly smell caused her stomach to roil.
    Previous fear forgotten, she looked toward her father. She felt like slapping him because he was still praying. The man did not do one thing to help her when she needed him. Even through all the mayhem of bullets flying in all directions, he never stopped praying. 
    Maybe she was being too harsh on her father. It was possible her father’s prayers had sent Cord to save them. She dropped down beside Nick and touched his face. Relief washed over her when she heard him moan.
    His eyes flickered open. “What happened?”
    “It’s okay, Nick. We are safe.”
    Blood oozed from the gash on his head. Removing her apron, Abby put pressure on the cut hoping to slow the bleeding. She could barely hear Nick’s weak whisper as his fingers lightly touched her cheek. “Did they hurt you, Abby?”
    “No, Nick.  Cord killed all three.”
    Nick tried to smile but was only able to grimace in pain. “I hate I missed it.”

Chapter Three
     
     
    Tired of waiting in bed, Cord struggled to the edge. He had no idea of the time, but the sun shone brightly through the open window. Abby had not appeared and he was getting worried. She should have brought him his breakfast hours ago. He knew someone was up because he heard furniture being moved around in the front room. Still weak from the exertions of last night, Cord eased off