The Outlaws: Sam Read Online Free PDF Page B

of
this."
    Cramer regarded Lacey with cool disdain. His
voice was soft but his inflection held a note of authority.
"Perhaps you'd better explain, my dear."
    Sam waited to see what Lacey would say.
    "This is hard, Taylor," Lacey began. "I never
would have agreed to marry you had I known."
    Taylor darted Sam a look that would have
quelled a lesser man. "Go on, Lacey."
    Lacey made a nervous gesture. "I told you I
had been married before, and that my husband died in the war."
    "I knew that," Cramer said. "What does your
previous marriage have to do with this ranch hand barging into your
home?"
    Sam lost all semblance of patience. The
sooner Cramer knew the truth the sooner the bastard would leave
Lacey and Andy alone.
    "I assume you're Taylor Cramer," Sam said,
sending Cramer a look that spoke fluently of his contempt. "It's
time I introduced myself. I'm Sam Gentry, Lacey's husband. Forgive
me if I don't shake hands. I find meeting my wife's fiancé rather
awkward."
    Cramer's face turned a vivid red. "What!" He
rounded viciously on Lacey. "Tell me it isn't true, Lacey. Tell me
this bastard's lying."
    Sam felt almost sorry for Lacey, but hardened
his heart.
    "I...I didn't know Sam was alive," Lacey
explained. "He never once attempted to contact me in all the years
since his presumed death. I believed I was a widow. No one I
contacted told me otherwise. Everything I was told led me to
believe Sam had died in the war."
    Cramer's eyes narrowed. "Sam Gentry," he said
with bitter emphasis. "Why did you show up now? You've had years to
let Lacey know you're alive. I understand none of this."
    Lacey remained mute so Sam jumped into the
void. "You're not expected to understand. I'm Lacey's husband,
that's all you need to know. There will be no marriage. Not now,
not ever."
    "We'll see about that!" Cramer sputtered.
"You can't just show up now and claim your wife. I'll not have you
ruin my plans."
    "I seem to have done just that," Sam drawled.
It felt damn good to thwart Lacey and her intended.
    Cramer grasped Lacey's upper arms and spun
her around to face him. Sam emitted a low growl and prepared to
tear Cramer limb from limb. Then Cramer spoke and he forced himself
to delay long enough to hear Lacey's answer to Cramer's
question.
    "Do you still want to marry me, my dear?"
    Sam could see Lacey's throat working and his
patience fled.
    "Dammit, Lacey! Tell the man what he wants to
know."
    Lacey hated the way Sam was bullying her. How
dare he interfere in her life now. Had he wanted her, all he had to
do was return to her after the war and claim her and their son. She
owed him nothing. Not a blasted thing.
    She glared at Sam but directed her words to
Cramer. "Of course I still want to marry you, Taylor."
    Sam muttered a curse beneath his breath.
Lacey reeled beneath the heat of his anger and wished the words
back. She feared that this Sam, the Sam she barely knew, would
react violently.
    Cramer sent Sam a smug smile. "That's all I
needed to know, my dear. Leave everything to me. Sam Gentry
abandoned you. The law will take that into consideration. I foresee
a swift end to your unwanted marriage."
    Frustrated beyond endurance, Sam grit his
teeth. "There will be no divorce. I suggest you leave, Cramer.
Don't bother my wife and...son again."
    Lacey went still. She couldn't believe her
ears. Sam had just claimed Andy! What did it mean? Had he finally
noticed the resemblance between Andy and himself? Had he looked
beyond the blond hair and blue eyes and recognized his own
image?
    Cramer picked up his hat and shoved it down
on his head. "You haven't heard the last from me, Gentry. As for
you, Lacey. I'll get right to work on freeing you from this
bastard. I'll be back."
    The moment Cramer slammed out the door, Lacey
rounded on Sam, her eyes blazing fury. "Damn you, Sam Gentry!
You've ruined everything! Why didn't you stay dead?"
    "I never was dead," Sam hissed. "I can't
believe you want to marry that unfeeling bastard."
    "Unfeeling! You know