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what was the point? He pivoted on his heel and tugged the mask back on. Hopefully this holdup would end soon, and the stage and its passengers could be on their way. The young woman had seemed sincere when she promised not to divulge his identity. He hoped no one in town would convince her otherwise. The last thing he needed was his mug hanging on a wanted poster for something he hadn’t done.

Chapter Four

    Nevada stood his ground in front of the outlaw leader. “I want the brooch your man found in the coach, nothing else.”
    The man rubbed his unshaven jaw and chortled. “Got to you, did she? Quite the looker, if you ask me.” He leaned over and spat. “That stage ain’t too far down the road yet. Maybe I should trot after it and see if the lady wants company from a real man.” His cheeks stretched in a leering grin.
    Nevada sprang forward, landing less than a foot from the bandit. He grabbed the rough cloth of his shirt and jerked the man’s face within inches of his own. “Leave her alone or answer to me.”
    Out of the corner of his eye he saw one of the outlaws reach for his gun. Nevada shoved the leader away and swiveled toward the man, his hand hovering over the butt of his pistol. “Don’t even think about it, unless you want your gizzard filled with lead.”
    Hesitation showed in the eyes staring into his own. Finally, the outlaw relaxed and took a step back. “Don’t get all riled up now, pard. The boss was funnin’, wasn’t you, Jake?”
    A low snarling curse rolled from the leader’s throat. “Like thunder I was. Who are you anyway, mister?”
    Nevada kept his hand poised above his gun and pinned both of the men with his gaze. “That doesn’t matter. You promised me payment. I’ll take the brooch.”
    The third robber who’d kept silent stepped forward. “You didn’t do nothin’ to earn it but tend to some woman’s arm.”
    Nevada swung his attention around. “And you’d best be glad I did. If she’d bled to death, you’d be wanted for murder, as well as robbing the stage.”
    “Ha! Like you ain’t gonna be wanted too.” The leader dug into his pocket and withdrew the brooch. “Fine, take it. Looks like it’s probably nothin’ but junk anyway. Now get out of my sight.” He tossed the bit of jewelry through the air and Nevada caught it with his left hand.
    “Suits me.” He backed away, keeping an eye on the men. Good thing he’d left his horse tethered close by in a stand of mesquite, and the rest of this crew had to walk over the hill to find their mounts. He wouldn’t put it past any one of the three to plug him in the back if given half a chance.

    Christy’s arm throbbed and her head hurt, but she thanked the Lord she’d been spared the indignity of having her person searched. Shortly after the handsome bandit had dressed her wound and ushered her back with the others, the outlaws had gathered up the guns from every member of the party and disappeared over the top of a nearby hill. The driver had checked on her with some degree of solicitude, asking after her arm, and then urged the passengers to enter the stage.
    “Miss?” The woman sitting across from her leaned forward and touched her knee. “Are you all right?”
    Christy lifted her veil. “Yes. I hope Tombstone has a doctor, but at least the bleeding has stopped.”
    The gentleman next to her nodded. “Yes, ma’am, Doctor Good-fellow will fix you right up. He arrived in town last fall and is an expert on gunshot wounds. Good thing. Lots of shooting used to go on betwixt the miners and such, but it’s slowed down tolerable now we’ve got a county sheriff and town marshal.”
    “My name is Molly.” The woman gave a shy smile and motioned toward the portly man sitting beside her. “This here is my intended, Rodney. We’re going to marry as soon as we arrive. Rodney is from Tombstone, and he’s built us a house.”
    Christy pasted on what she hoped was a pleasant look, but a shaft of pain shot through