The Renegade's Redemption
Refuge for the OutlawWhen Tex Beckett arrives at Ravena Reid’s farm, he’s eight years too late for the elopement they’d once planned—and it’s far too early to win her forgiveness. He’s seriously wounded, though, and she can’t turn him away, though she knows better than to trust him. Yes, it’s wonderful having help with the farm, and with the orphans she fosters, but if she opens her heart, she’ll get hurt again when he leaves. And Tex always leaves.As a notorious bank robber, Tex is used to danger. Yet reuniting with the only woman he’s ever loved is the riskiest thing he’s ever done. All he wants is to stay with Ravena and the children. But can he build a new start before his past catches up with him?
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Refuge for the Outlaw
When Tex Beckett arrives at Ravena Reidâs farm, heâs eight years too late for the elopement theyâd once plannedâand itâs far too early to win her forgiveness. Heâs seriously wounded, though, and she canât turn him away, though she knows better than to trust him. Yes, itâs wonderful having help with the farm, and with the orphans she fosters, but if she opens her heart, sheâll get hurt again when he leaves. And Tex always leaves.
As a notorious bank robber, Tex is used to danger. Yet reuniting with the only woman heâs ever loved is the riskiest thing heâs ever done. All he wants is to stay with Ravena and the children. But can he build a new start before his past catches up with him?
âTry to get some more rest. You need it.â
âRavena,â Tex called as she reached the door.
She blew out a sigh and turned to face him. âYes?â
âThank you for this. But you said one night, and I wonât stay longer than that.â
Gripping the edges of the tray until they dug into her palms, she willed the words she wanted to say to reach her lips. Yes, Tex, you have to leave. I have enough concerns right now without worrying about you and the fragility of my heart.
Whatever she said, there was no going back after this moment. She didnât understand why heâd come to the farm after all these years. But he was hereâand she had the power to hold him to his word and make him leave, or extend his time.
She shut her eyes for a brief moment, praying for guidance. The smallest seed of peace germinated inside her. A whisper that everything would be all right.
Please help me trust You, God.
Opening her eyes, she peered straight at Tex. âIâm changing our agreement. You may stay until youâre well.â
STACY HENRIE has always had a love for history, fiction and chocolate. She earned her BA in public relations before turning her attentions to raising a family and writing inspirational historical romances. The wife of an entrepreneur husband and a mother of three, Stacy loves to live out history through her fictional characters. In addition to being an author, she is also a reader, a road-trip enthusiast and a novice interior decorator.
And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.
âJohn 8:32
For T & G
A real man is honest, humble and responsibleâas Tex learns to be. And these same qualities are exemplified in the young men you are both becoming.
Contents
Casper, Wyoming, April 1892
Tex Beckett twirled the gold coin back and forth between his fingers, its shiny surface catching the lamplight in the saloon. âMuch obliged, Quincy,â he said with a grin.
The barrel-chested cattle rustler visibly swallowed and inclined his head in somber acquiescence. His skin more closely matched the gray of his trimmed beard now that their poker game had come to an end.
Scooting the rest of his winnings toward himself, Tex picked up the weathered piece of parchment lying on top. âSo this map shows the whereabouts of more gold coins like this one?â
One of Kip Quincyâs partners piped up. âNot just gold but silver ones too.â Tex blew out a whistle of appreciation at the potential wealth.
âShut up, Lester,â Quincy ground out, clearly sore over losing the treasure map after only having it in his possession a few weeks.
âWhen were you planning to head to Texas to search for the loot?â Tex asked.
Quincyâs thunderous look flicked from Lester to Tex. âPlanned to head south this week. What I hadnât planned on was losing tonight.â
In all honesty, Tex hadnât really planned on winning; heâd never gambled before. And he wasnât entirely sure what had compelled him to accept Quincyâs invitation this evening.
Maybe it was the loneliness that had been eating at his gut the last six months. Or maybe it was because he was closer to his home state of Idaho than heâd been in eight years. Or maybe it was staying this past week on the ranch of a family friendly to outlaws and rustlers that had him missing the company of would-be friends. Even the continued company of Quincy and his three henchmen, whoâd also sought refuge at the ranch during Texâs time there, seemed a better substitute for friends than no friends at all. Spending the evening around the card table with them had seemed like a better prospect than spending it in his hotel room, alone.
Whatever the reason, Tex hadnât lost the game and he was grateful. Maybe he had his fatherâs touch. Though more times than Tex could count, that âtouchâ had been as elusive to his father as rain in a drought. His jaw tightened just thinking of how he, his mother and his twin brother, Tate, had been forced to eek by for years, barely scraping together enough to live on, after his father had finally chosen the gambling life over a family life.
