The Cowgirl Gets The Bad Guy (Cowgirl Mysteries Book 1)

by Susan Lower

  “Miss Davenport,” the bounty hunter comes to stand beside me.

  “Mr. Townes,” Daphne says, “I was telling your wife how happy I am for the two of you.”

  The bounty hunter lifts a brow in my direction. He’s not much for words. It’s not the first time someone has congratulated us since news of our union hit the town paper.

  The Deadwood News dedicated most of the paper this week to the story of the capture of my father’s killer and my marriage.

  When I think things are going to get awkward, Mr. Davenport approaches motioning for Daphne to come his way. “I believe dinner will be served shortly.”

  “Isn’t it so nice of Mr. Warner to host tonight’s gathering?” she asks.

  “Would you like to come with me to thank him?”

  I know on good authority Jed Warner, the hotel owner, has his eyes set on Daphne.

  “I don’t believe I see him. I should stay here with Daddy and the others. After all, I’m not married like you are, it wouldn’t be proper for me to go out alone.” Her painted pink lips curl in a devious smile.

  I spot the gambler. He’s been keeping his distance by the fireplace.

  Along with him is a man with black hair. They’re deep in conversation. Whatever the gambler has said, the black-haired guy doesn’t like it. He shakes his head and the gambler’s face hardens.

  “Jo?” The bounty hunter stands beside me. For a moment I stare at him. He’s wearing a dark navy shirt and his hair hangs below his shoulders.

  He hung his long leather jacket on the wall when we first came in. Sherman assured him with his life no one would mess with it. The bounty hunter wears his six-shooter against this thigh. He has a habit of keeping on hand rested on the handle. His free hand touches the small of my back. It’s a pure jolt of warmth going up my spine.

  “Who’s that man?” I ask.

  “Which one?”

  “Either of them.”

  The bounty hunter leans close to me. I soak up his warmth in the chilled room. I noticed all the wooden tables and chairs had been recently polished. Even chandeliers had a sparkle.

  Warner had gone out of his way to impress. I chalk it up to the railroad guru’s coming into town.

  I wore my green dress again tonight, the one the bounty hunter bought for me. This time, Ruby helped me with the corset. She doesn’t pull as hard as the bounty hunter. Besides, the last time he pulled on my ties; it was downright illegal.

  Judge Stevens married us with the bang of his gavel. No vows or pretty words. No kiss to seal the deal. Just BAM! I become Mrs. Chord Townes.

  “He works for Conway.”

  “Who?”

  “Gilbert Harritt. Are you paying attention or too busy eyeballing Weston?” He says it as if he might be annoyed by the thought. The bounty hunter couldn’t possibly be jealous, could he? I tuck that thought away for later.

  “The one with the black hair?”

  “Lloyd Coose,” the bounty hunter’s breath is warm against my ear. To anyone observing us it might look as though we’re have an intimate moment.

  “There’s something about him,” I mutter more to myself than the bounty hunter.

  “He’s a scout. According to Conway, he’s the man who goes ahead of the crew laying track and finds the best route, reports back to Conway to secure the land.”

  “Too bad he couldn’t secure mine,” I half say amused and annoyed at the same time.

  The bounty hunter takes a deep breath. Not an expressive man, usually. Hardly ever does this man smile. It makes me sad thinking of what could have turned a man like him into a stone-cold killer. Most all of his bounties are brought in draped over the back of his horse. I can’t even feel sorry for those souls, they broke the law, and the bounty hunter tracks them down to bring them to justice. It just so happens they’re wanted dead or alive.

  There’s a tick in his jaw.

  “He get under your skin, too?” I ask, leaning into him as Jed Warner steps out into the dining room and announces dinner is a simorghs board against the wall for us tonight.

  I know for a fact, too, Jed Warner’s pockets aren’t deep. Either he’s not doing this out of the goodness of his heart, or someone else is footing the bill. My bet is on the Mr. Davenport. He and Mr. Conway are after my half of the land to tunnel their railway through the mountain. My land happens to be the best route to lay the track leading into Deadwood.

  The entire town is located inside a gulch at the base of the mountain.

  “We’ll talk about it later.”

  “Now?” I pull my hand from his arm.

  “Oh, how cute. You two make the most adorable couple.”

  I suck in my breath and turn on my heel. My closest and dearest friend, Ella Mae grins from ear to ear. At her side, is her new husband, Lincoln. His boots are worn, and his eyes are weary. But never mind Lincoln, I’ embrace Ella Mae, happy to see she’s still in one piece. I whisper in her ear. “Does your father know your back in town?”

  The bounty hunter extends his hand to Lincoln. “I see you’re still alive.”

  Considering Ella Mae marched the man in front of the judge with my shotgun, Shorty, at his back, he looked well for a married man. The judge pronounced them man and wife the same day as the bounty hunter and me.

  “We’ve been staying here at the hotel for the past few days,” she lowers her voice, “My father doesn’t know we’re here.”

  “I’d like to keep it that way,” Lincoln adds.

  “Still afraid to stand before the preacher?” I tease, and Lincoln pales. I guess marrying the preacher’s daughter can make a man feel ill. Especially, when Ella Mae disappeared and hasn’t told her parents the good news yet.

  “Dimples,” The bounty hunter warns.

  “Lincoln hasn’t told his father, either,” Ella Mae crosses her arms and glances over at her husband.

  “It’s my mother I worry about,” Lincoln says, taking his cowboy hat off his head and twisting it in his hands. “She hasn’t been in good health. I don’t want to shock her with the news.”

  Ella Mae slaps him on the arm. “Your mother is as sturdy as an ox. You’re afraid your mother won’t like me, admit it?”

  “Maybe we should step outside and discuss this?” Lincoln lowers his chin, his eyes locking on Ella Mae. Her cheeks pinken and she licks her lips. I’d say they’ve been doing a whole lot of discussing in private lately.

  But how would I know? Since the bounty hunter and I got hitched two days ago, this is the first I’ve seen him.

  “Still in the honeymoon phase,” the gambler comes up from behind, clasping Lincoln on the shoulder. “Congratulations again on your wedding.”

  Ella Mae glows with the praise. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful bride.

  “You go yourself a handsome one,” Daphne’s eyes sparkle.

  Ella Mae takes hold of Lincoln again. “I’m the luckiest girl alive.”

  “Some of us are luckier than others,” the gambler says, “You just need to know how to gather the right cards in your hand.” And he looks straight at me.

  “How’s that working for you?” the bounty hunter asks.

  The gambler pulls back his shoulders. “You might think you’ve won this hand, but the cards haven’t all been dealt.”

  “Perhaps we should go and make plates for ourselves. All the hard work Mr. Warner put into hosting this meal and we’re letting it go cold,” Daphne suggests.

  I snuggle closer to the bounty hunter, feel him stiffen, and try to smile. Ella Mae and Lincoln move toward the food.

  I can feel the bounty hunter holding his breath. The muscles in his arm are taunt. I release him and watch as he excuses himself to join the other.

  I want to reach out and grab him for leaving me alone. Maybe it’s because he thinks I’m safe from the gambler making advances now that we’re married.

  It doesn’t settle things in my gut, as those alluring green eyes still have a way of sending ripples through my tummy.
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  The gambler tugs on his lapels, those dimples of his form as he grins. “Trouble in paradise already, darlin?”

  “I don’t believe that’s any of your business.”

  “We’re partners, darlin. Remember, I own half of that claim. Whether you like it or not, you’re my business.”

  “My marriage is not.”

  The bounty hunter holds a plate waiting for me to join him. He lifts a brow.

  “If it’s not working out, we can always go back to the judge, explain this misunderstanding and we can clear up all this nonsense. You and I will be married, I’ll even overlook your little indiscretion with Townes.”

  “There’s no misunderstanding.”

  The gambler sets those emerald eyes on me, cutting in deep. “Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance.”

  “I’m a married woman, there’s nothing you can do to change that.” I walk over and join the bounty hunter. He holds the plates as I pile on the feast. There are slices of ham and thick mash potatoes. I pour on the gravy as the gambler ambles up beside me. I try to pay him no mind. On the other side of him in line, is Loyd Coose, talking with Daphne. I guess she wasn’t quick enough to fall in line beside Weston.

  There a clicking of silverware from the tables. Ruby and half the town have come out for tonight’s gathering. I’m surprised Ella Mae’s parents haven’t shown up. Lincoln and Ella Mae coming cozying up beside us. “You all want to go first? You did get married before us,” Ella Mae says.

  “You go on,” I say, “We’ll follow you.”

  Then I notice the bounty hunter’s eyes, the usual stone-cold grey is blocked out by expanding pupils and a hooded look that sends alarms going off in my head.

  Ella Mae rises on her tip toes as Lincoln turns his head and plants one on her lips. My eyes widen. Oh. Oh my. I glance up at the bounty hunter. He’s as still as a statue.

  I don’t touch him; I turn my back to the others and look him in the eyes. As much as it pains me, I say softly,” It’s alright. I don’t expect you to.”

  “Go on, kiss the man,” Ella Mae declares once her lips are free again. Everyone in the room is staring at my back. I left my hair down, this evening, not bothering with it in the rain. I hung my hat beside the bounty hunters, not wanting to draw much more attention to myself than I do wearing my cowboy boots.

  I turn to Ella Mae, “We like to keep it private.”

  “Private?” Lincoln says, “Your married.”

  “In name only,” I try to keep my voice down. Everyone is waiting, I can hear my own heart beating.

  “What do you mean it’s in name only?” Except Ella Mae says it so loud, the gambler hears. His eyes light up. “Is that so?”

  And before I can say another word, the bounty hunter shoves me ahead. I move away to the table where Ella Mae and Lincoln follow. They sit across from us, but as I try to take my seat, the bounty hunter grabs me by the arm. He whirls me around and his lips come crashing down upon mine.

  I think my heart is going to explode in my chest when the sound of a slap echoes through the room. Immediately, the bounty hunter releases me, and I fall against the table. Ruby grabs my elbow and helps right me.

  Over by the smorgasbord, Daphne screams at Lloyd Coose. “How dare you!”

  Mr. Davenport rushes to her aside, and even Sheriff Bentely is here for the theatrics. The bounty hunter takes less strides to reach her, and Lloyd Coose shrugs. “You asked for it.”

  Daphne’s eyes grow wide. “Arrest this man!” she says to the sheriff.

  “For what? Kissing isn’t a crime,” Llyod says. “You’re a tease.”

  “You’ll step away from Miss Davenport,” Mr. Conway steps around him, keeping Daphne shielded. The bounty hunter has his hand on his gun, and the sheriff right beside him.

  “She’s been flirting with me ever since I got here.”

  “I did no such thing,” she draws back her shoulders. “Daddy said to be kind to you, can’t a girl be friendly?”

  “I believe you overstepped your bounds Mr. Coose. You can return back to the crew tonight,” Mr. Conway stated.

  “In this weather?” Coose laughed. “I think I’ll be staying right here in the room I’ve got.”

  “Then by morning,” Mr. Conway held out his hand. “I’ll see you out.”

  Conway tossed down his plate, flood splattering to the floor. He leaned in, hissing to Conway. “You think you’re such a big man, but I know the truth. You want me to leave, fine, I’ll go. You can find another man to do you dirty work. I’m done.”

  He marches out of the room, Conway following him. Sheriff Bentely relaxed and turned to everyone. “It’s over folks, let’s get back to our meal.”

  As the bounty hunter approached me, he asked, “You okay?”

  I swallowed what words I might have said, nodding.

  He pulled out my chair and I sat. Around us, whispers and talk resumed. Daphne sat with her father and the gambler between her and me. Across from her sat Warner and Lincoln and Ella Mae.

  “So, in name only?” The gambler says picking up his glass of brandy. “Don’t you worry darlin, when I kiss you, it won’t be for show.”

  I glance over at the bounty hunter; he’s scowling and forking up a heap of mashed potatoes.

  Something tells me it’s going to be a long evening and it’s far from over.

  CLICK HERE to get your copy so that you can keep reading this series today!

  More from Susan Lower

  Cowgirl Mysteries

  Ever since Jo Dean came down off her mountain, she’s been stuck in Deadwood trying to protect her claim and her heart. With both the bounty hunter and the gambler vying for both, how is a cowgirl to choose?

  The Cowgirl Takes the Bounty (book 2)

  Silver Wind Equine Rescue Series

  Love horses, cowboys, and second chances? The Silver Wind Horse Rescue series has both! While the members of the Silver Wind Horse Rescue set out to provide refuge for abused and abandoned horses, those very horses may be the salvation they need to find a second chance at love.

  Forgotten Reins

  Unbridled

  Silver Stirrups

  Hearts of Hidden Hills

  Sweet and wholesome small town love stories filled with second chances and healing families provide a wonderful, feel-good read.

  Residence of Her Heart

  Salvaged Hearts

  Reckless Hearts

  Brides of Annie’s Creek

  Travel back to the old west where these women take love into their own hands and learn somethings can’t be rushed.

  Fruit Cake Bride

  Thimble Bride

  Postage Stamp Bride

  About the Author

  Growing up on a farm in Pennsylvania, Susan Lower yearned for adventure. A woodsy gal, Susan prefers camping over going to the beach any day. Still a farm girl at heart, Susan writes fast action reads filled with cowboys, heroes, and hope. She writes both western historical and contemporary romances, romantic suspense, and has been itching to one day write a mystery or thriller. Christmas is her favorite holiday, and she loves to write resilient characters struggling to overcome the complications of life while holding their values and strengthening their faith.

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