Read The Outlaws: Sam for Free Online Page B

to
do but he saw no help for it. She deserved an explanation for his
barging into the house without an invitation.
    "It's a long story, Rita, but you should know
that Lacey and I are married. We've been husband and wife for six
years."
    Sam could tell by her stunned expression that
she didn't believe him.
    "It's true, Rita," Sam explained. "My name is
Sam Gentry."
    "But...but, Senor Sam, Senora Lacey is going
to marry Senor Cramer. Her husband died in the war."
    "As you can see, I'm very much alive. We...we
lost track of one another and she believed me dead. Now that I've
found her, there will be no question of Lacey marrying Cramer. Are
Cramer and Lacey in the parlor?"
    "Si, Senor, I will tell her you're here."
    "Don't bother, I'll tell her myself."
     
    Lacey sat on the edge of the sofa, hands
tightly folded, listening to Taylor as he paced back and forth in
front of her, ranting and raving.
    "How could you have done this to us, Lacey?"
Cramer blasted. "We were to be married in two weeks. Now it will
have to be put off until I can send Sam Gentry packing." He stopped
in front of her and pulled her into his arms. "It's what you want,
isn't it? You don't want to stay married to that penniless cowboy,
do you?"
    "Of course not," Lacey said without
hesitation. She wanted Andy's future to be secure, and Taylor could
provide what Andy needed. A home, security, money to give him an
education.
    Cramer's smile held no warmth. An
unexplainable chill slithered down Lacey's back. "Good," Cramer
said. "I hoped you'd say that. Leave everything to me, my dear. One
way or another, Sam Gentry will be out of your life. I won't let
him interfere with my plans for the ranch." He paused, as if aware
of what he had carelessly revealed. "Forgive me, my dear, I meant
our wedding plans."
    Sam entered the parlor in time to hear Lacey
say, "What do you intend to do about Sam?"
    "Leave the details to me, Lacey. I know
exactly how to get rid of Sam Gentry."
    Before Lacey could gather her wits, Cramer's
arms tightened around her. Then he lowered his head and kissed her.
Lacey had been kiss by Cramer before but this time she felt
repelled by his hard lips and probing tongue. Nor did she remember
his taste and scent being so repulsive. She felt his hard fingers
crushing her breast moments before all hell broke loose.
    A roar filled her ears at the same time Sam
came hurtling out of nowhere. Cramer was literally torn away from
her and backed up against the nearest wall.
    "I warned you once about bothering Lacey,"
Sam snarled. He pulled his arm back, his hand fisted, ready to let
it fly into Cramer's face.
    Lacey grabbed his arm. "Please, Sam, don't do
it." She knew Cramer's vindictive nature and didn't want his anger
directed at Sam.
    Sam hesitated, then he shoved Cramer away.
"Get out, Cramer, before I really lose my temper. You can thank
Lacey this time for saving you but I promise I won't be so lenient
the next time."
    Cramer slithered away, eyeing Sam with
loathing. "I won't forget this, Gentry."
    "I'm counting on you remembering," Sam barked
through gritted teeth. "And just to make sure you won't bother my wife again, I'm moving into the big house, into Lacey's
bed."
    Lacey couldn't believe this was happening.
Just when her life had gotten back on track, Sam showed up and
ruined everything. He intended to move in with her and share her
bed, did he? Well, she'd have something to say about that!
    "You'd better leave, Taylor," she advised. "I
can handle Sam."
    "He's a savage. I don't trust him with my
future wife. Stay away from him, Lacey. Sam Gentry is trouble."
    "I want nothing to do with Sam," Lacey
averred. "I can't wait until he's out of my life."
    "I'll see what I can do to make your wish
come true," Cramer said, slamming his hat down on his head. "I'll
be in touch, my dear."
    Lacey confronted Sam the moment the door shut
behind Cramer. "Do you have to settle everything with your fists?
What kind of man have you become?"
    "You don't want to know,"