The Outlaws: Jess Read Free Page A

his thick, sun-streaked brown hair.
    She knew he was one of the Calder brothers
but found it difficult to reconcile what she knew about the outlaw
brothers with this man who possessed the skills of a trained
doctor. To her knowledge, none of the Calders had ever studied
medicine.
    Meg stifled a groan. She hurt so damn bad
tears sprang to her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. She wanted
Zach. He'd always been there when she needed him.
    Suddenly the man stirred, lifted his head,
and stared at her. His eyes were hazel, she thought, with golden
flecks in their centers. It surprised her that she would notice
facial characteristics when she hurt so badly. His eyes weren't the
only thing she noticed. The man was handsome in a rugged sort of
way. Broad forehead, a bold slash of a nose, wide mouth and full
lips. None of his features were classic, but put together they
seemed to work in ways most women would admire. He was a large man,
sleekly muscled and thoroughly masculine.
    "You're awake."
    His voice held a trace of southern accent.
She liked that but shoved the startling thought aside. She had more
important things to deal with.
    "Why didn't you ride off with your brothers?"
Her voice was little more than a croak. She wet her parched lips
with the tip of her tongue but she had little moisture to
spare.
    "Would you like some water?"
    She nodded weakly. He held the canteen to her
lips.
    "Drink slowly," he cautioned.
    Meg took a sip, then another, letting the
life-giving liquid soothe her throat.
    "That's enough for now. How do you feel?"
    "Like I've taken...a canon ball.
You...didn't...answer my question."
    The Calders aren't my brothers. I tried to
tell you that before but you wouldn't listen. They barged into my
campsite shortly before you arrived. I never saw them before in my
life."
    "I...don't believe...you."
    "Suit yourself, lady. But why would I save
your life if I was one of the Calders?"
    Meg didn't know what to believe. She knew three men
had robbed the bank, and that they had been positively identified
as the Calder brothers. She couldn't think straight. Pain had
reduced her to a mindless lump of pure agony. She'd sort it all out
when she could think coherently.
    "Are you in pain?"
    She nodded weakly.
    "I'll give you some laudanum."
    He lifted her head, held the bottle to her
lips and tipped up the bottle. This time she swallowed without
offering an argument.
    "What's your name?"
    "Meg Lincoln."
    "I'm Jess Gentry."
    Jess Gentry, Meg thought as the laudanum took
effect and her mind shut down. It was a lie. It had to be. The man
was a Calder. She just had to figure out why he possessed medical
skills and why he chose to save her life.
    "Sleep," Jess said, brushing damp curls away
from her flushed face. "You're going to need all the strength you
possess to get you through this."
    "Zach." The name slipped unbidden from her
lips as she slid effortlessly into unconsciousness.
     
    Jess studied Meg's features while she slept.
She couldn't be more than twenty-one or two, he decided. In sleep,
her face was wiped free of pain. Her broad forehead was smooth and
unlined above perfectly arched brows. High cheekbones, full, lush
lips, eyes that slanted upward at the outer corners. All those
characteristics alone might not be attractive, but put together in
a perfect oval with skin as smooth as cream made for a damn
provocative female.
    Someone ought to talk some sense into her,
Jess decided. Did she have a death wish or something? Only a woman
who cared little for life would take up so dangerous a profession.
Looking back on her bold entrance to his campsite, he decided she
must be one cool character with nerves of steel.
    Rising stiffly, Jess stretched and walked
down to the river to wash and refresh himself. Taking off his
shirt, he splashed water over his face, shoulders and torso. He
contemplated taking a full bath but decided to wait until later.
When Meg awoke she'd need nourishment. His first order of business
was to bag a fat