The Trail to the Bounty Hunter’s Heart (Preview)

Chapter One

Ironwood Flats, Montana Territory, 1878

Nora Hale sat by her mother’s bedside, gripping her mother’s hand with all her might. If sheer will was enough to keep her mother alive, Eleanor Hale would be immortal. Nora’s eyes filled with tears, as her mother’s breathing grew weaker.

Eleanor’s skin was a waxy, pale color devoid of any warmth of color. Gone were the days when her cheeks would turn rosy from laughing too hard, or when it turned a golden syrupy brown after spending too much in the sun. Eleanor’s days of color were gone, and it seemed she was taking the color from Nora’s life with her.

The doctor was waiting in the next room. He’d given Nora and Eleanor some space, patting Nora’s shoulder as he walked out with the words, ‘Won’t be long now,’ sending a shiver down her spine.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, Mama,” she whispered through her tears.

The room was stifling hot, causing condensation to drip from the windows. Outside, a fierce wind howled, as if railing against the fact that soon there’d be one less bright light shining in the world. The fire crackled from the grate, sending yet more heat into the room. It pressed down on Nora’s lungs, making it hard to breathe.

Eleanor turned her head to and fro, lips dried and cracking as she murmured something under her breath. A sheen of sweat had formed on her brow. Nora swallowed hard as she dipped a cloth into some water and wiped the sweat away.

“Nora…” Eleanor’s eyes traveled to her daughter. They were unfocused and dazed.
“Right here, Mama,” she assured her quickly, leaning in closer to her mother. “Do you need anything?”

Nora tucked her hair behind her ears. She shared the color with her mother— a light hickory brown. Their eyes and elfin features were also remarkably similar. There were only hints of her father’s looks, and for that she was grateful.

Eleanor reached up with a pale, shaky hand and cupped Nora’s cheek. She held Eleanor’s hand there to make it easier for her mother. The sheer effort of holding up her arm seemed to be too much for Eleanor.

“I’m sorry,” Eleanor murmured, shaking her head slightly.

“There ain’t nothing to be sorry about,” Nora said fiercely, wiping away her tears. “You’ve been the best mother a girl could ask for.”

Even now, in this advanced state of her illness, Eleanor’s hands had charcoal smudges on them. The room was filled with her drawings, taped to the walls, furniture, and floor. Snippets of scenes from their everyday life surrounded them. The milkman’s hands as he delivered their daily order; a butterfly’s wings as it prepared to take off; Nora’s face as she devoured an interesting book.

Eleanor had the gift of taking these moments and immortalizing them on paper. This talent had kept them fed and housed after Nora’s father ran off years ago. Nora could barely remember her father’s face. All she had was a collection of hazy memories and a blurry outline of his features.

The truth was that she didn’t miss her father all that much. From what she could recall, he’d always been on the road— absent even before he’d officially abandoned them. Eleanor had stepped up. She’d been everything Nora ever wanted or needed; both a mother and a father.

Now, Nora was going to be completely on her own.

“I’m so sorry,” Eleanor repeated, shaking her head firmly.

Nora swallowed hard and patted her mother’s hand. The doctor had said Eleanor would become increasingly confused toward the end. It wouldn’t help to contradict her.

She felt engulfed by helplessness. There was nothing she could do to save her mama or make her death a little more comfortable. This was it. They were at the end.

The finality of it all made her want to scream and tear her hair out. She was held together by a string that would snap once her mother closed her eyes for good.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” Nora said, voice choked with tears. “I sure am going to miss you.”

Eleanor shook her head more emphatically, her eyes focused on Nora’s face. “I should have told you… sooner. It’s… not what you think.”

Nora’s brow furrowed in confusion as she leaned closer to her mother. Perhaps she hadn’t heard right.

“Pardon me?” She shifted her chair closer to the bed.

The faded quilt was falling to the ground, so she picked it up and draped it over her mother again. Merely handling the precious blanket was enough to bring a fresh wave of tears to her eyes. She remembered how she and Eleanor sat every night for a month, stitching scraps of fabric together to create the quilt.

“Your father…” Eleanor clenched her eyes shut and swallowed hard.

“Do you need some water?” Nora jumped up and hurried to the pitcher, poured out a generous glass and went back to the bedside.

She didn’t want to talk about her father. She certainly didn’t want to waste her mama’s precious last few moments talking about that coward. He’d left them behind without a backward glance. When she’d gotten older and a little more curious, her mother had shown her the bland goodbye letter he’d left them. In a fit of passion, Nora had torn it up and thrown it into the fire.

She couldn’t even remember the lame excuses he’d used. Only a few key phrases had stuck in her mind. I’m sorry… Please know I still love you… If things were different, I would choose to stay.

“It’s all right, Mama,” Nora assured her. “We don’t need to talk about him.”

“We do!” Eleanor insisted, her voice rasping, eyes nearly bugging out of her head.
Nora’s eyes widened. “What is it? I’m here, I’m listening.”

“Go… find him,” Eleanor said, gripping Nora’s hand tightly. “It’s not… what you think.”
“What is it then?” she asked in confusion.

“Find him,” Eleanor pleaded, fear shading her features. “Let… him… explain.”

With that, Eleanor slumped back into the bed, her eyes fluttering closed.

“I don’t even know what he looks like,” Nora sputtered in confusion. “He left over a decade ago!”
She took a deep, steadying breath. Why was her mother wasting her last moments bringing up such an unsavory topic?

Eleanor pointed a finger at the bedside drawer.

A part of Nora wanted to refuse to open it. However, she couldn’t deny her mama’s last wish, no matter how much she wanted to. She took a deep breath to steel herself, and opened the drawer.

It was stuffed full of clutter, ribbons, a hairbrush clogged with hair, hundreds of half-finished drawings. Nora kept searching until she reached a picture of a striking man.

She hesitated. His eyes pierced through her. He had a strong jawline, and a sharp nose. The man was looking at something just off frame, his jaw clenched as though he was lost in thought. Something deep inside tugged at her. This man was familiar to her in a way no one else had ever been. His blood ran through her veins.

“Go, find him…” Eleanor insisted. “Don’t… be alone.”

Nora pressed her lips into a thin line and nodded. A thousand questions whirled around in her head, and she fought through her confusion to come up with at least one.

“Why did he really leave us, Mama? Did you lie to me? What about the letter? And where do I start looking?”

Eleanor took a deep, shuddering breath as her eyelids fluttered closed. Her hand went limp as she sank into her pillow. Nora inhaled sharply and stood up. She shook her mother’s shoulders.
“Mama? Are you all right? Mama!”

Doctor Rawlins appeared in the doorway as if by magic. His greying moustache twitched as he pursed his lips.

“Her chest is still moving,” Nora said tearfully as she looked back at him. “She’s still breathing. She’s still alive.”

His expression softened as he took her pulse then pressed his stethoscope to her chest. She could tell that he didn’t have good news by the way his brow furrowed.

“Sit by her,” Dr. Rawlins suggested. “Stay with her until the end. It won’t be long now.”

Nora collapsed into the chair and grabbed hold of her mama’s hand. She clung to it until her mother’s breathing came to an end about an hour later. Eleanor left the living with a quiet sigh, as if she was merely falling asleep. All the while, Nora’s world collapsed in on itself as the earth shattered beneath her feet.

***

One Month Later

“I don’t think this is such a good idea,” Dr. Rawlins said with a sigh, shaking his head. “You’re in a very vulnerable position.”

“It’s not like I can stay,” Nora replied with a shrug. She clutched her carpet bag as she stood on the bustling train-station platform. “I sold everything I own.”

“Yes. But you could also use that money to stay in town for a while,” Dr. Rawlins suggested with a frown. “Your friends are concerned about you, Nora.”

Over the past month, Nora had grown closer to the elderly doctor. Since all her time had been devoted to caring for her mother, her other friendships had fallen by the wayside. She didn’t have the energy to explain her mission to everyone else. The only reason Dr. Rawlins knew was because he continued to check up on her after Eleanor died.

“What if this man cons you out of your money?” Rawlins asked, wringing his hands. “I would never forgive myself if I let you go out and get conned.”

“You’re not letting me do anything, Doctor,” Nora pointed out. “This is my choice.”

Her hand went to the folded-up newspaper in her pocket. After her mother’s death, she’d been at a complete loss. Even if she wanted to find her father— and she wasn’t sure about that— she didn’t know where to begin.

Then one day, an answer to her prayers came in the form of a newspaper article about a local bounty hunter. Thankfully, he lived just one town over in Black Ridge. It seemed serendipitous and Nora quickly began selling everything she owned so she could embark on her journey.

“Your mother wasn’t in her right mind, dear,” Dr. Rawlins said, his voice dripping with pity. “She didn’t know what was up and what was down. Don’t make major life decisions based on her dying words. I’m sure if she had been in her right mind, she—”

Nora shook her head slowly. “You weren’t there, Doc. She was as clear as a bell when she was talking to me. Besides, I need to do this. I don’t belong anywhere right now. Perhaps if I find my father, I’ll have a better clue of what to do going forward.”

Rawlins sighed as his shoulders slumped. “You’re still young. You have your whole life ahead of you.”
“Who knows where this path might take me?” Nora said, raising her eyebrows. “I might find my destiny along this road.”

“Destiny,” Dr. Rawlins scoffed and shook his head. “So young.”

The whistle sounded overhead, and they both looked over at the approaching train. Nora’s heart jumped to her throat as she looked back at the doctor.

“Thank you for everything,” she said sincerely. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Dr. Rawlins looked at her with a pained expression. He clearly had more to say about her departure.
“I’ll send word when I’m settled,” Nora promised, offering him a small smile. “I’ll see you again, Doc. And I’ll have an epic tale to tell!”

She waved at him before turning on her heel and marching toward the train.

If she waited one more second, her doubts would swallow her whole and she’d never board the train. Nora had to keep moving to leave the pain of her mother’s death behind.

Chapter Two

Black Ridge, Montana Territory, 1878

Andrew Hart adjusted his horse’s saddle as he looked over his shoulder.

His younger sister, Sophie, was busy brushing her mare. At sixteen, Sophie’s full cheeks still held the vestiges of childhood. Stubborn baby fat held onto her, but she was already turning into a woman. Sometimes he hardly recognized her.

Sophie’s dark hair hung to her waist, shiny and thick. Her eyes were a startling shade of blue, like the sky on a cloudless day. At that moment, her mouth was pursed as she brushed her horse with a huff.
He chewed on the inside of his cheek as he turned back to his horse—Blaze. The horse pawed at the ground and let out a grunt as he pushed his nose forward, wanting nothing more than to run.

“I know, boy,” Andrew muttered. “I know, just give me a moment. Sophie, I think Maple’s had enough brushing now.”

“Oh, so now you think you know my own horse better than me?” She raised her eyebrows and put her hands on her hips. “Can’t I do this one thing without you constantly looking over my shoulder?”

Andrew ran a hand through his hair as he shifted his weight. The resemblance between them was uncanny, even though he had dark brown eyes where hers were blue. Due to their significant age difference — about fourteen years —people always assumed she was his daughter. In many ways, she was like his child. Unfortunately, the days of her accepting him as a surrogate father were becoming few and far between.
She was chafing under his guidance, and he was completely baffled by the sudden change in his usually sweet sister.

“I just meant that if you want to join me on my rounds…” Andrew started, but Sophie merely raised her eyebrows again at him. “All right, never mind. You don’t have to come today.”

Sophie snorted and turned back to Maple. She began brushing the mare from the top again, as if making some kind of point. Maple looked over at Andrew, blinking slowly. Clearly, the horse didn’t mind the added attention.

“Sophie, I know you’re upset,” Andrew said gently, walking up to her, “but this is for your own good. Believe me.”

“Is it?” She whirled around, her eyes like fire. “All my friends are at the creek right now. And where am I? I’m stuck here talking to you.”

Her words hit him square in the chest, but he chose not to take offense. Sophie said many things she didn’t quite mean when she was vexed.

“Those people aren’t your friends, Sophie,” Andrew said kindly. “They don’t treat you very well. Last time, they made you bring all the food then left as soon as it was done. And they’re all supposed to be working today but they’re out swimming instead. I don’t want you being influenced by such an attitude.”
Her cheeks turned bright red as she glared up at him. “I should never have told you about that! It isn’t their fault. I was late—”

“Because you were preparing a picnic for them.”

“And they were tuckered out from playing baseball!” Sophie raised her voice, so she spoke over him. “It’s my fault. And I promised Diana I would be there today to help her find out if Jimmy has feelings for her.”

“I don’t like Diana. She always makes you feel bad about yourself,” Andrew said, shaking his head slowly. “Why can’t you find friends who are nicer to you?”

Sophie stared at him as if he’d sprouted a second head. “Have you looked around lately? It ain’t like I’m spoiled for choice. Either I get these people to like me, or I’ll be a friendless outcast.”

“Sometimes it’s better to be lonely than to spend your time with the wrong people,” he said gently.
She stomped her foot furiously and crossed her arms over her chest. “You just want to trap me here, so you won’t be alone! You don’t have any friends so you’re taking it out on me.”

Andrew ran his hand through his hair as he tried to stamp down on his mounting frustration. “You’re not going to the creek today and that’s final. Keep talking to me like this and you can say goodbye to attending the barn dance next week.”

“You can’t do that!” Sophie protested. “You promised that if I did all my chores then I could go. You already gave your permission.”

“Yes, but that was before you developed an attitude problem,” he said, wagging his finger at her.
“I’ll just go anyway,” she threatened, narrowing her eyes at him. “You can’t keep me locked up here forever.”

“You can try!” Andrew put his hands on his hips as he gave her a stern look. “I’m not afraid to show up and drag you out of there myself. And perhaps I’ll tell your so-called friends exactly what I think of them.”

Sophie hugged herself as she stepped backward, shaking her head at him. “You’re not my father! Quit acting like it.”

With that, she turned on her heel and stomped back into the house. Andrew’s shoulders slumped as he looked back at Blaze. The horse was eyeing him critically.

Andrew shook his head.

“Don’t you start with me. You saw how impossible she was being.” He gestured in the direction that Sophie had stormed off. “I’m just looking out for her. Heaven knows no one else will.”
Blaze snorted as he tossed his head and pawed at the ground.

Shame flooded through Andrew as he looked toward the house. The sound of a door slamming made it to his ears.

Maybe I made the wrong decision by staying in Black Ridge.

The town was so full of reminders of their departed parents. And there was no real future for Sophie in town. She seemed to be drifting aimlessly through life. The only problem was that the more he tried to direct her, the further he pushed her away.

***

Andrew stewed in his frustration all the way to the general store.

Black Ridge was a small, one-horse town where everyone knew everyone’s business. It was nestled at the foot of jagged cliffs that were the inspiration for the town’s name. People who lived in Black Ridge contended with the wildest elements that the Montana Territory had to offer, causing them to develop a thick shell around their personalities.

The ridge cast long shadows over the town, and they only got about five hours of solid sunlight at the best of times. Snow was still clinging to the highest peaks despite spring’s arrival. The thaw had left behind muddied streets, while determined wildflowers sprung up in patches here and there.

Black Ridge’s main street was lined with wooden buildings that had all seen better days. A blacksmith’s forge welcomed people with a burst of soot and smoke. Next to it was the saloon — The Rusty Spur. The doors creaked on their hinges as people passed through, laughing and talking, and sometimes the sound of banjo music drifted out into the street.

Andrew climbed off Blaze’s back and led him along the plank boardwalks that ran alongside the businesses.

The sheriff’s office was nearby: a dilapidated, abandoned building with a single jail cell on the back. Andrew’s heart clenched, and he looked away.

He’d grown up playing on the steps of that particular building, learning the ropes from his father—until all that was taken away from him on one summer’s day.

Ever since his father’s death, the law was more of a suggestion than a rule in Black Ridge. Andrew did his best to keep him and Sophie out of trouble, and that already took all his strength.

Just beyond the town lay the Black Ridge River which cut through the nearby valley. At this time of the year, its waters would be swollen from the snowmelt. Crossing the river was a fool’s errand, as the only bridge would be slick and treacherous…if it wasn’t already submerged.

As a result, the miners who worked in the open prairie beyond the river didn’t make many trips to town. The plains were also dotted by homesteads and ranches. Due to the flooded river, many of the people who relied on Black Ridge for supplies couldn’t make their trips.

However, as soon as the bridge was safe enough to cross, there would be an influx of consumers ready to spend their hard-earned cash. Unfortunately, they’d be bringing an unsavory element with them, whether they meant to or not.

These thoughts plagued Andrew as he made his way to the general store. He hitched Blaze out front and walked inside, breathing in the familiar smell of leather, flour, and lantern oil.

“Well, if it ain’t my favorite customer,” Sam Miller said with a friendly smile.

Sam was the owner of the general store and about four years younger than Andrew. When they’d been children, such an age gap had mattered greatly. However, the older they got the more it was bridged by their common interests and Sam’s personable nature.

“You say that to all your customers,” Andrew grumbled good-naturedly.

“Not that you can prove it.” Sam wagged a finger at Andrew. “Anyhow, are you managing all right? How’s that sister of yours?” Andrew scowled and shook his head as he made his way to the counter.

Before Sam could ask what was the matter, the back door opened a voice called out:

“Why, Andrew Hart, it’s been much too long. Have you been avoiding us?”

“I’d never dream of it,” Andrew assured Rose, Sam’s wife. “I’m sorry; things have just been difficult.”
“Is the bounty hunting getting you down?” Rose asked, walking up behind her husband and rubbing his back.

“Nah, it seems his sister’s giving him grey hairs,” Sam said helpfully.

“Oh dear.” Rose shook her head. “Let’s hear it. What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything,” Andrew said in frustration. “Lately she’s been irate, snapping over every little thing and yelling at me for no good reason.”

“That certainly doesn’t sound like Soph,” Rose said with a frown. “She’s such a sweet girl. And you really have no idea why she’s upset?”

Andrew shifted his weight and looked out the window.

“I think there’s more to the story,” Sam noted, raising his eyebrows.

“She’s fallen in with a bad crowd,” Andrew admitted. “And it’s up to me to keep her from making silly decisions.”

“Andrew…” Rose shook her head disapprovingly. “Sophie’s not a little girl anymore. She’s growing up.
But you need to give her room to grow, otherwise you’ll be doing more harm than good.”

“You don’t know Sophie like I do.” Andrew sighed. “She’s far too naïve for her own good. People take advantage of her and she just lets them.”

“Sure, but who didn’t make a few mistakes at her age?” Rose pointed out. “Let her learn her lessons.

You can’t protect her from everything. Look, why don’t you give her the benefit of the doubt until she does something to prove you wrong? Give her some responsibility, perhaps. Let her prove herself to you.”

Andrew grimaced. “Sophie…responsibility? Yeah, right. She’s still a kid, and needs someone looking out for her, even if she ain’t willing to admit it no more.”

Rose and Sam exchanged a knowing look, but Andrew raised his chin defiantly. They didn’t know what it was like in his shoes. He had to do everything in his power to keep Sophie safe. When their father died, he became the man of the house. That meant that he had to take on certain serious responsibilities.

Andrew took his duties very seriously. His father’s sheriff badge was always in his pocket, it’s weight reminding him of everything he carried on his shoulders. If anything happened to Sophie, it would be his fault. He’d never forgive himself. Rose and Sam meant well, but they had no clue what they were talking about. They had no clue what was at stake here.

Chapter Three

Black Ridge, Montana Territory, 1878

Nora climbed off the train with shaky legs. She’d never traveled much and hoped that this would be the last journey she’d have to take in a while. Trains moved too fast and jerked too much for her liking. She wobbled off the train platform, resisting the urge to kiss the ground.

“I hate everything,” she groaned as a wave of nausea hit her.

“You can’t hate everything, pretty lady,” an older man cajoled, waggling his eyebrows at her, “you’re far too young!”

He looked to be middle-aged, with a pot-belly and a balding head. The mere sight of him caused her skin to crawl.

Nora glared at him as she tried to get her bearings. “Andrew Hart. Do you know him?”

The man frowned as he put his hands on his hips. “I might. I might not. What do I get if I tell you I do?”

She scoffed, rolled her eyes and picked up her bag. Nora didn’t have any time to waste on people who couldn’t or wouldn’t help her. Black Ridge lay in front of her, swathed in shadows. She suppressed a shudder as she walked into the unknown.

The moment Nora had stepped foot into the town, she’d been overcome with longing for Ironwood Flat. She missed the familiarity and friendly faces. Here, people crowded onto the sidewalks, pushing past each other as they avoided the muddy streets below.

She held her carpet bag to her chest and looked around. The town was full of people, almost bursting at the seams. Groups of men, rugged and dirty, dotted the road, laughing as they talked much too loudly.
It was a complete assault on her senses. Nora had no idea where she was going. The thought filled her with terror as she attempted to look like she knew exactly where she was going.

Finally, she spotted a sign indicating she was passing the general store. If there was one place that was sure to have information for her, it was the general store. Everyone passed through there at some point, and no matter how reclusive a person was, they still had to deal with the general store eventually.

Nora pushed the door open and immediately sighed in relief as she stepped out of the noisy, busy street. People were crammed into the aisles, but they were all focusing on getting their wares and didn’t have much time for talking it seemed.

“Howdy.” A woman with strawberry blonde hair and a smattering of freckles on her nose appeared behind the counter, smiling broadly at Nora. “You must be new in town.”

“How can you tell?” Nora gestured at the busy streets.

“There aren’t many in town who’d walk around with a big bag like that,” she replied, looking pointedly at Nora’s carpet bag.

Nora’s cheeks burned as she looked down at her bag. So much for looking like she knew where she was going. “I’m Nora.”

“Rose,” the woman said, her smile growing. “I own this store with my husband, Sam. He’s around here somewhere, helping Farmer Browning look for more seeds.”

Nora nodded and approached the counter.

“What brings you to Black Ridge, Nora?” Rose tilted her head curiously.

Nora swallowed hard and squared her shoulders. “I’m here looking for the bounty hunter, Andrew Hart. Do you know him?”

Rose’s eyes widened as she raised her eyebrows. “Andrew Hart?”

The woman’s reaction wasn’t very heartening. Nora’s stomach dropped as she looked around and rubbed her arm. The enormity of what she’d done crashed over her. She didn’t have a place to sleep that night. No one besides Dr. Rawlins knew where she was, and no one could help if she ran into any trouble. She was well and truly on her own.

A fresh wave of grief hit her, and she fought to keep tears from her eyes. “Yes.”

“I know him well,” Rose said with a comforting smile, as if guessing what was bothering Nora. “He’s a good man. I’m assuming that you want to hire him to find someone for you?”

Nora swallowed hard and nodded.

“I don’t know if he’s taking on new clients at the moment,” Rose said gently. “He just finished a big project and he’s… he’s got a lot on his plate. I don’t know if he’s going to be able to help you, honey.”

Her tears stung the backs of her eyes, but Nora tilted her head upward, blinking them away. She wasn’t going to cry now.

No crying!

“Yeah, well, then he’s going to have to make some room on that plate of his,” Nora said simply. “I need his help and there’s no one else I can turn to.”

Rose winced and rubbed the back of her neck. “All right, all right. I’ll point you in his direction. Like I said, he’s a lovely man. Just be careful how you approach him, okay?”

“What do you mean?” Nora leaned against the counter.

“Andrew’s got a whole lot of skill when it comes to tracking,” Rose explained. “It’s what makes him such a good bounty hunter. People come from all over to ask for his help. And once he takes on a job, he’s with you until it’s done. There’s no one more loyal than Andrew.”

“That doesn’t sound bad at all.” Nora stood a little straighter, heartened by Rose’s words.

“He puts everything he has into every job he takes,” Rose continued, a little warily. “That’s why it takes him so long to recover after a job. If he takes you on as a client, know that it will take everything out of him. He’ll fight for you until he can’t anymore.”

Warmth spread through Nora’s chest. “I’m still not seeing any bad here.”

“He knows it’s going to take everything out of him too,” Rose said. “That’s why it’s going to take a whole lot of convincing to get him to take the job.”

Nora squared her shoulders in determination. She would do whatever it took to convince Andrew Hart to help her find her father.

***

Nora made her way to the ranch that Rose directed her to. Her palms were sweaty, and anxiety raced through her. The enormity of what she was attempting weighed down on her. She wrung her hands as she walked, forcing herself to take one step after another. Failure simply wasn’t an option.

The midday sun beat down on her, but she barely noticed the sweat that dripped down her back. She looked around, allowing her eyes to slide over the rocky landscape without taking too much in.

There was so much space all around her, making her feel small and insignificant. If she got lost here, no one would know what happened to her unless she miraculously found her way back. It was unnerving to be so untethered to the world around oneself.

It wasn’t long before she made it to the ranch. She faced a small property with a farmhouse, barn, and a vegetable garden in the back. It looked innocuous enough. She certainly hadn’t expected the house of a famous bounty hunter to look so… mundane.

A man stood in the front yard, brushing down a horse. She froze at the gate, watching as he worked. He was more handsome than she expected. His rugged demeanor hinted at a life of hard work. Dark brown hair fell in front of his eyes, and he pushed it away every so often. His dark-brown eyes seemed almost soft, reminding her of hot cocoa on a winter’s day. The corner of his mouth turned upward as he stroked the horse’s neck.

Disappointment crashed through her. She needed someone rough and intimidating to help her scour the dregs of society in search of her father. As if sensing her thoughts, the man looked up, raising his eyebrows at her.

The effect was that his expression went from open and peaceful to guarded. She watched the change with a sense of satisfaction. He seemed much more intimidating now.

“Excuse me, are you Andrew Hart?” she asked, lifting the latch on the gate and hurrying through. “My name’s Nora Hale, and I have a job for you.”

“A job?” he asked, raising his eyebrows as he leaned on the horse’s back.

Since he didn’t bother to confirm whether he was the man she was looking for, she simply assumed that she was indeed talking to Andrew.

“Yes.” Nora squared her shoulders. “I need your help finding my father. He left… or rather, he went missing several years ago, and I need your skills as a bounty hunter to find him again.”

Andrew raised his eyebrows. They were thick and bushy, adding to the strength of his features. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’m not taking on any new cases at present.”

“If you could just hear me out, I’m sure that we could come to an agreement,” Nora said, shaking her head lightly. “I have a picture of him that will help us recognize him. And I know where he was last seen and who he might have been traveling with, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find him.”
“You said he went missing a few years ago?”

Nora nodded and bit the inside of her cheek.

“Then I’m afraid it won’t be as simple as you’re hoping,” he said with a shrug. “Besides, the difficulty of the task isn’t why I’m not going to take on your job. I’m not taking on any jobs at present.”

“I can pay you.” She took a few bills from her pocket and waved them at him. “I don’t mind. It’s a decent amount. Please, I really need your help. Please.”

Andrew sighed and shook his head. His expression softened with something akin to pity, leaving a bad taste in her mouth. “Look, I hate to say it, but in these cases it’s nearly impossible to find the missing person. Mostly because they simply don’t want to be found.”

“I always thought that to be true,” Nora admitted, her voice ragged with emotion. “Trust me, I gave up on hoping he’d return a long time ago. Then my mother got very sick. She told me that there was more to the story. I spent most of my life judging my father only to find out that he might be in terrible danger. Please, I need to find him.”

He winced and ran a hand through his hair. “I wish I could help you, but I promised to focus more energy and time on my sister after my last job. She’s in a vulnerable state right now, and I can’t shirk my responsibilities. I sympathize with your situation because we’re in similar boats. I’m all my sister has left.”

“Bring her with us,” Nora blurted out. “I don’t mind. As long as we find him.”

Andrew’s brow furrowed in frustration. “You want me to bring my sister along on a dangerous mission? I can’t help you with that. I can make you a list of bounty hunters who might be able to take the job. They’re quite far away, but they’re all good.”

“You don’t understand. I need to start now,” Nora insisted. “He’s all I have left. And the longer I wait, the harder it will be to find him.”

“No matter when you start, it’s going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack,” Andrew pointed out. “I’m sorry, but no. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

He went back to brushing his horse, averting his eyes away from her. Nora’s world fell out beneath her. She gripped the gate as her knees buckled.

“Nora?” His voice came to her as if from a great distance.

She shook her head at him and turned to walk away, shaking her head lightly. Unfortunately, the moment she let go of the gate, the world tilted sideways, and she crashed to the ground. The world faded to black despite her best efforts to stay conscious.