Love’s Sweet Revenge(173)

Can Randy overcome these challenges and grow strong again? Will Jake finally put his dark past behind him? Will an ever-changing West tear them apart, or will it bring them to an even more solid and everlasting love in their golden years?

Whatever comes for the Harkner family, you will not want to miss The Last Outlaw!

Rosanne Bittner





Introducing the men of Texas legend by New York Times bestselling author Linda Broday




Men of Legend, Book One, by

LINDA BRODAY

On sale October 2016

Three brothers. One oath. No compromises.

The Ranger

Gravely injured on the trail of a notorious criminal, Texas Ranger Sam Legend boards a train bound for his family ranch to recuperate—only to find himself locked in battle to save a desperate woman on the run. Determined to rescue the beautiful Sierra, Sam recruits an unlikely ally. But can he trust the mysterious gunslinger to fight at his side?

Sam is shocked to discover his new ally is not only an outlaw, but also his half brother. Torn between loyalty to his job and love of his family, Sam goes reeling straight into Sierra’s arms. Yet just as the walls around his battered heart begin to crumble, Sierra is stolen away. Sam will risk anything to save her—his life, his badge, his very soul—knowing that some bonds are stronger than the law…and some legends were born to be told.

Praise for Forever His Texas Bride:

“Takes me back to a west that feels true. A delightful read.” —Jodi Thomas, New York Times bestselling author

“Broday’s Westerns always captivate.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

“One of the best historical western authors.” —Fresh Fiction

“Poignant, dramatic, and packed with action and mystery.” —Addicted to Romance





One


Central Texas

Early Spring 1877

Deep in the Texas Hill Country, wind sighing through the draw whispered against his face, sharpening his senses to a fine edge. A warning skittered along his spine before it settled in his chest.

Texas Ranger Sam Legend had learned to listen to his gut. Right now it said the suffocating sense of danger that crowded him had killing in mind. He brought the spyglass up to his eye and focused on the rustlers below. All fifteen had covered their faces, leaving only their eyes showing.

Every crisp sound swept up the steep incline where he crouched in a stand of cedar to the right of an old gnarled oak. He’d hidden his horse a short distance away and prayed the animal stayed put.

“Hurry up with those beeves! We’ve gotta get the hell out of here. Rangers are so close I can smell ’em!” a rustler yelled.

Where were the other rangers? They hadn’t been separated long and should’ve caught up by now.

Letting the outlaws escape took everything he had. But there were too many for one man, and this bunch was far more ruthless than most.

He peered closer as they tried to drive the bawling cattle up the draw. But the ornery bovines seemed to be smarter. They broke away from the group, scattering this way and that. Sam allowed a grin. These rustlers were definitely no cattlemen.

A lawman learned to adjust quickly. His mind whirled as he searched for some kind of plan. One shot fired in the air would alert the other rangers to his position if they were near. But would they arrive before the outlaws got to him?

Or…no one would fault Sam for sitting quietly until the lawless group cleared out.

Except Sam. A Legend never ran from a fight. It wasn’t in his blood. He would ride straight through hell and come out the other side whenever a situation warranted. As a Texas Ranger, he’d made that ride many times over.

From his hiding place, he could start picking off the rustlers. With luck, Sam might get a handful before they surrounded him. Still, a few beat none. Maybe the rest would bolt. Slowly, he drew his Colt and prepared for the fight.

Though winter had just given way to spring, the hot sun bore down. Sweat trickled into his eyes, making them sting. He wiped away the sweat with an impatient hand.

“Make this count,” he whispered. He had only one chance. It was all or nothing.

The first shot ripped into a man’s shoulder. As the outlaw screamed, Sam quickly swung to the next target and caught the rider’s thigh. A third shot grazed another’s head.

Damn! The next man leaned from the saddle just as he’d squeezed the trigger.

Before he could discharge again, cold steel jabbed into his back, and a hand reached for his rifle and Colt. “Turn around real slow, mister.”

The order grated along Sam’s nerve endings and settled in his clenched stomach. He listened for any sounds to indicate his fellow rangers were nearby. If not, he was dead. He heard nothing except bawling steers and men yelling.

Sam slowly turned his head. Cold, dead eyes glared over the top of the rustler’s bandana.