RenegadeHeart Read Online Free PDF

the
biggest spread in this part of the territory.”
    “And he wants this place, too.”
    “Yes. How did you know?”
    “It’s an old story,” Tyree said shrugging. “You must have a
pretty good piece of land if Walsh wants it.”
    “Yes. Do you know Walsh?”
    “I know the type.”
    “Then you know what we’re up against.”
    “I know you’re a fool.”
    “I beg your pardon.”
    “You heard me. You’re out of your mind if you’re bucking the
Apaches on one hand and a land-grabber like Walsh on the other.”
    “That may be!” Rachel replied curtly. “But our roots are
here, on the Lazy H. My mother and my little brother are buried here. We’re not
leaving.”
    “Suit yourself. It’s no skin off my ass.”
    “No, it isn’t!” Rachel snapped crossly, and stalked out of
the room, slamming the door soundly behind her.
     
    John Halloran smiled fondly at Rachel as she moved about the
spacious kitchen preparing their dinner. She was a lovely young woman, every
inch a lady despite the rugged life she led. He was proud of her quiet beauty,
proud of the way she carried her share of the work load without complaint,
proud of her inner strength and character.
    We did ourselves proud, Ellen , he mused to himself. Proud
indeed!
    “He’s wanted by the law, you know that, don’t you?” Rachel
said irritably. She was still angry with the man who called himself Smith. His
language and his arrogance were beyond belief. “We’ve no business keeping him
here any longer.”
    “Another day or two won’t hurt,” Halloran countered mildly.
But Rachel was right. The man was obviously on the run. He had that hunted air
about him, that wary alertness common to all hunted creatures, be they man or
beast.
    “I don’t like him,” Rachel muttered, spreading a red and
white checked cloth over the table.
    “He’ll be moving on soon,” Halloran said. Rising, he poured
himself a cup of coffee from the big black pot that was always simmering on the
back burner of the stove. “I wish I could—”
    “Could what?” Rachel asked suspiciously.
    “Nothing, nothing,” Halloran answered quickly. But the
thought lingered in his mind. The man calling himself Smith might be a wanted
man, a dangerous man, but he could definitely be an asset to the Lazy H. He had
gunman written all over him, and a good, fast gun was something the Lazy H
desperately needed.
    John Halloran’s thoughts were temporarily interrupted as
Rachel put dinner on the table. She was a good cook, he mused, but then Rachel
had always excelled at anything she put her mind to.
    They made small talk about the ranch during dinner. It was
Rachel’s habit not to discuss anything unpleasant during meals and Halloran
obliged her. Thus, the time they spent dining together was always a time to
relax and enjoy one another’s company because, besides being father and
daughter, they were good friends.
    Rachel smiled at her father as he filled his plate a second
time. It amazed her that he never gained any weight, for he ate enough for two
hearty men. He was a rare and warm human being, she thought fondly. Despite the
harsh land and their never-ending troubles with Job Walsh, her father remained
a gentle man with a kind heart and a good soul.
    Laying her fork aside, Rachel prepared a plate for Smith.
She dreaded the thought of seeing him again. It made her uncomfortable, just
being in the same room with him. He was, she decided, the most aggravating man
she had ever met.
    She felt his eyes on her face the minute she entered the
room. The force of his gaze made her uneasy and two bright spots of color
appeared in her cheeks.
    “Smells good,” he drawled.
    Wordlessly, Rachel placed the tray on the bedside table. Her
whole attitude screamed that she did not appreciate his presence in her house.
    “Sorry I didn’t die,” Tyree muttered irritably. “It would
have saved you a lot of extra work.”
    “Yes, it would have,” Rachel agreed. “I’ll be back later for
the