Stolen Dreams (The Rivers Brothers Book 2)

meet Howe, who tosses his rifle to him. Sheriff Howe shoots his pistol at Del Pozo while Chase catches the Winchester rifle and turns. The fleeing horse is winged in the flank by the shot from the Sheriff and stumbles, tossing the bandit heavily to the ground. Del Pozo, spitting dirt and rocks from his fall, rushes headlong to a second horse that stands saddled nearby.
"For God's sake, Del Pozo, throw down your pistol!" Chase yells from down the street. "There's been enough shooting!"
Ignoring the plea, Del Pozo continues charging toward freedom. Chase smoothly shoulders the Winchester, levering a round into the chamber, aims, and pulls the trigger. The bullet hits Del Pozo with a sharp crack and tears through his left shoulder.
Wheezing, he staggers to his knees, coughing up bits of lung and blood. The badly wounded outlaw turns, regaining his feet and rushes his enemies. Del Pozo runs headlong with a crazed look in his eyes, straight for them, shooting wildly at the two lawmen.
Sheriff Howe shoots at Del Pozo while diving for cover and misses, sending chunks of dirt flying.
"Enough," Chase stands his ground and calmly chambers another round before taking careful aim. Del Pozo's shots can be heard ricocheting as they hit around the Marshal. At more than a hundred yards from his target, Chase fires. The spinning bullet makes a long, low arc, smacking into Del Pozo's forehead just above the eyes, spraying blood and bone from the back of his head. The bandit falls in a bloody heap on the hard dirt street.
No one moves for a moment as the smoke clears. “That was a hell of a shot, Marshal!" Someone in the crowd calls.
Chase stomps over to the Sheriff.
"Sorry about the mess. This one fell into my lap. All I wanted was a drink?" He reaches down and helps the Sheriff to his feet.
“No problem. You want to claim the reward?”
Chase looks at the crumpled body down the street and shakes his head, “Keep it." Chase runs a trembling hand through his long brown hair shoving his hat back on.
“Chase!” Addie shouts from behind. Sheriff Howe walks away to begin the cleanup.
“Not now, Addie.” Exhaustion beats at him and a headache pounds in the back of his eyes. Her hand on his arm turns him. His eye twitches when she speaks to him again, in a grating, screechy voice.
"What the hell was that?" She glares up at him, "You were gonna let him shoot me?"
"Addie, you're talking nonsense," Chase explains.
"You hesitated, Chase!" she jabs a finger into his shoulder.
Silver eyes glance down at her, and he's startled for a moment by the blood staining her shoulder and face. "Addie, you should go get cleaned up."
“That’s it? That’s all you have to say?” Addie’s fury is picking up steam. “What kind of monster are you that you would have to think about my life, over some bandits.”
“Well, Addie, I would say I’m the monster that just saved your well-used ass.” Turning to walk back to the Stables he doesn’t react to her swift inhale.
Before he can take two steps, she looks at him and softly whispers, “Chase, you’ve changed. There was a time when we were friends. You stay away from me.” Addie spins and races home to wash off the blood of the dead outlaw.
Chase thinks about what Addie said as he rides out of town. Part of him knows that she's right. War does that to a man. Compassion, empathy, and most human emotions seem to be buried deep. He wonders what it'll take to bring about the rebirth of his soul.

Chapter 2
England
Bronnah steps out of the nursery and walks quickly in the direction of the dormitories. It's late, and she put in a ten-hour day caring for the children in the infirmary. She takes the stairwell in the brick building. The dorm housing the Sisters of Charity students sits just below the children's floor. Mostly for ease of access. Her stomach growls, reminding her that she hasn't eaten since breakfast. Just as she reaches for the door handle, it opens, and she is forced to jump back to avoid being struck. A deep male laugh sends chills of dread through her body.
This workhouse is home to the most wretched souls in England. Surprisingly enough, many who end up as inmates are highly educated, including doctors, and lawyers. Tall, dark, and handsome, Davey O’Connell was a lawyer until he gambled away his fortune and job. His sneer causes her stomach to cramp as his eyes trail up and down her body.
“Davey, why are ya on this side of the dorms?” Bronnah snaps. The lilt of Ireland should be warning enough. The Sisters made her work hard for years to hide it, but it sneaks out when she’s upset.
"That's no way to greet your future husband, Bronnah. Didn't you miss me?" The stench of ale and desperation invades her nostrils, and she tries to back away to scoot around him. Davey clamps onto her upper arm with a grip of steel and shoves her hard against the rough brick wall.
Bronnah's eyes fly open wide in shock. "Let go of me, Davey. I've told you, I will never marry you!"
"The winds of change are blowing, Bronnah. Once you're mine, I'm going to fill your fairy eyes with so much pleasure. I've dreamt of you." He grinds his body up against her and whispers, "I've fantasized about tasting your juicy lips. Do you dream of me too?" He lowers his head to kiss her and Bronnah's patience snaps.
His nose cracks the moment her forehead strikes it, and blood erupts down his face. Davey releases her and stumbles backward with a screech of pain and outrage, giving her just enough space to slam her knee up into his balls. Davey falls to