by Jovana
What if she lost him?
Seeing him dead on the dusty street of Red River would kill her. The boys tried to tell her that Reno was up to it, but she knew that even if he won this fight, there would be others. These ambitious little mama’s boys wouldn’t leave Reno alone until he was cold in the ground.
She finally got up from the porch swing and went inside. With her mind full of worry, she drifted into a troubled sleep, tossing and turning until she saw herself standing on a lonely, dusty street. She seemed to hear someone calling her from out of a deep fog, and turned to see who it was. As the fog lifted, she saw a cowboy dressed in black with silver spurs that clinked, and long black hair that lifted on the breeze.
It was Reno!
“Oh, Reno!” she called out as she ran to him and jumped into his arms.
The two of them laughed like children while he turned them around and around in that empty street.
“Where have you been, Reno?”
“I’ve been looking for you, Easy. All my life,” he said. “I’ve always wanted someone to love, to care for. Someone to love me.”
“Oh, Reno, I do love you. Don’t leave. Stay here with me.”
“Oh, God, Easy, I want to—”
The words had just left his lips when they heard an echo of evil laughter and looked around. They saw hundreds of men with their guns pointing toward Reno in challenge.
“Is this what you want for her?” they asked Reno. “Because this is what your life will be like. We’ll come by the thousands when you least expect it, and one of us will be faster than you. One will be the death of Reno Hudson, the terror of the west! One will put you in your grave!
“Reno, who are they? What’s happening?”
He turned and took her in his arms. “You heard them, Easy. Life with me won’t be easy. Can you live in a world of guns and death, never knowing what day might be my last?”
“Reno, all I know is I love you. If I had to live my life without you that would be a death sentence for me.”
“That’s all I needed to hear.” He turned to the crowd of gunslingers, bounty hunters, gamblers, and even lawmen, and said, “Go back to the hell you came out of. Someday we’ll meet, and when we do, make sure your widows are taken care of.”
Before he could turn back around, the men were crouching, their guns pointed and firing, the bullets whizzing all around them. Reno pushed Easy out of the way, and shouted, “Run, Easy!”
With both guns drawn, Reno crouched and began shooting.
Suddenly the beautiful dream that had turned to a nightmare blew up in jagged pieces, jarring her awake. She was crying, a feeling of doom indelibly stamped upon her heart. Worried, she turned and saw Reno lying next to her, so handsome in the moonlight, the bullets silenced and all the fires out.
Feeling safe once more, she relaxed and finally fell asleep.
When she woke up later—Reno was gone.
Chapter 7
Reno and Rio Judson walked slowly as they began to square off in the middle of the dusty street of Red River. Frightened townspeople scattered, some going into the general store while others looked on from the saloon. Finally, Reno came to a halt when the street was vacant of cattle ranchers, dirt farmers, and school marms. The whipping wind whistled out a funeral dirge, and the sun that was barely shining was behind him.
While Reno looked into the face of possible death he couldn’t help thinking of Easy, and her soft, warm body next to his. If only he could have that forever. To wake up every morning with her beside him was all he wanted out of this life. He knew that now. He’d been fighting it, but with his life on the line, all he could think of was her and how much he loved her. He knew his roaming days were over. He didn’t know how he’d do it, but he had to call it quits and settle down.
Suddenly he saw Rio reach for his gun, and quickly reached for his. Before the kid had it half way out of his holster, Reno fired, and the kid went down. The instant it happened Reno felt a pain in his gut, and ran over to him.
“You stupid kid,” he said. “Why the hell couldn’t you leave me alone?”
“Tell my mama…” he began, then his head fell to one side.
While Reno knelt there with tears in his eyes, the townspeople slowly began crowding around him, some from the saloon, the general store, and even the bank. The town that was as quiet as a cemetery before was now bustling with crowds of people.
Reno finally rose and stumbled into the sheriff’s office. He’d been in there a couple of hours when suddenly things turned ugly and loud voices were heard coming from inside.
“I want you out of town, Reno! I’m sick and tired of you bringin’ your trouble to Red River. I run a quiet, law-abidin’ town, and I don’t want the likes of you hangin’ around givin’ us a bad name.”
“Why, you bastard! Do you think for one minute I’m gonna stand here and listen to some weak-kneed sheriff tell me what to do? I could own this town if I wanted to!”
“Just try, cowboy, just try. I should have locked you up a long time ago.”
Suddenly someone struck a blow, followed by furniture breaking, and a body flying across a window. The fight went on for several minutes until finally the sheriff’s door burst open and Reno rolled out into the street at the feet of a crowd that had gathered outside.
Sheriff Hargreaves came to the door with his lip bleeding and his hair mussed and sweaty. Taking a threatening stance, he said, “Get out of here, Reno, and don’t come back!”
Reno stood up, and with a threat in his voice, he said, “This ain’t over, Hargreaves. I’ll meet you tomorrow at high noon, right here. Be sure you say your prayers tonight because you’re gonna die in front of all these people you’re tryin’ to protect. Let them see what a coward you really are!”
* * * *
The next day dawned dark and cloudy. An expectant hush hung over the town while a rumble of thunder traveled through the sky threatening rain. At high noon, Reno could be seen walking toward the sheriff’s office, his black boots crunching the dust, his silver spurs sending out a sinister rattle, and his six guns hanging threateningly along his hips. The hot wind kicked up the dust around him when Reno finally stood alone in front of the Sheriff’s office.
“Hargreaves!” Reno bellowed.
The sheriff rose from his desk, checked his gun, and walked heavily to the door. Outside, he saw the legendary Reno Hudson. He looked dark and dangerous as he stood there wide legged, his hand hovering near his gun.
“Hello, Reno.”
“Get the hell out here, you spineless coward.”
“Reno, come on into the office, and let’s talk this over.”
“Hell, no, Hargreaves. You ain’t about to weasel outta this. We’ve done all the talkin’ we’re gonna do. You and that sanctimonious badge of yours made it clear that I ain’t welcome in your town, and I don’t take kindly to that. You, like so many others, are in my way, and I’m tired of it, so get ready to draw. I’ve come for your hide.”
“Have it your own way,” the sheriff said as he hesitantly stepped off the stoop and onto the street.
While the two of them sized each other up, the wind kicked up, blowing a wall of grit across the dusty street. Dark clouds formed overhead, thunder rumbled, and a cawing bird flew overhead, sending out messages of doom. While gloom settled over the little town, each one waited for the other to draw. Finally, Reno, lightning fast went for his gun, but something went wrong and he couldn’t get it out of his holster. He struggled until it finally slipped out. Trying to make up for lost time he shot toward the sheriff, but his shot wasn’t aimed well, and he shot wild. Just then another shot rang out, its bursting fire coming from the sheriff’s gun. In only seconds, Reno dropped his gun, grabbed his chest, and fell to the ground.
A woman’s scream came bursting out of the crowd.
It was Easy.
Slowly, everyone began spilling out of the surrounding buildings and crowding around him. They were afraid to ask—was he dead, or just wo
unded? The town doctor rushed over to Reno’s body and began examining him. After several minutes, he lifted his gloomy face, looked at the sheriff, and gave a quick shake of his head.
It was the end of an era.
Reno Hudson was dead.
* * * *
The next day a crowd of people, including Easy and the sheriff, stood on Boot Hill at the graveside of Reno Hudson. In the distance were three darkly-clad cowboys, still mounted on their horses, looking on from beneath a tree. The moment was solemn, the sky still cloudy, the rumble of thunder still sending a threat from the sky. Reno had no friends in this town, so many of the townspeople came just out of curiosity.
“From dust we came, to dust we shall return…he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword…”
The parson’s words were solemn and rang in everyone’s ears. Once he was finished, the gravediggers began filling up the grave, and the people slowly wandered away—all but Easy and the mysterious strangers. They stood very still, the whipping wind singing a funeral dirge that tore at Easy’s heart. Again, she read the words inscribed on the gravestone that were placed at the head of the grave—
Here lies
Reno Hudson
The terror of the west
Born September 9, 1837
Died November 2, 1869
* * * *
Easy’s ranch hands finally returned, and life had gotten back to being pretty much like it was before Reno and his gang had invaded it. She was doing some cleaning when a knock sounded at the door. Putting down her broom, she answered it.
“Hello, Sheriff Hargreaves, what brings you out to the Lazy M?”
“Just checking to see if everything’s okay. Is Roby in?”
After grabbing his hat, a man appeared at Easy’s side. “Right here, Sheriff.”
“I just wanted to check and see if everything was okay.”
“Couldn’t be better.”
“Looks like it worked,” Hargreaves said, smiling.
“It sure does. I can’t thank you enough, Sheriff. If it hadn’t been for you I’d still be runnin’.”
“Well, I’m always ready to help good people make a new start.”
“Hey, thank the doc for me, too. We couldn’t have done it without him.”
“Sure will.” He tipped his hat to the couple, and said, “Well, good day you two. Let me know if you need anything.”
After the door closed, Easy turned to Reno. “Roby Tyler. It’s a good, strong name, but kind of hard to get used to.”
“I’m just glad it’s a name that doesn’t draw gunfire. Now, I’d better get out there and help the others bring in that crop.”
“I don’t know,” she teased. “Think you and the gang can handle just bein’ plain old folks for a change? Doin’ chores from sunup to sunset, plantin’, prayin’ for rain, fightin’ dust storms. Might not be much fun.”
“Don’t you worry. I’ll take to it like a babe takes to its mother’s milk. I’ll be so dull you won’t be able to stand me.”
“Hey Reno,” she said, indicating toward the ceiling. “What about them?”
He looked up. “Them?”
“You know, the gods.”
He gave a slight shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe they think I’m dead.”
“Or maybe they just decided you’ve had enough bad luck, and now they’re gonna give you a break.”
Reno shrugged. “Could be, I guess, but just to be sure, call me Roby.”
* * * *
Easy watched Reno as he headed out and felt a contentment inside she’d never felt before. She turned to her bedroom, knowing she had to do one last thing to put all this behind her. As she lay across the bed, she dug out her latest Frank Starr book, and flipped to the story that told about Reno Hudson’s last showdown. Instead of reading it, she took the book, gripped it tightly, and gave it a strong rip. She kept tearing, knowing that she would never again read about the adventures of Reno Hudson and his gang that left her cold and wanting. Now her thrills came from those same black-clad heroes who reminded her with kisses, embraces, and mind-blowing orgasms that they weren’t made of paper, but of real flesh and blood.
Now, as she threw the destroyed book into the trash, she looked up toward the gods that Reno believed in, and whispered a tearful, “Thanks.”
THE END
ABOUT JOVANA
She’s new, she’s different, and she blows through the writing world like a fresh breeze. Her style may be a bit avant garde, but I promise you, after one peek into her creative mind, you will not soon forget Jovana!
Her books are full of wicked lovers, perfect gentlemen, masters of ménage, sexy capers, werewolf love, shifters, bad boys, intriguing plots, all with characters who might make you wonder—didn’t I know him in another life?
While reading about these sexy strangers, you will meet the women who make them happy, including the prim and proper ladies who are persuaded to leave their good manners at home and surrender to these dirty devils.
Jovana writes in many genres, but is known best for her incredible ménage stories. Men with the men and women who love them rise to a burning, thrilling, and very satisfying climax.
Jovana is the kind of writer who delights in stepping out of her comfort zone to try new things. One day she looked at her computer as if it were a mountain to be conquered and said, “I can do that!” And she’s been doing it ever since!
Jovana is a sucker for a good romance, and when she isn’t reading or sitting at her computer writing sexy stories, she’s dreaming of her next hero and knock-out plot.
Love her or hate her, Jovana’s kinky fantasies always start with a bang and lead you through to a twisted or surprise ending.
ABOUT JMS BOOKS LLC
JMS Books LLC is a small queer press with competitive royalty rates publishing LGBT romance, erotic romance, and young adult fiction. Visit jms-books.com for our latest releases and submission guidelines!