The Outlaws: Sam Read Online Free PDF

absented
herself that whole day.
    Before sleep finally claimed him, Sam relived
the kiss he and Lacey had shared tonight. He drifted off to
oblivion recalling how deliciously soft and sensuously lush her
body had felt against his.
     
    The following days were too busy for Sam to
have any thoughts save for those connected with his work. It was
branding time and the work was hot, dirty and exhausting. But Sam
discovered something about himself during those hectic few days. He
liked ranching. He could understand Lacey's determination to save
the ranch. What he couldn't excuse was her method of saving it. He
hadn't met anyone yet who liked Taylor Cramer, the man Lacey had
chosen to marry.
    The branding was finally over. The ranch
hands quit work early that day, grateful for a few hours free time
before supper. Sam was as eager as anyone to collapse on his bunk
and relax. Until he saw a horse tied to the hitching post outside
the big house and changed his mind. He knew intuitively that the
infamous Taylor Cramer had come calling. Exhaustion departed,
replaced by a sudden determination to meet the man Lacey had chosen
for a husband. He couldn't wait to disabuse Cramer of the notion
that he and Lacey would marry.
    Sam stopped briefly at the pump to wash up
before heading up to the house. He entered through the back door
without knocking, startling Rita.
    "Senor Sam, I did not hear you knock."
    "I didn't knock, Rita. Where's Lacey?"
    "But, Senor, you cannot come into the house
whenever you please. Even Senor Rusty knocks. Senora Lacey has set
strict rules for the hands."
    "I don't give a damn what Lacey wants, Rita.
Is she in the parlor with Cramer?"
    "Si, Senor. Wait here, I'll tell her you wish
to speak with her."
    "I'll announce myself."
    For some reason the thought of Lacey alone
with Cramer disturbed him. What in the hell was wrong with him?
    Sam strode down the hallway separating the
kitchen from the parlor and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw
Andy flying toward him. He snagged Andy around the waist, halting
his flight.
    "Whoa there, what's the hurry?"
    "He's here," Andy said, arms and legs
flailing.
    "Who's here?"
    "Mean old Cramer. I heard him tell Mama that
she should send me away to school. I hate him! Why does Mama want
to send me away? I've been a good boy." He hung his head, sniffed,
and mumbled, "Most of the time, anyway."
    Sam set Andy on his feet. "Why don't you go
see what Rusty's up to. I want to talk to your mother."
    Andy sent Sam a look so filled with hope that
Sam had to look away. "Will you try to change Mama's mind about
sending me away? I want to stay here."
    "I'll do my best, son."
    Andy grasped his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I like you Sam. Do you want to be my pa?"
    Sam had no answer to that. "Go on, Andy.
Leave your mother to me."
    Andy scooted off, his steps decidedly lighter
as he brushed a tear from his eye.
    Sam watched him leave, his hands clutched
into fists at his sides. What in the hell had happened to make
Lacey to make her an uncaring mother? He found it difficult to
believe that she'd send her own son away to save the ranch. Had she
no compassion, no heart?
    Sam heard voices coming from the parlor.
Firming his resolve, he barged into the room, startling the two
occupants.
    A man spun around to confront him. "What's
the meaning of this? Who are you?"
    Sam studied Taylor Cramer and disliked him on
sight. He was handsome enough, he supposed, but something about his
appearance rubbed Sam the wrong way. He was of medium height, blond
and slim. A thin mustache rode his upper lip and his face was not
displeasing, until one looked into his eyes. They were a cold,
almost colorless gray, exuding no warmth, no emotion. Andy had been
right in calling Cramer mean. Those dead eyes gave mute testimony
to the meanness inside him. Sam had met men like Cramer before, and
treated them with contempt.
    "Sam! What are you doing here?" Lacey
exclaimed, echoing Cramer's words. "I told you I'd take care