Read Captive Bride for Free Online

Let’s ride.”
    She fought the urge to run, even knowing she couldn’t escape. With a resigned shrug, she rose and made her way to the horses. He took the canteens and motioned for her to mount. As she swung into the saddle, she made no effort to hide her tears.
    ****
    Abby’s tears sent waves of recrimination washing over Davy, but he quickly pushed those thoughts aside. He had to stop thinking of Abby as a person and only as his captive, a means to avenge his father’s death.
    Thus far, that had proved difficult, if not impossible.
    Her kiss had been as sweet as he’d dreamed it would be. The feel of her soft, pliant body had awakened passion so intense he’d never felt before. Oh, he’d had his share of women. Some of the maidens in his mother’s village had made it clear his advances would be welcome, but they didn’t stir his blood like Abby O’Sullivan. They didn’t haunt his sleep. Each moment with Abby made his plan harder to follow. The sight of her in those tight pants, her voluptuous curves and rounded derriere, had taken his breath away.
    After she climbed into the saddle, he did the same and, with a nudge of his heels, sent his mount out of the cave, the pack mule in tow. But instead of going back down the slope, he followed a ledge around the side of the mountain and then climbed higher up the rocky terrain. At the top, he reined in his mount and pulled out his binoculars. He cupped his hands around the lenses to make sure the sun didn’t catch the reflection and signal anyone below.
    As he scanned the valley, a small plume of dust to the east caught his attention. He focused on that area. About fifteen riders rode in his direction, Silver Feather leading the way. So the wily old warrior had found his tracks. Davy slid a glance at Abby to see if she’d noticed. She hadn’t. He turned his horse and led the way slowly down the back slope. Sudden movements could be spotted from long distances.
    He stopped about a hundred yards in the shade of a gnarled pine tree. He dismounted and tied the reins of the mule to a low bush, then turned to her. “Get down, Abby.”
    “Why?”
    “Do like I say.” For a moment, he thought she might refuse, but she slid from the saddle. He pulled a leather thong from his saddlebag and motioned for her to come nearer.
    She shook her head. “No, no. What are you doing? Why?”
    “I have to go back. I forgot something in the cave.”
    “Well, take me with you.”
    “You’ll just slow me down.”
    “No, I won’t. Don’t leave me alone.”
    “You’ll be fine. I’ll only be a few minutes, and I want you here when I get back.”
    “I give you my word I won’t move from this spot.” She put her hand over her heart. “I swear.”
    “I don’t believe you.” He stepped closer to her. “It’ll be a lot easier if you just do what I say.” When she said nothing, he smiled. “Good.” Quickly, he bound her wrists, then tied the rope to the tree, giving her enough play in the rope to sit if she wanted. In one fluid movement, he mounted his horse.
    When he neared the top, he slid from the saddle and dashed back down to the cave. He grabbed a few dried branches and wiped out their tracks. Silver Feather wouldn’t be fooled, but it might give them a few hours head start.
    In a few minutes, he was back to where he’d left Abby. Her mount was gone—and so was she.
    He cursed loudly. How in hell had she gotten loose? He dismounted and studied the tracks. Then he saw it—the branch. She’d broken the limb, so her hands were still tied. She couldn’t have gotten far.
    “Abby,” he yelled. “Come out. I know you’re there.”
    Nothing. Silence.
    Then a bird rose from a shrub of manzanita, flapping its wing and cawing loudly. Davy grinned to himself. His admiration for Abby edged up a notch. The sound of running footsteps told him where she was. He climbed into the saddle and headed in that direction. In a few minutes, he caught up with her. He spurred his horse