For a Roman's Heart (38 page)

“We should hear what the sheriff has to say,” Lord Geoffrey said.

Everyone’s attention focused on Basil. When Lady Lynett turned towards where he stood, his heart speeded up despite his intention to be disinterested. He cleared his throat.

“I’m investigating a series of robberies from the Tower.”

His bass voice reverberated against the stone walls, making him self-conscious. This was the aspect of his occupation he liked the least. A man of action, words were a second choice.

“It’s possible this abduction had nothing to do with yesterday. Perhaps the thieves saw your daughter as an easy prey for kidnapping and a ransom.”

Geoff pushed himself abruptly away from the wall, seeming to startle Lynett. He ran his fingers through his hair as if agitated.

“But she heard someone speak of chaos in the kingdom. We can’t take lightly anything that touches on the king.”

Before Basil could assure Geoff that action would be taken, her father spoke up.

“You haven’t known us long, Baron. Our daughter hears voices that no others hear. It started after illness caused her blindness.”

Basil watched Lynett’s face flush beet-red.

“Father, I’m blind, not deaf. My hearing is better than yours. Most times, what I hear can be explained.”

“But there are other times, Daughter. This may be one of them.”

Basil’s stomach gave a twist as if he was the one under attack. Lynett was being made to look foolish in front of her friends and him. He cleared his throat.

“I’ll look into both your daughter’s kidnapping and the conspiracy,” he assured them.

Geoff leaned back against the wall as if satisfied.

Lady Durwyn started pacing, something a noble woman never did in company. The train of her purple woolen kirtle dragged against the flagstones. It demonstrated the intensity of her distress as she spoke.

“I don’t want to be embroiled in lengthy investigations.”

“I’ll do my best to shield you during my inquiries.”

The husband calmed his wife, his voice soothing.

“See, my dear, the sheriff will handle everything. We don’t have to be involved.”

Not involved? Your own daughter’s life is at stake.

Sometimes a journey of the heart is the most dangerous journey of all.

A Desperate Journey

© 2008 Debra Parmley

Sally Wheeler learned the hard way that men aren’t always what they seem. Now she will stop at nothing to track down the bigamist husband who stole her child and abandoned her on their failing Kansas farm. Even if it means traveling with a handsome maverick who could change her mind about men.

Free after spending seven years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Rob Truman aims to balance the scales of justice on the man who sent him there—Luke Wheeler. His quest doesn’t include falling for the one woman who will lead him to his quarry, but Sally’s courage in the face of her fear touches his soul.

Through dangerous days and nights on the trail, neither Sally nor Rob can ignore their growing feelings for each other. Yet both are haunted by the poor judgment that, in the past, led them down the wrong road. Love—and trust—are luxuries neither of them can afford.

But as the bullets start flying, love may be all that saves them—and Sally’s son.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
A Desperate Journey:

“Well, damn my eyes if it ain’t an angel come to save me,” the man roared as he stood with a lurch.

Sally jumped and took a step back.

“Ain’t you the purtiest thing,” he said with a leer.

She smiled nervously, not wanting to anger him.

Rob chose that moment to enter the store. “Morning. It’s about time you were awake. Name’s Rob.”

“Fletcher, but you can call me Fletch.”

“We need to buy passage across the river.”

The ferryman’s gaze drifted back toward Sally. “Cain’t take you across.” He shook his head. “Not for another two weeks.”

“Why the hell not?”

“Water’s running too high.” Fletch stepped behind Sally. “That bacon sure does smell good.” He peered over her shoulder. “You smell mighty good too.”

“That’s it.” Rob’s voice hardened.

Sally heard the cock of a gun and turned.

Rob stood with his gun pressed to Fletcher’s head.

“I think you’ll be taking us across. You’ll be taking us across today.” He jerked his head. “Sally, get your things.”

“Ye heard the man,” Moss argued. “That water is too fast, too high.”

“We’re going now.” His tone brooked no argument.

“Ain’t we goin’ ter eat first?” Moss persisted.

“Lost my appetite.” Rob’s jaw clenched and he nudged Fletch with his gun. “Now move.”

Sally watched Rob force the ferryman out the door and her hands shook as she gathered their things. “Carolyn, you stay away from those men and do as I tell you.”

“Yes, Mama.”

Even her bubbly daughter was subdued by the force Rob had brought into the store. And just when she’d begun to relax around him.

But he was no better than Luke. He was just another man who would use force to get what he wanted. And men like that were dangerous.

Sally reached for Carolyn’s hand while they silently watched the men load the ferry. Rob stood atop the bank with his hand on his gun as Moss began to coax the mules up the dock and onto the ferry.

“You better pay me double like you said,” Fletcher shouted to Rob.

The coolness and steel in Rob’s reply made Sally shiver. “You’ll get your money when we’re on the other side.”

“Stupid cowboys,” Fletch muttered with a frown. “Water’s too high.”

Rob’s expression did not change, yet Sally knew he’d heard the man.

“Get them mules on up in front, just them two,” Fletcher directed Moss, as he squinted against the sun. “Get ’em up on that hitching post.”

Moss hitched the first two with a grumble.

“Now them other two in the middle.” Fletcher frowned. “And keep them calm. I don’t want no animals giving me trouble.”

“Don’t ye worry none about my mules.” Moss hitched the other two. “I know my business good as you know yourn.”

Rob led his horse up the ramp next. As Moss took the reigns from him he said, “I hope like hell you know what you’re doing.”

Rob merely grunted.

Finally Fletcher called to Sally, “Come on, little lady, you get on over here by me.” He held out his hand to her.

Though Rob’s eyes narrowed, he said nothing, just continued to stand with his hand on his gun as he watched them.

Sally lifted Carolyn up to Moss and reached for Fletcher’s hand. Though he was behaving like a gentleman now, his bloodshot eyes took her in. “That’s it,” he said as he helped her onto the ferry, his sour-whiskey breath making her wish she could hold her nose. His hand was raspy, rough and strong.

She waited till he turned away to push off from the bank to wipe her hand on her dress.

The ferryman grabbed a pole and gave a shove off the bank.

Moss squinted at him when he turned back around. “I ’spose ye expect me to hep ye.”

“One of you has to. I let my men off for two weeks till this river is ready to cross, and they’ll be at the nearest saloon till I send for them.”

They both glanced at Rob who stood by his horse, his right hand never far from his gun. He’d just displayed how fast he was with it.

“It’s gonna be hell to get this ferry back across the river by myself.” Fletcher grabbed the rope and began walking hand over hand down the length of the ferry.

Though the ride was smooth at first, Sally eyed the rushing waters into the middle of the river and wondered what would happen when they reached it. From the glances of the men, they were wondering the same thing. This did not reassure her.

Carolyn stood with Sally in the middle where it was most stable. She bounced up and down with excitement.

Sally gripped Carolyn’s shoulders. “Stand still.”

“Ma’am, you got to control your child,” Fletcher said as he continued working the ropes.

Sally looked down at the cold, dark, swiftly flowing water, remembering with a shiver of panic that neither she nor Carolyn could swim.

“Carolyn, sit down.”

Her daughter obeyed and Sally looked for something to hold onto. The ferry didn’t feel so sturdy as it began to creak and shift with the water becoming steadily rougher. Sally’s knees shook as her thoughts ran with the dark and dangerous river. The creaking grew louder as the mules shuffled and shifted their hooves.

The whites of their eyes rolled in fear when the boards of the ferry began to moan and groan. They didn’t like this raft any more than she did. She briefly touched the brooch at her neck and reached out to balance herself against a mule.

“I told you this river was too fast,” Fletch growled at Rob as the creaking and groaning grew louder and the river shook the ferry.

They were three quarters of the way across and the ropes were straining as Fletcher and Moss strained to pull them across.

Crack!

The rear guide post holding the guide ropes snapped in two.