Josie and Rebecca: The Western Chronicles - Softcover

Miller, B L; Foster, Vada

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0615965253 ISBN 13: 9780615965253

Publisher: Rose Quartz Publishing, 2014

Synopsis

At the center of this story are two women; one a deadly gunslinger bitter from the injustices of her past, the other a gentle dreamer trying to escape the horrors of the present. Their destinies come together one fateful afternoon when the feared outlaw makes the choice to rescue a young woman in trouble. For her part, Josie Hunter considers the brief encounter at an end once the girl is safe, but Rebecca Cameron has other ideas....

About this title

About the Author

BL Miller lives someplace in America and has authored over fifteen Xena: Warrior Princess™ fan fiction stories. Currently, BL is...well, writing more excellent stories.

Vada has been a writer, director, singer and actor since her school days where she was bitten by the acting bug. Over the years, she has been involved in dozens of theatrical productions, both in front of and behind the scenes, and has recently been elected to the Board of Directors of Lambda Players in Long Beach, California. She has worked in a variety of different jobs, including production artist, switchboard operator, and for the past nearly 25 years, as an Operations Planner for a large toy company.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The late afternoon sun set across the wind-ravaged canyon, turning the rock into a brilliant tapestry of orange and brown. The lone rider sat atop her golden mare, her raven hair flowing loose over her shoulders. The wide brim of her black Stetson kept the sunlight from blinding her as she looked around for a safe place to sleep. Spotting a cave off in the distance, she leaned down to whisper into the horse’s ear. "Come on, Phoenix. Just a little bit longer and we’ll rest." Urging the horse up a narrow slope, Josie kept watch over the surrounding area.

It had been only six weeks since her gang had been ambushed while trying to rob a train in Missouri. It was only her quick thinking and fast gun that had kept her alive. She hoped that Henry and Jonah had also escaped; she had seen them take off in separate directions to draw the posse away from her. Deep inside, she knew the ambush had been orchestrated by one of her men in an attempt to kill her, no doubt to collect the bounty on her head. To be sold out for one thousand dollars by one of the men with whom she had been riding for two years stuck in her craw. When they had set out on what was to be their last train robbery, she could not have foreseen that before the day was out she would be riding for her life with a fully armed posse on her heels. Even now, she knew nothing about the fate of her two trusted comrades.

Reaching the cave entrance, Josie dismounted and removed the saddle and saddlebags from Phoenix’s back. She looped the reins loosely over a low branch, allowing the bay horse to crop grass in the dappled shade.

Josie carried her belongings into the cool interior of the cave. Not that there was much in the saddlebags; most of her supplies were left at the main camp when she had embarked on her ill-fated trip to the railway siding. Once settled into the cave with a small fire to keep her warm, Josie took stock of her inventory, starting with her clothes. She had her black boots, complete with silver tips and spurs. Filthy black cotton trousers covered her legs and a thin, black, long-sleeved shirt and brown leather vest covered her upper torso. She wore a black leather belt that was more than just for keeping her pants up; a hidden pocket sewn into the inside concealed a small knife. If her hands were tied behind her back, the pocket was within easy reach. That little secret had saved her life more than once. The vest also had a secret compartment. A dingy gray kerchief was wrapped around her neck. Her black Stetson was resting nearby. These were the only clothes she owned now.

Her weapons were the only other things she still had in her possession. Two Colt Peacemakers were strapped to her legs by bullet-rimmed gun belts crisscrossed over her slender hips. There were less than six cartridges for the Winchester 73 strapped to the saddle. The rest had been expended escaping from the posse. Each boot contained one Bowie knife and she still had her whip, albeit a bit shorter than when it was new.

Rummaging through the saddlebags again, she found no money, no dried meat, nothing she could use. Only a small bottle of ink and a broken pen resided in one pouch, while a fork and spoon took up another. There were no pots or pans, nothing in which to cook a meal. "Not even a piece of jerky," she growled, shoving the saddlebags away. Putting the canteen to her lips, Josie took several sips of the precious water. She wished she had more than one canteen; the days were too hot to ride without draining the flask at least twice. Josie was trying her best to follow the river, knowing that a town would eventually appear. As much as she hated taking the chance of being recognized from the wanted posters, she had no choice but to get more supplies. Using the scratchy saddle blanket to cover herself, Josie laid her head against the saddle and settled in for a light sleep.

About this edition

• Publisher: Rose Quartz Publishing
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0615965253
• ISBN 13: 9780615965253
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 388