A Lethal Lady
Chapter 23

He was getting close to her, and if that happened, he wouldn't have time to get on the horse and sneak away. So, she didi give itt a second thought and opted to get on the animal as quickly as possible. But out of nowhere, her waist was grabbe with great force, Rouse’s body was pushed backwards.

Her eyes watched as she was pulled away from her means of escape...

You're not going anywhere,” they whispered in her ear.

Which completely outraged her, who the hell did this guy think he was to forbid her anything, she was sick of having to de with him and his stupid orders.

Knowing that it would hurt like hell and that she would probably regret it a few hours later, the blonde stepped on the man's foot with all her strength, then, with her elbow, she hit his face and with that, she managed to separate him. Limping and in pain, she ran to the horse and climbed up with considerable agility despite a severe wound in her side. St turned the animal around and urged it to run, starting to walk in the dark.

When they were some distance from the hotel, Rouse looked back and noticed him watching her in the middle of the street.

She hoped that this was the last time she would have to see him... She turned her eyes to the front and concentrated on disappearing...

some blood trickled down her nose, as she felt the liquid run down her lip, she wiped it away as she continued to watch the woman disappear into the darkness. If she thought she could escape so easily, how wrong she was! With that wound i her side, it would be impossible for her to get very far.

“What a fool you are, Rouse.

[.]

She spurred the horse to go faster, for if he was following her, she didn’t want to give him a chance to catch up with her. Rouse began to feel cold as she rode deeper into the desert, she hadn't thought things through when she decided to take horse and escape. Now she was paying the consequences of her actions, but it was better that than having to stay in that village and be at the mercy of someone she didn't want.

She was not sure where to go, it was night, and the little light the moon gave her did not help her to take the right path... when suddenly, in the distance, she saw the light of a lantern. She stopped the horse, who was breathing heavily.

it looked like a ranch, but who could live so far from town?

She would have to risk it, riding at night in the desert was no good. A snake could bite the horse and leave it stranded in the middle of nowhere... he encouraged the horse to head there, probably the owner of the ranch would give him lodging for at least one night.

Arriving at the ranch, he inspected it with his eyes. It was huge, it had to be a cattle ranch. She makes an attempt to dismount the horse, when she hears the familiar sound of a shotgun being loaded. That stopped her in her tracks.

“What are you looking for here? -Rouse looks to see where the voice is coming from. Have you come to steal my cattle? -S blinks several times.

-No, I'm not a thief.

Really? Get off your horse, now.

I'd better go.

-Get off the horse” they order her, and she has no choice but to obey.

As she touches the ground, the barrel of the gun is placed on her back. Rouse stands very still, but that doesn't mean she won't do anything about it.

“If you're not a thief, answer me something, why do you have the sheriff's horse?

She looks at the huge black animal, she must have assumed it was the man's horse. She would have chosen the brown or -1 didn't steal the horse if that's what you think.

Tom wouldn't give Belze to anyone, what did he do to ride this animal?

Let me explain what's going on.

That was the time to try and disarm whoever was after her, I didn't plan on dying there, let alone this guy accusing her to Tom.

-Did he send her to come with me? She frowns.

-What?

“What if he sent her all the way out here to help me with the ranch? He said he would, but I never imagined he could sen a young lady.

She wasn't understanding a word the man was saying, but she'd better follow his lead or he'd kill her.

Ves, that's why he lent me his horse.

Oh, yes!" At that, Rouse stopped feeling the cannon on his back. In that case, let us go into the house. I don't know what woman can do to defend my land, but if the sheriff sent her, there must be a reason.

Rouse turns around and is surprised at who was in front of her, but he was a rather old man. Too old to be carrying that t shotgun in his arms.

“What's your name, miss?

-Rouse.

“My name is Joy. Well, lets take Belze to the corral.

She nods, but wasn't sure whether to stay there that night or get the hell out. Not that luck was in her favour, but it was clear that she had been saved because she was a woman. If she had been a man, that old man wouldn't have hesitated a minute to shoot her.

“It's too late for Tom to send her alone, I'll talk to him about it.

No, don't tell him anything. He has sent me very early, but I could not come before. I am very sorry.

Its all right, let's go in, it's very cold out here.

The inside of the ranch was much better than outside. The blonde sat down and watched as the old man poured her a cu of coffee.

“Why do you live alone? It's a lot of land, no one to help you?

I have employees, but only during the day,” he handed her the coffee. Drink it, itll warm it right up.

“What do you want me to do? -He asks curiously.

“The sheriff says I need company in the evenings, someone to help me in case someone breaks in and robs me. And also. young person who can ride fast to town to warn him?” The old man looks at her carefully. Are you sure you want this job? Job?

Yes, I'm asking because of those wounds she has. Her feet, and her dress is bloody. I don't think she’s fit to work.

She looks at her dress, and indeed it is bleeding... she would have to treat it herself.

“That's not an impediment, I want the job.

- don’t think a woman is the right one for this, I....

-1 promise I'l help you, at least for a few days,” she insists.

-All right, I'll let Tom know when... -No, please.

No, please. Don't tell the sheriff I'm here. I'll help you on the ranch free of charge, you can just give me a horse, I don't care if it's not a fine one, just a horse I can ride. That's all.

The old man frowns and watches the blonde carefully. That wasn't very common, a woman wanting a job like the one he was demanding. Then he thought, she would have some trouble with the law, or rather, with Tom. That was why she had t horse, after all, if he had stolen it.

It was her duty to inform the sheriff of that event, but looking into the eyes of that young lady, Joy felt she shouldn't have to. She looked very needy, for heaven's sake! She was a lady. He couldn't just kick her off his ranch. Even if it would get he in trouble with Tom, Joy decided she would help the woman.

-All right, you can stay and help me around the house. In exchange, I won't tell the sheriff about your stay at my place. She couldn't say she was relieved, since she suspected the old man was suspicious of her. He would accept her like this without asking for an explanation, it was better if she left carefully and as soon as her wounds were healed, she would be on her way.

“Thank you very much, as soon as my injuries are better, I'll have to go, Mr. Joy.

Tell me Joy, and don't worry," the old man put his empty bowl on the table. At the end of the corridor, there is a bedroom it has its own bathroom. So you can settle in there.

-1 didn’t bring anything with me.

“I could see that,” he answers, still turning his back on her. Under the bed, there's a suitcase with clothes. I think some of that might come in handy. Now, if you don't mind, I'll go and take a look around my grounds, make sure everything is in order. At ease, Miss Rouse, tomorrow will be a long day.

She watches the old man leave the kitchen, thinking about something that really worries her. What if that old man was betraying her, what if he was telling her lies about not telling Tom about her. Besides, how was she going to explain that she had his horse at the ranch.

She couldn't risk it...

Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.