by Nancy Bush
Jesse woke the second time to a rolling movement. The ship was under sail. He wondered helplessly if, after everything else, he was being shanghaied. But who would want him? He was useless and would be for a long while.
A sudden memory of the other torture Montana’s men had planned made him struggle upward in fear. Hands pushed him back down, firmly but gently. “Don’t move too fast,” the now-familiar voice said.
“Who are you?” Jesse demanded more clearly.
“Ezekiel Thomas Drummond. My friends call me Zeke.”
“Tell me—Zeke— besides my face, what other parts have been damaged?” Jesse felt no pain other than in his hands, and that’s what scared him.
“You’re all in one piece,” Zeke assured him.
“Everywhere?”
“Gray did a nasty job on your face. That’s all.” He paused. “You were lucky,” he added roughly, something in his tone suggesting someone else had not been so fortunate.
Relief washed over Jesse. He moved slightly and realized belatedly that he did have feeling elsewhere. Only his face was numb. “I can’t see anything. I want to take this bandage off.”
“There’s nothing to see. We’re on our way to San Francisco, courtesy of Montana Gray.”
“He’s paid you to take me to San Francisco?”
“No. I took the liberty of adding you to the passenger list. Gray thinks you’re dead.”
“You— saved me?”
“I fished you from the Willamette River and brought you on board. The ship’s doctor was appalled at what they’d done to you. No one knows Montana’s responsible but me. If Montana finds you again, my friend, he’ll make certain you die. I figured the safest place for you was right under his nose, so I brought you here.”
“What have you got against Gray?”
There was a weighty pause. “We have a score to settle,” was Zeke’s cold answer.
“Stand in line,” Jesse muttered.
Zeke laughed without humor. He tucked the blanket close to Jesse’s neck. There was something about the way he did that that sent warning shivers down Jesse’s nerves. “Are you a girly boy, Zeke?”
“Certainly not!” he declared, snatching his hands back indignantly.
“Because I don’t give a damn if you are. If you saved me, I’ll lay down my life for you. But if you touch me, I’ll kill you as soon as I’m able.”
“You really don’t know when you’re at a disadvantage, do you?” Zeke asked with reluctant admiration.
Jesse sighed. “Another Danner curse,” he muttered, sinking into oblivion once more.
Other e-books by Nancy Bush
If you enjoyed this book, you might also be interested in other e-books by Nancy Bush. Following, please find a small selection of her catalog that might interest you.
Lady Sundown
As beautiful and reckless as the glorious Oregon wilderness, Lexie Danner was determined to claim the shining promise of her future. Not for her the stifling confines of an elegant finishing school—she would fulfill her dream to be an animal doctor, and wed whom she pleased! No one would stop her—least of all her so-called stepbrother Tremaine. Related to Lexie through marriage only and her enemy since childhood the rugged, boldly confident young doctor sparked a fierce anger in her—and a sudden, newly-awakened desire.
But a scheming land baron's conspiracy and a powerful, vengeful enemy from the past threatened to destroy all they both cherished. Now they would be forced to fight for their fives—and a love as blazing and eternal as the boundless mountain skies…
Hush
Cross Your Heart
In the summer before their senior year, Coby Rendell and her friends take a beach trip together. Around a campfire on a foggy June night, Coby, Rhiannon, Yvette and the others share their darkest secrets, before a tragic accident shatters the bond between them…
And Hope
Twelve years later Coby attends a birthday party reunion that ends in horror when Yvette’s sister’s lifeless body is discovered in a hot tub. Soon others in the original group of tale-tellers begin meeting similar fates-unfortunate "accidents” shrinking their numbers one by one…
To Die
Conflicted by her growing feelings for Danner Lockwood, the investigating detective, Coby races to unravel a mystery buried in the past. But someone is watching her every move-someone prepared to kill again and again to protect a shocking truth…
Wicked Lies
If At First You Don’t Succeed
For two years, Justice Turnbull has paced his room at Halo Valley Security Hospital, planning to escape. Justice has a mission-one that began with a vicious murder two decades ago. And there are so many others who must be sent back to the hell that spawned them…
Kill…
Laura Adderley didn’t plan to get pregnant by her soon-to-be ex-husband, though she’ll do anything to protect her baby. But now reporter Harrison Frost is asking questions about the mysterious group of women who live at Siren Song lodge. Harrison hasn’t figured out Laura’s connection to the story yet. But Justice knows. And he is coming…
Then Kill Again…
All her life, Laura has been able to sense approaching evil. But that won’t stop a psychopath bent on destroying her. Justice has been unleashed, and this time, there will be no place safe to hide…
* * *
“Chilling… Swift pacing and an intriguing plot make this a first-rate supernatural thriller.” -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Wicked Game
One By One, They’ll Die…
Twenty years ago, wild child Jessie Brentwood vanished from St. Elizabeth’s high school. Most in Jessie’s tight circle of friends believed she simply ran away. Few suspected that Jessie was hiding a shocking secret — one that brought her into the crosshairs of a vicious killer…
Until There’s No One Left…
Two decades pass before a body is unearthed on school grounds and Jessie’s old friends reunite to talk. Most are sure that the body is Jessie’s, that the mystery of what happened to her has finally been solved. But soon, Jessie’s friends each begin to die in horrible, freak accidents that defy explanation…
But Her…
Becca Sutcliff has been haunted for years by unsettling visions of Jessie, certain her friend met with a grisly end. Now the latest deaths have her rattled. Becca can sense that an evil force is shadowing her too, waiting for just the right moment to strike. She feels like she’s going crazy. Is it all a coincidence — or has Jessie’s killer finally returned to finish what was started all those years ago?
Blind Spot
What You Don’t See…
The crime scene at an Oregon rest stop is brutal beyond belief—a young man’s lifeless body cut to ribbons, and his pregnant girlfriend left alive but comatose…
What You Don’t Know…
Psychologist Claire Norris is assigned to treat the survivor at a private mental hospital. But there are no clues to the identity of the catatonic “Jane Doe.” A difficult job only becomes more complicated with the arrival of ex-homicide detective Langdon Stone, who questions Claire’s every move.
Can Kill You
Reluctantly working together, Claire and Lang begin to unravel the chilling truth about a twisted case—one with ties to a killer who is right in their midst, eager to see a mission of evil through to its terrifying end…
About the author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nancy Bush has been writing for over thirty years. Known for her romantic suspense and mystery novels, Nancy began her career writing romance with as much intrigue as her publishers would allow. Now one of her most enduring series has returned: The Danner Quartet. The four historical romances that comprise the series – LADY SUNDOWN, MIRACLE JONES, JESSE’S RENEGADE and SCANDAL’S DARLING – will soon be available again in e-book form. Beginning with LADY SUNDOWN, meet the irrepressible Danners and follow their adventures as they span the globe from the rural environs of Ro
ck Springs, Oregon to the Victorian era of London in the late 1800’s.
The first two books in the Danner Quartet – LADY SUNDOWN and MIRACLE JONES – will be available in July 2011. The next two – JESSE’S RENEGADE and SCANDAL’S DARLING – will be out later in the summer of 2011.
Connect with Me Online:
Website
http://www.nancybush.net
Twitter
http://twitter.com/NancyBushAuthor
My Blog
http://nancybush.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page
http://www.facebook.com/nancybushauthor
Table of Contents
By Nancy Bush Originally published as Danner's Lady
Published by Nancy Bush Visit Nancy Bush’s official website at www.nancybush.net for the latest news
Author’s Note
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Epilogue
The story continues… Turn the page for a thrilling peek inside Book III of the Danner Quartet JESSE’S RENEGADE
An excerpt from JESSE’S RENEGADE
Other e-books by Nancy Bush
Lady Sundown As beautiful and reckless as the glorious Oregon wilderness
Hush Cross Your Heart In the summer before their senior year
Wicked Lies If At First You Don’t Succeed For two years
Wicked Game One By One
Blind Spot What You Don’t See… The crime scene at an Oregon rest stop is brutal beyond belief—a young man’s lifeless body cut to ribbons
About the author