writers notes at the end.

Chapter 1

It was a hot, dry, dusty day in 1872, unusual weather for June in western Kansas. The passengers in the westbound stagecoach on the way to Dodge City put up with it as best they could. A young woman, Kitty Russell, sighed as she looked out her window at the flat land dotted by a few sparsely spaced hills. It wasn't much to look at. Only the distant rain clouds promised a possible alteration to the landscape, however tiny. Kitty sank back into her forward facing seat and smiled at the older couple seated across from her.

Roy Smith and his wife Annie were holding hands. Roy also had his arm around her. The couple returned Kitty's smile, making her own smile widen even as she turned her attention back to what lay outside her window. She couldn't help but wonder if she would be like the woman when she someday had a husband of her own.

The day crept by slowly. There wasn't much else to do but watch the scenery. She and the Smiths had talked on and off as a diversion from the monotony of the landscape. Roy passed his time reading a book while Annie relieved the boredom with needlework. Kitty found herself nodding off thanks to the rocking of the stage.

A half-hour later Wayne, the driver, rounded a bend in the road. Two outlaws, hidden in the rocks on the far side of the curve, waited for the stage to pass by. As soon as it did, the two apparent cowboys rode out of the rocks their pistols blazing. Wayne brought the horses to a stop rather than try to race by them. As soon as he did the younger of the two shot him.

"Jess, you fool! I said no killing," the older man scolded as he hopped off his horse and the youth did the same.

"I'm sorry, Jake. I-I," Jess began, but his boss gave him a look that made him stop talking and nod his head.

The pistol shots and sudden halting of the stage made Kitty startle awake. Her heart raced like a stampede of wild horses.

"What's going on?" she whispered to the Smiths, but before either could reply the coach door flew open.

Everyone out! Now!" Jake yelled his words perfectly understandable despite half his face, like that of his companion, being behind a bandana with their guns aimed at the three passengers to make sure they obeyed.

Jake grabbed Kitty by the arm for added pressure on the Smiths. "you two put all your money and jewelry into this bag. If ya don't," he barked, pulling the hammer on his six-gun back, "this pretty little lady is going to get it."

Kitty, as if she wasn't scared already, froze when she felt the cold muzzle at the back of her neck. Even if the Smiths complied she felt death was more than a possibility. This wasn't how her life was supposed to be.

"Now wait, there's no need to kill anymore innocent people," Roy stated, taking a step forward.

"Well then, do as you're told," Jake replied holding the gun tighter against Kitty's neck. She swallowed hard and Roy sighed.

Both Roy and Annie obeyed Jake who tossed the now full bag to Jess. However, instead of letting go, he continued to hold onto Kitty.

"Come now, mister, we've done everything you've asked. Now let the lady go!"

When Roy took a step toward him Jake fired at Mr. Smith's feet. "It seems to me, sir, we're the ones calling the shots here," he stated, shuffling his own feet as Jess handed him the reins to his mount.

"Let me go!" Kitty demanded, trying to break free of Jake's hold on her arm. He laughed and swung her up on his horse.

"You're coming with us whether you want to or not," he stated climbing up behind her. With that, the two outlaws spurred their horses and disappeared, heading south.

I would like to thank my beta reader, lostcowgirl I could not have done it with out you.