Hattie’s brow wrinkled. “Rescue me? I thought you were rescuing me.”
And just like that, Jack had nearly lost his advantage. “Ransom,” he said quickly. “They saved you for a purpose, and now we have to see what they’re demanding for your return. While I’m negotiating for your release, I’ll see about getting you some supper. It’s the least they can do for all the trouble they’re causing us.”
Then he saw something he never thought he’d see—a tear on Hattie Walker’s cheek. The confident, vivacious girl of his dreams had shown weakness. And he was in a position to help her.
Jack wasn’t sure what to do. He knew Hattie. She wouldn’t appreciate his noticing that she’d succumbed to womanly emotions. While he could dream of taking her in his arms, he thought better of it. Respect. That was what Hattie wanted more than anything.
Keeping his gaze somewhere over her head, he said, “You’ve maintained your composure so well. Just a while longer, and everything is going to be fine.”
Her voice was flat and tired. “The coach was attacked. I saw him shoot the driver. I . . . I touched dead bodies.” She wiped her face, but not before Jack saw another tear forming. He had to look away. Had to think of something besides smoothing her hair, now matted and littered with dry grass. Better to keep the conversation on the facts. Facts had always been Jack’s friends.
“Ma’am,” he asked, “did you know anyone on that stage?”
It was the right question. Her chin went up, and her sorrow turned to outrage. “No. And the two men traveling with me were very disrespectful.” She crossed her arms over her chest. Her dirty cuffs exposed hands of red, cracking skin and fingernails split by the cold. “They didn’t give me a moment’s peace. Extremely rude.”
If the report was accurate, they wouldn’t be rude to a woman ever again, but he knew better than to tell Hattie that. “We’ll find the man responsible for putting you through this,” he said. She gave a brisk nod, and the pain in his chest eased. Now that she was ready to fight again, he was ready with his plans. “In the meantime, eat the food that Spotted Hawk gives you and cooperate with her. I’ll speak to the chief and work everything out.”
He had to force his feet to carry him away. Of all the prayers he’d said for this girl over the years, he’d never thought to ask for her to be delivered to the reservation. It was up to him to make the most of it.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this special sample of The Lieutenant’s Bargain by Regina Jennings. For more information on this book, please visit www.bethanyhouse.com or your favorite bookstore.
About the Author
Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history. She’s the winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award, a two-time Golden Quill finalist, and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.com.
Books by Regina Jennings
LADIES OF CALDWELL COUNTY
Sixty Acres and a Bride
Love in the Balance
Caught in the Middle
OZARK MOUNTAIN ROMANCE
A Most Inconvenient Marriage
At Love’s Bidding
For the Record
THE FORT RENO SERIES
Holding the Fort
The Lieutenant’s Bargain
An Unforeseen Match from A Match Made in Texas: A Novella Collection
Her Dearly Unintended: An OZARK MOUNTAIN ROMANCE Novella from With This Ring? A Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry
Bound and Determined: A FORT RENO Novella from Hearts Entwined: A Historical Romance Novella Collection
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Bound and Determined Page 11