Relentless (20 page)

Frank shook hands with Grant, and they shared a look of true understanding. Grant could see that Frank had a new scar from a recent head wound.

“I’m glad you came to find me,” Frank said. “I’ve got a lot to tell you.”

“I’ve got a lot to tell you, too,” Grant countered. Looking back to Dusty, he called out, “Dusty, I just found out Frank’s alive and well.”

“I had that feeling,” Dusty said happily as she dismounted to stand beside him.

“You’re a girl—” Frank said in surprise.

“I get that reaction a lot,” she laughed.

“Frank, this is Dusty, my wife.”

Frank was shocked by the news, and his smile broadened. “Congratulations—I’ve got someone I want you to meet, too.” He looked over at Sarah and Andy, and they came to join him. “Sarah, Andy, this is Grant Spencer and his wife, Dusty. Grant, this is my wife, Sarah, and my brother-in-law, Andy.”

Grant was equally surprised by Frank’s news. “I think we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

“I know we do,” Frank agreed.

“We were just going to eat breakfast,” Andy said, looking from Grant to Dusty. “You want to come with us?”

“That sounds great,” Grant replied.

He and Dusty tied up their horses, and they all moved off down the street.

“So what happened to you?” Grant asked.

Frank slanted him a sidelong grin as he began. “It’s a long story. The good news is I can remember it all now.”

Six Months Later

Canyon Springs

Music filled the church as Fred escorted Francie down the aisle.

Everyone was watching as she passed by. She was the epitome of the beautiful bride in her white gown and veil.

Fred stopped before the altar and handed his daughter over to his future son-in-law before going to sit with his wife.

Rick took her hand and smiled down at her. Francie was a bit teary-eyed as she watched her father walk away to join her mother in a pew, but then she turned back to Rick and her spirits soared.

This was the day she’d waited for all her life.

She was finally going to be married to Rick!

Excitement filled her as the minister began the wedding ceremony.

Dusty was sitting with Grant and Miss Gertrude in a pew near the front. She was thrilled for Francie, and hoped her marriage to Rick would turn out to be as wonderful as her own marriage to Grant. She had truly found her partner in him.

When Grant realized she was watching him, he
gave her a questioning look, but she just smiled at him. She glanced down at the new wedding ring she was wearing before turning back to watch Francie and Rick take their vows.

When the ceremony had ended and Francie and Rick had moved back down the aisle to leave the church, Miss Gertrude stood with Dusty and Grant to follow them out.

“It’s such a shame you two didn’t get to have a big wedding like this,” she told them.

Grant slipped an arm around Dusty and drew her close. “You’re right, Miss Gertrude, but the important thing is that I didn’t let her get away from me.”

Dusty was laughing. Her married life with Grant was a dream come true for her.

The old lady went to Grant and pulled him down to kiss him on the cheek.

“You are a fine man, Sheriff Spencer.” Miss Gertrude had been delighted when the town got rid of the old sheriff and Grant decided to leave the Rangers and run for the job. He’d been elected easily and was doing a wonderful job of keeping Canyon Springs safe.

“Thank you, Miss Gertrude.” He’d come to care deeply for the elderly woman. He’d liked her since the first time he’d met her at the town dance, and he’d learned now what a wonderful influence she’d been on Dusty.

As they started filing from the church, Miss Gertrude moved on ahead of them. Grant caught Dusty by the arm and held her back for a moment alone.

“You’re not sorry we got married so quickly, are you?” he asked.

Dusty looked up at the man she loved and drew him down to her to give him a tender kiss. “All that matters is that we’re together. We’re partners, remember?” she teased.

“You’re right.” Grant smiled at her, knowing “the kid” was the best partner he’d ever had.

“I love you, Grant.”

“I love you, too, Dusty.”

RUNAWAY

“In Smith’s exciting Western, two wrongs do make a right. Continuous action, authentic dialogue and gripping tension ensnare the reader.”

WANTED: THE HALF-BREED

“Smith fulfills her title of ‘Queen of the Western Romance’ in this fast-paced, suspenseful offering.”

LAWLESS, TEXAS

“Readers will be entertained and find themselves cheering for the good guys in the final shootout.”

HIRED GUN

“Nobody does a Western better than Smith.”

DEFIANT

“The talented Smith is in her element out West. This novel is fast-paced and filled with adventure and tender feelings…a very beautiful story.”

HALFBREED WARRIOR

“Smith is the consummate storyteller. The pacing is quick, with snappy dialogue moving the story forward at breakneck speed.”

BRAZEN

“As sexy and gritty as [Smith] has ever written.”

HALF-MOON RANCH: HUNTER’S MOON

“Bobbi Smith is a terrific storyteller whose wonderful characters, good dialogue and compelling plot will keep you up all night.”

FOREVER AUTUMN

“
Forever Autumn
is a fast-paced, delightful story.”

LONE WARRIOR

“Fast paced, swift moving and filled with strong, wellcrafted characters.”

THE HALF-BREED

“Witty, tender, strong characters and plenty of action, as well as superb storytelling, make this a keeper.”

BRIDES OF DURANGO: JENNY

“Bobbi Smith has another winner. This third installment is warm and tender as only Ms. Smith can do…Fans will not be disappointed.”

BRIDES OF DURANGO: TESSA

“Another wonderful read by consummate storyteller Bobbi Smith…Filled with adventure and romance, more than one couple winds up happily-ever-after in this gem.”

BRIDES OF DURANGO: ELISE

“There’s plenty of action, danger and heated romance as the pages fly by. This is exactly what fans expect from Bobbi Smith.”

HALF-BREED’S LADY

“A fast-paced, frying-pan-into-the-fire adventure that runs the gamut of emotions, from laughter to tears. A must-read for Ms. Smith’s fans, and a definite keeper.”

OUTLAW’S LADY

“Bobbi Smith is an author of many talents; one of them being able to weave more than one story…Ms. Smith creates characters that one will remember for some time to come.”

THE LADY & THE TEXAN

“An action-packed read with roller-coaster adventures that keep you turning the pages.
The Lady & the Texan
is just plain enjoyable.”

RENEGADE’S LADY

“A wonderfully delicious ‘Perils of Pauline’ style romance. With dashes of humor, passion, adventure and romance, Ms. Smith creates another winner…”

RUNAWAY

WANTED: THE TEXAN

RAPTURE’S TEMPEST

WANTED: THE HALF-BREED

LAWLESS, TEXAS

HIRED GUN

DEFIANT

HALFBREED WARRIOR

BRAZEN

BAYOU BRIDE

HUNTER’S MOON (HALF MOON RANCH)

FOREVER AUTUMN

LONE WARRIOR

EDEN

WANTON SPLENDOR

SWEET SILKEN BONDAGE

THE HALF-BREED (SECRET FIRES)

WESTON’S LADY

HALF-BREED’S LADY

OUTLAW’S LADY

FORBIDDEN FIRES

RAPTURE’S RAGE

THE LADY & THE TEXAN

RENEGADE’S LADY

THE LADY’S HAND

LADY DECEPTION

The Brides of Durango series:

ELISE

TESSA

JENNY

Writing as Julie Marshall:

MIRACLES

HAVEN

A LEISURE BOOK®

March 2010

Published by

Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016

Copyright © 2010 by Bobbi Smith

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E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0818-7

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