The Outrider (Redbourne Series #5 - Will's Story) Read Online Free PDF Page B

wanted to do first. Needed to do first.
    “And on top of the bankroll, we’ll be escorting
three beautiful women across God’s lovely countryside,” Sven continued. “Not
like these two,” he said, pointing to the wealthy man and his attendant
standing just outside of the bank.
    Will narrowed his eyes at his friend. “How in the
world you think you are going to find a wife escorting mail-order brides to
their intended grooms is beyond me. They’re spoken for,” he said with a shake
of his head. “That is the whole idea.”
    “I know,” Sven said as he climbed the stairs and
walked into the mercantile. “But a lady can change her mind, right?”
    Will shook his head at the absurdity of his
friend’s scheme. “I think he’s gone mad, don’t you think, boy?” he whispered in
Indy’s ear.
    Independence, Will’s black gelding that sported a
white star on his forehead, dipped his head into the waiting trough for a long
drink and Will patted his side before following the broad shouldered man into
the store.
    He’d never intended to be an outrider for the
stagecoach company, but when the opportunity had presented itself, he hadn’t
been able to pass up the chance to see the vast open spaces of the west for
himself. Going abroad had whetted his appetite for exploring and he found
himself growing restless sticking around the ranch day after day. Besides, the
money was good. He came from a wealthy family himself, but he’d been taught
early on that a man needed to make his own way in life. He couldn’t expect that
everything would be handed to him without effort.
    Ranch life was as much in his blood as any
Redbourne’s, and he enjoyed the work—it gave him perspective—but something was
missing in that life for him. Fortunately, studying abroad had given him a
chance to see what else life could offer him and he’d finally begun to figure
out exactly what it was that drew him away and where his purpose lay.
    “When are you leaving?” Sven asked as he bit into
one of the apples he’d just purchased from the clerk, tossing Will the other
delicious, red fruit.
    “A couple of weeks.”
    “That’s plenty of time. If you cut out the train
and just accompany the stage, this next run will only take a day or two. Tops.”
    Will smiled and bit into his apple as the
Norwegian tried to convince him. He and Sven had put their differences behind
them. Their bout in the barn last month had been foolish and he knew it. Sven
had not intended to show any disrespect for Hannah, but in Will’s way of
thinking, ignorance was no excuse. At least now, the man would be more aware of
his surroundings and had gained a better understanding of how protective Will was
of his little sister or any of the women in his life. The men had gotten along
just fine since that day.
    “I’ll think about it,” Will offered. He knew that
if he gave the man a little hope, it would earn him a few moments of peace,
then Will could let him down a little later. He needed to keep his eye on his
future. And being an outrider was not it.
    “I knew you’d come around,” Sven said with a
satisfied smirk.
    “Come on.” Will walked past him and out the door.
    It was time to go home.
     

     
    Kansas
     
    Sunday services, followed by supper at Redbourne
Ranch, had Elizabeth on edge. She still hadn’t come clean about who she was,
and coming face to face with Will Redbourne would bring everything out into the
open, showing her off in a less than perfect light. She wished she’d just told Mr.
Redbourne and his wife everything last night. While she’d never actually met
Will, his history with her family was not pleasant. She’d seen him fight on
many occasions from her father’s box at the ring, but things had gotten ugly
when he’d stood up to her father. Everyone did what Sterling Archer wanted or
they paid a hefty price.
    Well, not everyone.
    Sadness descended upon her like a candied apple
melting in the sun. She’d lost her home and most