The Outlaw’s
Mail Order Bride, book 1 in Linda Broday’s new series, is out
January 29!
When the
West was wild
And man’s
law favored the few
These
extraordinary women could be found…
…in the
heart of an outlaw.
Former outlaw Clay Colby is abuzz with his mail order bride’s
expected arrival. He’s fought long and hard to drag Devil’s Crossing out of
lawlessness…so when his homestead is set ablaze by a bitter rival, he’s
heartbroken. There’s no woman in the world who’d stand by him now.
But Tally Shannon is no ordinary woman.
After escaping the psychiatric hospital in which she was wrongfully
detained, Tally only wants someone to protect her and the little girl under her
care. She doesn’t mind that Clay’s home is dang near burned to the ground—not
when he makes her feel so safe. So cherished. But it’s only a matter of time
before the ghosts of her past come calling…and her loving cowboy must defend
his new bride—and the family they built together—to his very last breath.
*******
READ ON FOR AN EXCERPT:
Dallas Hawk set
his empty bowl on the table and reached for his fiddle. He drew his bow slowly
across the strings, and the makeshift town came alive with sweet music.
Clay stood and
held out his hand to Tally. “May I have this dance, pretty lady?”
Her eyes darkened
in the shadows. “Yes, indeed, Mr. Colby.”
Despite the stiff
formality, Tally showed none in her movement. She was light in his arms. He
could hardly breathe with her so near. He buried his face in her hair and
inhaled her sweet fragrance. Her curves molded against his hard body as though
she’d been created just for him. The night was just about perfect. A full moon
came out and shone down, blessing them with silvery rays of light.
Clay held her
close, and they glided effortlessly across what remained of the grass burned by
the heat of the summer sun. The open space allowed them to make sweeping
circles for once.
He placed his
mouth on her temple, breathing deeply and counting his blessings. “Thank you
for this.”
“I know how you
set such store by dancing. And I like it too. I had forgotten how happy it
makes me.”
“I think the moon
is jealous of your beauty. You don’t know the picture you make. I’m glad you
wore your hair down.” The ends of it brushed across his arm. He inhaled the
lavender fragrance, pleased that she enjoyed using the outdoor bathing closet.
He twirled her
around with one hand and she laughed. The sound made him feel like letting out
a whoop. He brought her back into his arms and she melted against him, so warm
and tantalizing, with just a hint of danger lurking underneath. Strange how a
change of scenery made such a difference in her mood. He closed his eyes and
imagined running his hand over her silky body.
A sudden thought
struck him. He stopped. “I just remembered your feet. You should sit down.”
Tally shook her
head. “No. When you’re holding me, I don’t feel my feet. It’s like I’m dancing
on a fluffy cloud. They’ll be fine for a little while.”
Her admission
sent happiness cartwheeling through him. “Good.”
A hunger rose
inside, more powerful than any he’d ever known. He longed to make her his in
every way. Maybe this was a start.
They danced to
another tune and Clay relished every second with her in his arms, her heart
beating next to his.
Tally glanced up.
“I forgot to ask. How was the friend you went to check on earlier?”
“He’s up and
around. I was glad to see it.” Clay twirled her around and brought her back
against him. “I apologize for my anger. If I’d known what Tarver had done to
you, I’d have put a bullet in his head when I had the chance.”
The breeze lifted
a tendril of hair and dropped it across her face. Clay smoothed it back,
watching her expression darken as it seemed to do each time mention was made of
the man.
“He’ll be back to
even the score, Clay.” Her voice was flat. Resigned.
“Let’s not ruin
tonight. We came to dance.” Clay swung her back into time to the music.
If and when the
bunch did come…they’d find his Remington cocked and loaded.
But for now, he
soaked up the moonlight, the fragrance of the land, and his warrior angel
pressed against him. Ahhh, he could get real spoiled.
After his dance
with Tally ended, each of the men clamored for a turn. That they treated his
wife with respect, like a treasure, made Clay happy. They all dreamed of homes
and family just like he did.
He sat next to
Violet and watched the rapture on her face. Maybe she hadn’t heard music in a
while—if ever.
“Want to dance,
baby girl?” he asked.
“I want to,
but…I’m scared.”
“Of me?”
“Will you hurt
me?” she asked in a small voice.
The air left him
as though someone had driven a fist into his gut. He took her hands. “I will
never, ever cause you any hurt. You know why?”
She shook her
head.
“Because you’re
my little girl now and I love you.”
“Nobody ever
loved me before except Mama Tally. My real daddy said I was the devil’s child.
Are you sure you love me?”
“I’m sure. How
about a dance?”
“Maybe for a
minute. Can my mama see me?”
“Yes, she’s very
close and she’s smiling.”
“Okay.” The child
waited for his touch with a slow smile stretching across her face.
Clay set her on
his boots and held her secure. As he moved to the music, he watched the joy in
the child’s face. Though she never complained, her dark world had to be terrifying
at times. He could take a lesson in courage from her.
Violet raised her
face. “Music makes me feel like Cinderella.”
“Cinderella?”
“Mama tells me
stories, and one of them is about a girl named Cinderella.”
“Oh, I see.” The
corners of Clay’s mouth twitched. “Does this story have anything to do with
cinders?”
“No. It’s about a
girl who meets a handsome prince, but he won’t look at her because she’s very
poor. Her fairy godmother gives her some glass shoes except she loses one. Then
the handsome prince finds the shoe and they get married. Kinda like you, Mr.
Clay. When I was lost, you came and found me.”
“I sure did.” A
lump blocked his throat.
What had come
over the child to be so talkative? Not that he complained. This was the start
he’d hoped for with both Tally and Violet. Maybe things would get easier with
the ice broken.
*******
At a young
age, Linda Broday discovered a love
for storytelling, history, and anything pertaining to the Old West. After years
of writing romance, it’s still tall rugged cowboys that spark her imagination.
A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Linda has won many awards,
including the prestigious National Readers’ Choice Award and the Texas Gold.
She resides in the Texas Panhandle where she’s inspired every day.
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