Ana Leigh by The Mackenzies

nodding, the stranger rode away. Zach returned to the buggy.
    “Who was he, Zach?” she asked as they continued on.
    “Just some old-timer asking directions.”
    “And you’re sure he had nothing to do with the shooting.”
    “Yeah, I’m sure,” he said.
    “Are you going to report the incident to the sheriff?”
    Zach snorted. “That would be a waste of words.”
    Feeling indignation rise, she asked, “Are you just going to forget it ever happened?”
    “No, I don’t take lightly to someone trying to bushwhack me.” He slipped into deep concentration and was quiet the rest of the ride.
    “Thank you for the ride, Zach,” she said when he drew up in front of her boardinghouse.
    He smiled. “I’d like to try it again with a happier ending.”
    “I enjoyed it while it lasted. Besides, it’s not every day a girl gets to be shot at.” She grinned.
    His chuckle was engaging. “You’re a good sport, Rosie.”
    The smile eased from his face as he studied her thoughtfully for a long moment. She thought he intended to kiss her again, but to her surprise he reached out a hand and gently ran his knuckles along her cheek. “Watch your back, Rosie,” he said softly. Then he climbed onto the buggy and flicked the reins.
    With confused emotions, Rose stood at the gate and watched the buggy go down the street. Zach MacKenzie was the most appealing and exciting man she had ever known. But why did she suspect there was a lot more to him than he was willing to reveal?

Chapter 8
     
    T he evening meal was in progress when the Tait gang showed up at the restaurant. Seeing there was no empty table, four of them sat down at a table occupied by a couple and their two children. Zach and Joe took seats at the counter.
    “Hey, sister, get your ass over here,” Tait shouted to Rose.
    “As soon as I’m able,” she said, and continued to serve the previous customers.
    Tait continued to grumble expletives loudly above the conversation of the other diners. After a troubled glance at his wife, the man at Tait’s table said, “Excuse me, sir, but I would appreciate your not using that indelicate language in front of my wife and children.”
    Tait picked up a roll from one of the young girl’s plate and took a bite. “That’s too bad. Tell ’em not to listen if it bothers ’em.”
    “It bothers me, sir,” the man persisted.
    “And you bother me, mister.” Tait took another bite of the roll, then smirked at the man. “Come to think of it, you’re spoilin’ my appetite.” He tossed the roll back onto the girl’s plate.
    The woman put a hand on her husband’s arm. “Please, Joseph, let’s leave before there’s any trouble.”
    “Joseph’s got trouble already, lady,” Tait said, “Less he wants to pay for my meal so’s I won’t wipe the floor up with him.”
    The man leaped to his feet. “I am not paying for your meal, you foul-mouthed bully.”
    The two young girls started to cry, and Tait glared at the woman. “Lady, tell ’em gals of yers to stop that wailin’, or I’ll give ’em somethin’ to cry about.”
    “Don’t you dare threaten my family, or I’ll—”
    “You’ll what?” Tail asked ominously. He put a hand on the butt of the pistol at his hip. “Hope yer packin’ iron to back up that threat.”
    “I do not carry a weapon, sir,” Joseph said.
    “Joseph, please let’s get out of here,” his wife pleaded.
    Rose came out of the kitchen carrying a tray in time to see several of the customers hurrying out of the restaurant without finishing their meals. After a quick glance at Tait, it wasn’t difficult for her to guess the reason for their hasty exit.
    She slammed down the tray and strode angrily over to the table. “Mr. Tait, you are disturbing the other customers. Either quiet down or get out of here.”
    “You gonna make me, sister?”
    “If I were a man I certainly would,” she said, with a quick glare in Zach’s direction. “Didn’t Mr. Rayburn warn you about causing a