Linda Ford Read Online Free

was beginning to think the only place Red would be safe was behind bars.
    “Just get the horse back.” Eddie spun about and paced to the far side of the room. He stared out the window as Ward waited. With a gut-deep sigh, Eddie turned. “And bring her back, too, or Linette will have both our hides.”
    “Boss, you expect me to tie her to the saddle?”
    Eddie grinned. “Ward, charm her into coming back.”
    “Yeah, right.” So far neither charm nor superior strength had convinced Red she didn’t need to go back to that man Thorton. “Why in the name of all that’s right would she want to return?”
    “I don’t know. Doesn’t make sense. He must have some hold on her, though I can’t imagine what it could be.”
    Ward turned and headed back to the barn. Whatever Red’s reason, he intended to stop her. No way he could stand by and see a person subjected to the abuse he knew she received. As he saddled up, he prayed for a way to convince her. And, Lord, keep her safe. In her condition she could have fallen from the horse and received further injury.
    Following her tracks presented no challenge and he galloped down the trail. The sun rose higher in the east, bringing with it the promise of heat.
    Was Red in that silly dress she clutched in her arms yesterday? If so, she’d soon be burnt a matching color. Though anyone riding back into her situation deserved to suffer some misery. Might make her reconsider her decision.
    But worry soon replaced his annoyance. And a large dose of confusion. He knew firsthand the pain and fear of living with someone who controlled with fists to the flesh and a belt across the back...or anywhere it landed. Why would she return to such a situation? Eddie said the man must have a hold on her. But Ward couldn’t imagine what that could be.
    He settled into a lope. An hour later he glimpsed her in the distance and urged his horse to a gallop.
    As he closed the distance, she turned, saw him and kicked poor old Moon into a jarring trot. Ward knew from experience how rough a ride Moon was and almost felt sorry for her.
    He easily overtook her, grabbed the bridle and pulled them to a standstill. “What do you think you’re doing?” At least she’d chosen to wear the brown dress rather than the revealing red one.
    “I’m going back where I belong.” Her green eyes blazed with defiance.
    “You know the kind of trouble you can get into for stealing a horse?”
    “About the same you will be in for kidnapping me.”
    “Kidnapping!” She had to be joshing. “I rescued you.”
    “Don’t recall saying I needed rescuing.”
    He reached out and touched her back where he’d seen the red welts and knew a fleeting sense of triumph when she flinched. “You planning to tell me you like that kind of treatment?”
    “Wasn’t planning to tell you anything.”
    “I know what it’s like to have a belt used on me. I know what it does to your mind.”
    Her eyes darkened. She pressed her lips together. For a moment he thought she might soften. Admit the pain. Relent. But then her shoulders went back and her chin went up and he knew she wouldn’t give in.
    “Nothing touches my mind.”
    Ward shrugged. “You’ll never convince me, ’cause I know better. Not only does it affect your mind, it affects your heart. Teaches you to build guards around it so no one can get in.”
    “Speak for yourself.” She jerked away and urged the horse forward.
    He grabbed the bridle again. “You ain’t going anywhere.”
    She yanked at the reins, trying to get free. When that didn’t work, she slapped his hands, tried to kick his horse.
    “Stop it.”
    “Let me go.”
    They stared at each other, both breathing hard. He knew his eyes were as hard and unyielding as hers, which blared brittle, green shards. “Why would you want to go back to such a situation?”
    He could feel her measuring him, trying to gauge him. He could see her throat work as if she struggled to swallow.
    Finally she nodded. “He has