Rogue Rapids Read online

  Books by Shirleen Davies

  Historical Western Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Tougher than the Rest, Book One

  Faster than the Rest, Book Two

  Harder than the Rest, Book Three

  Stronger than the Rest, Book Four

  Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five

  Wilder than the Rest, Book Six

  Redemption Mountain

  Redemption’s Edge, Book One

  Wildfire Creek, Book Two

  Sunrise Ridge, Book Three

  Dixie Moon, Book Four

  Survivor Pass, Book Five

  Promise Trail, Book Six

  Deep River, Book Seven

  Courage Canyon, Book Eight

  Forsaken Falls, Book Nine

  Solitude Gorge, Book Ten

  Rogue Rapids, Book Eleven, Coming next in the series!

  MacLarens of Boundary Mountain

  Colin’s Quest, Book One,

  Brodie’s Gamble, Book Two

  Quinn’s Honor, Book Three

  Sam’s Legacy, Book Four

  Heather’s Choice, Book Five

  Nate’s Destiny, Book Six

  Blaine’s Wager, Book Seven

  Fletcher’s Pride, Book Eight, Coming next in the series!

  Contemporary Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Second Summer, Book One

  Hard Landing, Book Two

  One More Day, Book Three

  All Your Nights, Book Four

  Always Love You, Book Five

  Hearts Don’t Lie, Book Six

  No Getting Over You, Book Seven

  ‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Book Eight

  Foolish Heart, Book Nine

  Forever Love, Book Ten, Coming next in the series!

  Peregrine Bay

  Reclaiming Love, Book One, A Novella

  Our Kind of Love, Book Two

  Burnt River

  Shane’s Burden, Book One by Peggy Henderson

  Thorn’s Journey, Book Two by Shirleen Davies

  Aqua’s Achilles, Book Three by Kate Cambridge

  Ashley’s Hope, Book Four by Amelia Adams

  Harpur’s Secret, Book Five by Kay P. Dawson

  Mason’s Rescue, Book Six by Peggy L. Henderson

  Del’s Choice, Book Seven by Shirleen Davies

  Ivy’s Search, Book Eight by Kate Cambridge

  Phoebe’s Fate, Book Nine by Amelia Adams

  Brody’s Shelter, Book Ten by Kay P. Dawson

  Boone’s Surrender, Book Eleven by Shirleen Davies

  Watch for more books in the series!

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  Rogue Rapids

  Redemption Mountain

  Historical Western Romance Series

  SHIRLEEN DAVIES

  Book Eleven in the Redemption Mountain

  Historical Western Romance Series

  Copyright © 2018 by Shirleen Davies

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  For permission requests, contact the publisher.

  Avalanche Ranch Press, LLC

  PO Box 12618

  Prescott, AZ 86304

  Rogue Rapids is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is wholly coincidental.

  Book design and conversions by Joseph Murray at

  3rdplanetpublishing.com

  Cover design by Kim Killion, The Killion Group

  ISBN: 978-1-941786-78-9

  I care about quality, so if you find something in error, please contact me via email at

  [email protected]

  Description

  A painful betrayal and a past he chooses to forget.

  The dream of love and a future she desperately desires.

  Rogue Rapids, Book Eleven, Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Series

  Adam “Mack” Mackey vowed to never return to the family who betrayed him. Needing to forget and start over, the ex-Union officer accepted a deputy job in the Montana Territory. The new start offered satisfaction, purpose, and much needed peace. His nights with the women in Splendor saloons provided companionship. He required nothing else—including love, a notion he firmly rejected. At least that was what he thought until his gaze landed on a newly arrived mail order bride.

  Sylvia Lucero escaped an arranged marriage certain to add to her family’s riches while committing her to a lifetime devoid of love. Stepping from the stage onto the muddy street of Splendor, Montana, her gaze swept the area, halting on a handsome, and she’d soon learn, arrogant lawman—the last person she’d consider marrying.

  Supper. That’s all Mack wants, but the obstinate woman refuses all his invitations—until one evening when he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Their first supper together changes everything.

  Unfortunately, their tentative steps at a relationship face challenges neither anticipate. Threats to local ranchers, the town, and Sylvia strain their fragile connection.

  Will the danger prove too much for two people with different goals? Or will the perils bring them together, forcing a shared strength greater than either imagine?

  Rogue Rapids, book eleven in the Redemption Mountain historical western romance series, is a full-length novel with an HEA and no cliffhanger.

  Visit my website for a list of characters for each series.

  http://www.shirleendavies.com/character-list.html

  Acknowledgements

  Many thanks to the wonderful members of my Reader Groups. Your support, insights, and suggestions are greatly appreciated. And as always, a huge thank you to my husband who is my greatest fan.

  As always, many thanks to my editor, Kim Young, proofreader, Alicia Carmical, Joseph Murray, who is superb at formatting my books for print and electronic versions, and my cover designer, Kim Killion.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Books by Shirleen Davies

  Prologue

  Whiplash, Texas

  January 1868

  From her seat inside the stagecoach, Sylvia Lucero’s gaze darted through each window, hands clutched in her lap. Her heart pounded in a violent rhythm, breath coming in ragged gasps. Closing her eyes, she swallowed her growing fear, trying to calm her
breathing while sending up a prayer. If she missed this chance, another might never come.

  Worrying her bottom lip, Sylvia thought of her father, mother, and two older brothers, Cruz and Dominic. Making the decision to leave them had come after considerable thought. She loved them all so much, but the life she wanted wasn’t going to happen—not with a father who protected her to the point of suffocation.

  As the youngest, and a girl, Sylvia had been pampered and spoiled, seldom being allowed to make any decisions on her own. Even riding the short distance from their ranch to Whiplash required an escort. As a young girl, she’d thought her family’s concern for her endearing. The notion faded as she grew, her body transforming from a gangly girl who loved riding with her brothers to a beautiful young woman who turned heads every Sunday morning.

  Not that she ever noticed. Sylvia spent her time after church speaking with friends, making plans for visits, unaware of the attention from most of the young men.

  Christmas had come like any other. She and her mother shopped, the family attended the church social, and church on Christmas Eve. And, as always, her family opened their spacious home to anyone and everyone on Christmas Day.

  Staring out of the stagecoach, impatient for the stage to leave, she allowed herself to continue reminiscing, hoping it would take her mind off what would happen if her father found her.

  Sylvia closed her eyes, remembering how she’d helped her mother set lavish amounts of food on the simply decorated Christmas table. She’d been happier than she’d ever thought possible. Heading for the library, she stopped to listen, overhearing her father discussing her future with Cruz and Dominic.

  They’d talked of her father’s requirements, not hers, mentioning several names of appropriate suitors. Not a single one was a man she could love. They were scions of other wealthy ranchers, men her father admired and who’d be thrilled to make a union with the powerful Lucero family. Love would play no part in the marriage.

  Her stomach had clenched as she listened. Backing away from the library door, Sylvia’s mind reeled at the future she’d planned for herself being stolen from her.

  Confronting her father would’ve accomplished nothing. She loved him and knew he felt the same. Still, he expected total obedience, an acknowledgment he knew what was best for her.

  Her dreams might be simple, something her father wouldn’t understand, but Sylvia refused to give them up. Later that night, after all the guests had left, she’d begun making plans.

  The jostling of the stagecoach stopped her thoughts. Glancing outside, she let out a breath, allowing herself to relax for the first time in over a week. A mile passed, then another before she ignored the distance and settled back against the seat. Closing her eyes, she thought of her future, the one she’d dreamed about. A future only she could claim.

  Chapter One

  Splendor, Montana Territory

  September 1869

  Adam “Mack” Mackey drew his gun from the holster, pointing it into the air and firing. “Stop!” Cursing when the young cowboy kept running, he chased after him, glad for the full moon. At least the fool hadn’t fired at him.

  Mack didn’t know how the kid stayed on his feet with all the whiskey he’d gulped down at the Dixie Moon. Right now, racing after the miscreant, Mack didn’t care.

  He and his fellow deputy, Caleb Covington, had stopped by the saloon for a couple drinks before going to Suzanne Barnett’s boardinghouse restaurant for supper. They’d ended up in the middle of a dispute between groups from two ranches. It had nothing to do with cards or a woman. The fight began over a young mare one rancher sold to another. A mare one of the cowboys swore had been stolen out from under him.

  Mack and Caleb didn’t care who owned the mare—unless the ranch hand grumbling about his claim made a formal complaint to Gabe Evans, the sheriff. This seemed to be just a group of drunken cowboys having one of many arguments boys got into on a Saturday night.

  Gaining ground, Mack shot into the air once more, slowing his pace when the cowboy tripped on a loose board, sprawling on the ground. Stopping next to him, Mack bent over, placing his hands on his knees and sucking in a deep breath.

  Reaching out, he grabbed the fool by his collar, jerking him up. “What the hell were you thinking, drawing your gun in the saloon and firing toward the bar? You almost hit Paul. Is that what you wanted?”

  Blinking a couple times, the cowboy shook his head, his brows furrowing. “The bartender?”

  Mack let out a disgusted curse. “That’s right.”

  “Weren’t my fault,” the young man sputtered.

  Mack snorted. “It never is.” Spinning the cowboy around, he pushed him into the street. “You’re in luck. We happen to have an empty cell tonight.”

  “Ah, Deputy. I ain’t done nothing wrong.” His words slurred, his body slumped as they moved closer to the jail.

  As they approached the boardwalk on the other side of the street, the door to Petermann’s store opened. Mack slowed his pace, his attention focused on the young woman walking out, locking the door behind her. When she turned, Sylvia Lucero froze, her golden brown eyes locking with his.

  Jerking the cowboy to a stop, Mack slid his gun into its holster, then touched the brim of his hat. “Miss Lucero. You’re working pretty late tonight.”

  She eyed him and the cowboy in his grasp, her chin tilting upward. “I’m keeping the books for Mr. Petermann.” Her words were clipped, strained. “It’s easier to do them after the store is closed.”

  “Guess you’re headed to the boardinghouse then.” Mack jerked the cowboy’s collar.

  “It’s where I live, Deputy. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Sylvia stepped off the boardwalk, brushing past him as if he were a rabid dog she wanted to avoid.

  “I’ll meet you over there. Buy you supper.”

  Without halting, she yelled back at him. “No, thank you, Deputy. I’d prefer to eat alone.”

  Mack snickered at the familiar response. He’d been trying to get the mail order bride to have supper with him for weeks. Each time, she had the same excuse. Any other man would’ve given up, taken her continued refusals personally. He wasn’t that man.

  Shaking his head, a grim smile crossing his lips, Mack dragged the young man into the jail. After a quick explanation to another deputy, Dutch McFarlin, and a nod at Caleb, he secured the cowboy in a cell next to one of his friends, who Caleb had already hauled over from the saloon.

  Removing his hat, Mack wiped a hand across his forehead. “You ready for supper, Caleb?”

  Standing, he grabbed his hat from the desk, settling it on his head. “More than ready. Do you want us to bring something back for you, Dutch?”

  The large, broad-shouldered man ran a hand through his unruly red hair. “Thanks, but I’ve already eaten. Are we going to keep those two overnight then let them go, or are they staying for trial?”

  Mack’s lips twisted into a scowl. “I don’t think we have to keep them around for trial. They need to pay for the damage at the Dixie before they leave town. I’ll be back early tomorrow morning and make sure they do.”

  Stepping outside, Mack and Caleb walked across the street and into Suzanne’s. When he spotted Sylvia, Mack headed straight to a table a couple feet away. Giving her a brief nod as he removed his hat, he chuckled to himself at the way she shifted away from where he sat.

  “Miss Lucero.” Caleb took off his hat, smiling at the young woman before sitting down on the other side of Mack.

  “What can I get you gentlemen tonight?” Tabitha Beekman, another of the mail order brides who’d arrived in town with Sylvia, looked down at them. “We have elk steaks and meatloaf. Both with mashed potatoes and gravy.”

  “Steaks,” both responded at the same time.

  Tabitha smiled. “And coffee?” When they nodded, she moved away, stopping at Sylvia’s table for a moment before walking to the kitchen. Reemerging a couple minutes later, she set the coffee in front of the men. “I’ll be back in a few mi
nutes with your meals.”

  “Are you going to the fall dance, Mack?” Caleb took a sip of his coffee.

  Not answering right away, a flash of mischief passed through him. Shifting in his seat, he leaned toward Sylvia, hearing her soft intake of breath. His voice lowered to a whisper.

  “Miss Lucero, will you be attending the fall dance?” Mack watched Sylvia catch her lower lip between her teeth, then lift her chin.

  “Yes, I will, Deputy Mackey.”

  He leaned closer, his gaze slightly heated. “Are you going with someone special?”

  “Not that it’s your business, but I’m going with Miss Beekman and Miss Bacon.” She named two of the other mail order brides.

  A wide grin tilted up the corners of his mouth. “Good.”

  She shot a look at him. “What?”

  “You’ll be available to dance with me.”

  Glaring at him, she pursed her lips. “You take too much for granted, Deputy.”

  “Probably, Miss Lucero. I’ll see you Saturday night.” He turned back toward Caleb, chuckling when he heard Sylvia release a frustrated breath.

  Sylvia gripped her napkin between her hands, irritation spearing through her, along with the familiar attraction always present when Mack was anywhere near. And lately, he seemed to be everywhere.

  On the days she worked at the general store, he tried to be her first customer, then often stood outside when she left at the end of the day. His constant presence had become annoying, alarming, and thrilling. It galled Sylvia, thinking his attention bordered on endearing.

  Thank goodness she’d heard all about his background from Deborah Chestro, the fourth of the mail order brides. Deborah made it her business to learn about everyone in town, including all eligible bachelors such as Mack. And he was eligible in all ways, except the one mattering the most to Sylvia.

  According to Deborah, he’d found enjoyment at one time or another with every girl at the Wild Rose, the Dixie, and Ruby’s Grand Palace. Every…single…girl. Older, younger, slim, curvy, Mack made no distinction as to what he preferred. And these women didn’t include the three widows in Big Pine he’d courted for brief periods before moving on. Granted, it was assumed he paid for his time with the saloon girls. But three widows and nothing permanent resulting from any of those relationships? What kind of man went through women faster than water being poured from a bucket?