Linda Ford - The Cowboy's Baby Bond

But then Ma and Pa had died. Wedding plans were postponed while Willow grieved. Peter had comforted her, and one night she’d allowed the comforting to go too far.

But she’d expected Peter to marry her. Yes, they would have to rush the wedding, ignoring expected standards about the mourning period. But she loved him and he loved her.

Except, it turned out, he didn’t love her enough.

“I can’t take a woman carrying a baby into the wilds. It wouldn’t be safe.”

Her heart had fallen apart. “I don’t want to be responsible for you losing your dream.”

He’d taken it the wrong way. “That’s very kind of you. I’ll leave within the week.”

Willow closed her eyes against the remembered shock and shame of having to go to Mr. Reames and tell him the truth.

Now she held Adam to her chest, ignoring his protests. “I have you,” she crooned to the boy. “That’s all that matters.”

A pair of approaching riders snapped her from the tender moment. She set Adam behind her in a safe little nest she’d made among her belongings. She handed him a hard biscuit to chew on, hoping it would keep him quiet, then eased the pistol from her satchel and hid it in the folds of her dress. Many men would see her as easy prey, but she had no intention of letting herself fall into evil hands.

The men parted to go on either side of her wagon, putting her at a disadvantage. She shifted her gaze from one to the other.

“Howdy,” the bigger man, on her left, said. “You out here by yourself?”

She flicked the reins, but the man on her right caught the mare and held her in place.

“Seems a little unneighborly to ride on without answering my friend.”

Willow refused to show fear even though her heart raced so hard it hurt. “Howdy to you both. Now would you please let me pass?”

“What’s yer hurry?”

The skin on the back of her neck shivered at the way the bigger man leered at her.

“I’m meeting someone. He should be along any moment now.” It was an outright lie but she’d do anything to protect her child from the likes of these ruffians.

Both men looked up and down the trail.

“Don’t see anyone coming.” The big man rode forward and poked at the canvas covering her belongings. “What’cha got in here?”

Please don’t see Adam. Please don’t see him.

“Hey, look, Shorty. A baby. Well, ain’t that cute? Jes’ look at him.”

Shorty didn’t move, still holding the mare.

Willow’s mind raced. Should she shoot Shorty? Shoot the man behind her? Which would give her the best advantage? And could she actually pull the trigger?

“I ain’t played with a baby since I was a kid.” The big man leaned across the side of the wagon.

It was now or never. With shaking hands she whipped the pistol out, sucked in a deep breath and shot toward Shorty.

The man’s horse reared, forcing him to release his hold on her mare.

“Hi yi!” She whipped the reins as hard as she could and the wagon jerked forward. She glanced over her shoulder.

One man fought to gain control of his horse. The other tried to keep his mount from racing down the hillside. Then her gaze lit on her son. Adam lay in the wagon, his eyes scrunched up, ready to cry. She didn’t have time to comfort him as she urged the placid old mare to run harder.

Another glance behind her revealed the two men had their horses under control and were racing after her. A third followed. Where had he come from?

Panic sucked at her insides until she felt nothing else. She kept her attention on the road, which veered to the left ahead. She’d have to ford the river here—not something she cared to attempt at a full gallop. She was trapped between the water and the wicked men behind her.

She heard a shot ring out and tensed. She felt nothing. Not that she knew how it felt to be hit with a bullet. She wondered if she’d feel anything at this point, she was so consumed with fear.

At the sound of another shot, she glanced behind her to make sure Adam was safe. He watched her with wide. unblinking eyes. Then he chuckled. For a heartbeat her fear gave way to surprise. Then she faced the road ahead. The left turn approached. If she took it at this speed, she’d surely overturn the wagon and risk their lives.

Was this what her parents saw happening when their buggy ran out of control?

She bit down on her bottom lip. No time to deal with such thoughts. She would not put Adam’s life in danger even if it meant fighting off two angry men and now a third. She pulled back on the reins. “Whoa. Whoa.”

The mare fought the weight of the racing wagon as she slowed.

With no time to spare to check on her pursuers, Willow eased around the corner and down the slope toward the river. Her throat tightened. She’d never driven a wagon across a ford. Was it wide enough she didn’t need to worry about the wheels falling into the depths? How strong was the current? She clenched her teeth and—

“Willow. Stop.”

Her heart lurched. Who knew her name around here?

“Wait. Stop. Those men have gone.”

She turned to stare at the man who called out, in time to see Johnny ride up to her side.

She blinked, as if to clear her vision, but when she reopened her eyes, he was still there.

He reached for her hands and unwound her fingers from the reins.

It took forever for her mind to begin functioning again. She looked behind her and saw nothing but twin tails of dust as the men rode away. She brought her gaze back to him. “What...? Where...?”

He grinned. “They didn’t stick around once they saw the scales were balanced.” He leaned back to check on Adam, who gurgled in pleasure. “Why, I think the little scamp enjoyed the race.” Johnny regarded Willow with some concern. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

She shuddered. “I’m fine. But where did you come from?”

He swung off his horse and reached up to lift her down. It never crossed her mind to refuse or wonder about his intentions.

Her knees rattled, so she couldn’t stand on her own, and she clung to his arm.

Adam climbed from his little nest and crawled toward them. Johnny took the boy in one arm and, with Willow clinging to the other, led them to a grassy spot. “Let’s sit down for a few minutes until you’re feeling better.”

How did he know her stomach alternately clenched and rolled? Was it so evident in her expression? Not that it mattered. She gratefully sank to the ground, glad that Johnny had Adam. Her arms were too weak to trust herself to hold him.

“Who were those men?” Her voice came out in a frightened whisper. She must get herself under control. This weakness could not be allowed. She must be strong and in control.

“I’ve never run into them before, but rough men pass through from time to time. I expect we’ve seen the last of those two.”

She shuddered again. “I certainly hope so.”

Johnny edged forward so he could look her directly in the eyes.

She met his gaze and felt her fear instantly abate. She hoped he saw nothing but courage in her glance. She repeated her question. “Where did you come from?”

He smiled gently, almost undoing her determination to be strong on her own. Wouldn’t it be nice to feel a pair of sturdy arms about her? No, she would never again trust a man’s arms to shelter her.

“I got as far as where I found you and little Adam yesterday.”

Hearing his name, Adam chuckled. “Man,” he said. “Man.”

Any other time, Willow would have been thrilled to hear him say a word she could understand, but right now she wanted to know why Johnny was there.

He paused to grin at Adam. “Me, man. You, boy.” Then he shifted Adam to one side so he could give Willow his attention. “When I got there I knew I couldn’t go on. I felt responsible to see you and your sisters get settled in your own home. So here I am.”