Page 159 of New Storm Rising
“They are criminals with a combined bounty of nearly half a million dollars on their heads, Mrs Ambrose.”
“I’ll take that as a yes, Sir.”
Glancing out the window, I saw an arid landscape racing by. It seemed we were once more heading out of the swamp and into the desert. From above, the sun was burning down on us. I never really thought I would end up missing the nice, dreary weather back in jolly old England.
“So…what are we going to do?”
“There is only one thing we can do. We travel on.” Cupping my cheek in one hand, he moved his other down to a bulge under his tailcoat. “Which is not to say we lower our guard.”
“Sounds good, Sir.” One corner of my mouth quirked up. “Now…is that a revolver under your tailcoat, or are you happy to see me?”
His deep, dark, sea-coloured eyes bored into me as he leaned forward. “Want to find out, Mrs Ambrose?”
Unfortunately, before I had a chance to reply, a voice called from outside.
“Mr Ambrose, Sir! The animals are getting exhausted. What should we do, Sir?”
Mr Ambrose froze, stroking his chin. “Is there a town nearby?”
“Yes. According to the map, there should be a town near a defunct cavalry fort around twenty miles northeast from here.”
“Then head there. We should be able to acquire new horses there.”
“As you command, Sir. Yee-ha!”
The whip cracked, and the coach lurched, surging forward. I clutched my stomach. Oh joy!
Another session of admiring the landscape outside the window later, I resurfaced from vomitland just in time to see a small scattering of houses approach in the distance, overshadowed by the mouldy old cavalry fort on a small hill behind it. Finally! Finally, I would get out of this hellish vehicle!
“All right!” Mr Ambrose announced, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Listen up, people! We won’t be wasting much time here. We’ll stay just long enough to switch horses, and then it’s into the coach again, eastwards!”
I have such a wonderful, caring husband.
A few minutes later, the coach rolled into town and came to a stop with a crunch of dirt. Pushing open the door, Mr Ambrose stepped down onto the road, ignoring the stares of the townspeople, who probably hadn’t seen a stranger in months, let alone one like him.
“Shall we, Mrs Ambrose?” Extending his arm towards me, he cocked his head.
With a sigh, I took his arm. I might as well enjoy my reprieve while it lasted.
Not long after, we stepped into a dingy little stable. At the side stood a few skeletal horses that looked ready to be put out to pasture, or in some cases ready to be buried six feet under it. Before I could voice my doubts to my dear husband, a man bustled out from behind a haystack.
“Welcome, Sir and Ma’am! Welcome! What can I do for ya?”
With one swift glance, Mr Ambrose surveyed the animals in the vicinity. “Give us the chea—”
I slammed my foot down on his toes.
“—hssss! Fastest animals you have.”
The stable owner blinked, confused. “The cheese fastest animals?”
A muscle in Mr Ambrose’s cheek twitched. “The cheapestandfastest.”
Damn the man! He does remember that we’re being chased by bloodthirsty desperados, right?Sending a stare his way, I cocked an eyebrow. “Those two don’t usually go together.”
“Actually…” The stable owner cleared his throat. “That might not actually be the case.”
Huh?
