Karen Michelle Nutt (42 page)

Authors: A Twist of Fate

BOOK: Karen Michelle Nutt

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Following is a sneak peek of Storm Riders…

The hangman, a tall broad-shouldered man stood on the other side of Ace with his feet apart and his hands behind his back. The Deputy took his place near the steps.

Samantha studied Ace, her gaze sliding over him in admiration. Long, lean, and rather handsome even with a few days growth on his chin. He wore a brown cowboy hat, but his long hair peeked out. The color gleamed a rich dark brown as the sun beat down on the thick strands.

His eyes shifted in a subtle manner as if he were looking for someone.

“You have little faith,” she whispered. She raised her hand, tapping her cowboy hat with a subtle gesture, but it caught his attention. For a split second, a look of surprised recognition flitted across his features. He didn’t believe she’d show. She gave him a slight nod. He faced forward then with his shoulders back, standing tall before the crowd that chanted his death song.

The hangman lifted McTavish’s hat to place the black cloth over his face, but Ace moved his head away. The hangman shrugged with indifference. Ace had the right to face his accusers. The hangman draped the rope around McTavish’s neck, placing his hat firmly back down on his head. Then he tightened the rope around his neck. The reverend continued his sermon to save Ace’s soul rather than words to comfort him.

Samantha tapped her earpiece. “Are you ready, Denny?”

“Aren’t I always, luv?”

Her lips curved. “Let’s show these eegits the meaning of a real show, shall we?”

“Your words are pure poetry to my ears, Sammy.”

Denny could shoot a flea off a dog and she wasn’t exaggerating. Denny was the best sharpshooter at the SR institute. She won her share of metals too, but horses were her specialty. She grew up on a ranch, spending more time on a horse than anywhere else. She would be able to outrun whoever tried to come after them.

She kept her eyes on the hangman’s hand. The reverend closed his book and gave a nod. The hangman’s hand pressed the lever and the prisoner dropped. At the same time a shot rang out, severing the rope before it could constrict around McTavish’s neck and break it.

Her horse tensed, but she stroked his neck and leaned forward. “You’re fine, boy. Stay with me.”

People screamed and ducked. Deputy Goodman who stood at the foot of the stairs drew his gun, looking for the man responsible for the interruption.

He kept the patrons hopping with shots flying over their heads. Deputy Chester couldn’t leave the scaffold, the way the bullets flew at his feet, making him dance a jig.

Bless you, Denny Randeli.

Samantha didn’t waste time and rammed her feet into the horse’s flank, sending them flying forward through the crowd of scrambling people. McTavish looked stunned, but he was already working to free his hands.

“Need some help, cowboy.” She tipped back her hat and smiled. She pulled her knife out and he stumbled back. “Don’t be stupid. Let me cut the ropes.”

“Who are ye, lass?” His thick Scottish brogue laced his words.

“I’m the woman who’s going to save your arse. Now turn around and let me cut you free.”

He didn’t hesitate now, whirling around and giving her his backside. A nice backside, too, but now wasn’t the time to admire it. Keeping the horse steady, she leaned down and slashed the binds free from his hands. She shoved the knife back in its holder and offered her hand.

He turned to stare at her. In the bright of day, his eyes stood out like clear green gems with no other pigment clouding the color.

“Come on.” She thrust out her gloved hand.

His grip was firm as he swung up behind her.

“Hold on,” she told him. “Hiyah!” The horse bolted at the command and her sudden slam of her boot heel against its flank. She maneuvered around the scrambling crowd with ease and jumped over obstacles in her way.

“St. Brigid in Heaven, you’re an angel.” McTavish clung to her, his hands around her waist—warm and large, the heat from him sent a strange feeling to the pit of her stomach.

She shook her head. It was the thrill of the escape, not how McTavish felt against her. She tried to convince herself with no avail.

“Do you have the package?” Denny’s voice echoed in her ear, making her focus.

“Got him and we’re on the right trail to lose anyone who follows. We’ll stop at the first hideout and see if there’s trouble. If it looks clear, we’ll meet you back at the safe house tonight.

“Be safe,” Denny told her.

“Back at you.”

“Who are ye talkin’ to, darlin’?” McTavish leaned his head next to hers, his breath whispering against her cheek.

“None of your concern, cowboy. Just keep holding on. We have a rough ride ahead of us if we want to cover our tracks.”

She thought she heard him chuckle. “Oh, doonae fash yerself. I willnae let go.”

Other stories by Karen Michelle Nutt

Time Travel:

A Twist of Fate

Lost in the Mist of Time

At the Stroke of Midnight

Storm Riders (western, steampunk)

Heart of a Warrior

Fallen Angels:

Eli: Warriors for the Light (Fallen Angels, Book 1)

Lucca: Warriors for the Light (Book 2)

The Curse of Tempest Gate

Vampires and Shifters

Moon Shifter

Destiny’s Prerogative

Love’s Eternal Embrace

Magic of the Loch

Autumn Moon

Paranormal Elements:

Wanted

Second Time Around, “The Spirit of Love”

Mr. O’Grady’s Magic Box

Black Donald’s Coin

Shattered Illusions

The Destiny Stone (A Twist of Time Anthology)

About the Author:

Karen Michelle Nutt resides in California with her husband, three fascinating children, and houseful of demanding pets. Jack, her Chihuahua/Yorkshire terrier is her writing buddy and sits long hours with her at the computer.

Her Book, Lost in the Mist of Time, was nominated for New Books Review Spotlight Best Fantasy Book of the Year Award 2006. A Twist of Fate was a nominee for Best Time Travel P.E.A.R.L. Award for 2008. Creighton Manor won Honorable Mention P.E.A.R.L. Award 2009.

Her new passion is creating book covers for
Western Trail Blazers
and
Rebecca J. Vickery Publishing
. In her spare time, she reviews books for PNR-Paranormal Romance Reviews.

Whether your reading fancy is paranormal, historical or time travel, all her stories capture the rich array of emotions that accompany the most fabulous human phenomena—falling in love.

Visit the author at:
http://www.kmnbooks.com

Stop by her blog for Monday interviews, chats and contests at:

http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com

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