The Badger City Gang [Bride Train 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read Online Free PDF Page A

here train ’cuz I git what I want.” He gave her a look to prove how much he wanted her. “There’s wimmenfolks near and talk of a school some day. Town’s got a shop that sells hats and fripperies. Don’t know what else ya needs to know. We don’t hold with beatin’ women, young’uns, or dumb animals.”
    He saw a slight release in the tension around her shoulders. The tight feeling in his chest eased as well. She’d said yes, even if she didn’t know it yet.
    “Are your partners men of good character?”
    “Yep. We’ll treat ya real good, jist like a lady.” She raised an eyebrow so he continued. “They’se handy at yer back in a fight. Ride a horse good. Heered they kin read some.” He pulled his mouth sideways and sniffed loudly to show he had more manners than wiping his nose with his sleeve. “We works hard.”
    The women looked from him, to Kate, and back. She lifted her chin and set her shoulders back.
    “I refuse to marry a man I do not know, or love.”
    Love wasn’t in his plans. Nohow, no way. But he’d not tell her that before the vows were said.
    “Don’t hafta hurry the weddin’ none.” He shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “We wants a willin’ wife, one that ain’t likely to slide a knife between a man’s ribs in the night. Figger we kin wait a bit until ye know us good. We won’t harm ye none, ’specially if yer a good cook. Cousin Rusty’s partial to biscuits and gravy. Gideon likes pie.”
    Kate gripped the wooden seat with one hand. For balance, or to keep her legs from collapsing under her? The pulse in her neck raced. He wanted to nibble that spot, mark her as his, and then kiss it better.
    “And what do you like?”
    Zach gave her a slow, sensual smile. “I likes jist about anything a woman kin do fer a man to keep his belly full and bed warm. Think you kin keep me smilin’, Kate?”
    The women gasped. Kate’s nostrils flared, and she pinched her lips together, perhaps to keep back words she might regret. He felt the change in vibration as the train began the long process of stopping. He had to keep the women quiet while water and coal was loaded. While they built up speed again, he’d haul Kate off the train and onto Rusty’s horse. By the time anyone noticed the women raising a ruckus, the train would be puffing halfway up the next hill. It needed a good head of steam to do that, so there’d be no stopping. He intended to be far away by the time the train could slow.
    “Katherine said she wanted an adventure, that she didn’t want to follow rules!” The dirty blonde looked around the carriage. “Remember, when Luella said she wanted a quiet city man who’d take care of her? Katherine said she’d rather find a strong man who knew how to work.” She pointed at Zach. “He looks strong. Go with him so he’ll leave the rest of us alone!”
    The others threw more accusations at Kate. He liked that she did those things. She sounded more and more like she’d fit in.
    “Let me make this clear,” said Kate. She drew herself up as tall as she could, which was about level with his armpit. “I do not choose to be the sacrificial lamb for these ninnies just because you want a wife.” She stared him down like one of the old mossy longhorns who didn’t care that he was a man with a gun. “I repeat, I will not marry someone I do not know.”
    “In a couple weeks ye’ll know me well enough.” He gestured to the other women. “Bet some a the gals what useta be here, married men they jist met.” Looks and nods passed around, confirming his words. He scratched his chin. “Be a few weeks afore we find the preacher, anyhow.”
    “But—”
    “Yer on the Bride Train, woman! You want a husband, or not?”
    She dropped her eyes. A piece of fluff on her skirt suddenly caught her attention. He gave her a moment as the train’s brakes screeched.
    “I do wish to marry, but only if the man loves me and accepts me as I am.”
    He could understand why a feisty old