The Stepbrothers

By Lisa Day

Samantha Culpepper a young and inexperienced woman, traveling to her finance George’s side, never dreamed she’d become a pawn in his stepbrother’s evil plan of revenge.

Learning more about each stepbrother left her questioning which one was evil and which one was just misguided. Will Samantha figure it out before the events set in motion destroy all of them?

Childhood for Clint wonderful until his mother remarried. The stepbrother George was pure evil. George's only goal was to make sure Clint's life was a living hell. It never occurred to him Clint would grow up. Clint never forgot the misery and pain he suffered at his stepbrother's hand and his every thought focused on revenge. Along comes Samantha young, sweet,innocent & George's bride to be.

The time will come for Clint to find a way to get back at his stepbrother and nothing will be off limits for him either. Cunning and planning get he gets George's fiancee into his hands and alone in a cabin, far away from anywhere

The fates are not with Clint as Samantha Culpepper does not destroy so easily. He did not foresee his heart getting involved and that definitely is not in the plan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Day
• Release date: Sep 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301014040

Lisa Day

Lisa Day grow up in the New Jersey suburbs across from New York City. This made her believe she was sophisticated. Wrong. She was just a girl from Jersey. In junior high right before the English teacher destroyed her love of reading completely she discovered novels for teenage girls. Saved by a love story. As an adult she became a ferocious reader and easily read two, sometimes three books a day. And yes her housework suffered.Many years later now retired and living with her husband. She renewed her love of novels and this time started to write a few of her own.

Book preview

The Stepbrothers

By

Lisa Day

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2010 Lisa Day

This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from the author.

Photo Acknowledgements:

girl on cover:

Image credit: sergeyp / 123RF Stock Photo

men's photos:

123rf.com

Background:

freephotos.com

Table of Contents

Chapter one

Chapter two

Chapter three

Chapter four

Chapter five

Chapter six

Chapter seven

Chapter eight

Chapter nine

Chapter ten

Chapter eleven

Chapter twelve

Chapter thirteen

About the Author

The Stepbrother's

Chapter 1

Piercing sounds reverberated across the station as metal wheels strained and scraped against the railroad tracks while the massive black machine chugged slowly to its final stop. The noise of Engine number 134, built only a year earlier in 1867, was jarring.

The engineer released the engine’s stream pressure which formed white clouds mixed with the black soot laden smoke the engine emitted. This only added to the picture as excited passengers rushed to disembark and others tried to climb aboard to take their places.

No one paid attention to the man leaning against the crates piled near the corner of the railway station's building, which was how he wanted it. Even with a good, healthy stare anyone would assume Clint hawks was just another wrangler fresh in from the last cattle drive.

Geesh, he sure can pick 'em, Clint mumbled under his breath.

Straightening up, he spit and headed into the crowd. He walked toward a young woman who’d just left the train and began walking down the station’s long wooden platform. She was occupied with jostling through the crowd as he came up behind her, picking up his pace and leaning around her to gain her attention.

Miss Culpepper? he said.

She stopped short and Clint mimicked her movement.

Her nervousness showed as her eyes searched the crowd looking for a champion if needed. Finding none, she straightened her back and stared eye to eye with the stranger.

Yes? Do I know you?

No ma'am. But I’d know you anywhere. The boss, I mean Mr. Keever, sent me to fetch ya. He tipped his hat to the woman.

Oh? He’s not meeting me in Madison like he told me?

Ah, no ma’am. His plans changed. Some’n ‘bout rustlers.

Clint’s gaze danced back and forth between her innocent looking eyes and the strands of reddish brown hair that had come loose from her hair restraints to blow freely in the breeze.

A vision of innocence...stay focused.

Pushing the wild strands of hair from her cheek for the third time, she asked, Am I supposed to wait here then?

Ah, no ma'am. I'm supposed to escort you to him.

Her nose lifted and she stood a bit taller. Well ah, what did you say your name was?

Sorry, ma'am. I didn’t. He tipped his hat again with a slight bow. It’s Clint ma'am, Clint Hawks.

Well, Mr. Clint Hawks, my chaperone fell ill during the last meal stop and had to be taken to the doctor there. She’ll join me in a few days if able to. I came on alone since this would be the last stop before I reached Madison. I’m not sure if I should….

Ma’am, you know the boss, he felt he could trust me with you. Don’t you think you should trust his judgment, too? Clint cut her off and holding his hat pitiful like against his belly. With his eyes pleading for her understanding he continued. This is the west, who would protect you better from danger—your chaperone, or a man like me and my gun?

Mr. Hawks, I see your point. My fiance has my full trust. Shall we go?

Not too shabby for a day’s work. No chaperone to get rid of and now my dear stepbrother’s fiance is clinging to my arm. You're a devious skunk Clint Hawks.

He nodded and tipped his hat to the strangers passing by as if they were taking an afternoon stroll together.

Chapter 2

Samantha dismounted her mount with hands rubbing a sore backside from riding for two hours over the rough terrain. Looking around at the area and seeing the isolated cabin in front of her, she wondered and asked, Where is everyone? I thought you said George would be waiting here?

Yes, ma'am, I thought so, too. While I see to the horses, why don’t you go inside and rest? Clint said while holding his hand out to take her horse’s reigns

Once inside the cabin Samantha looking around saw there were signs of occupancy. A sigh of relief escaped from her lips. Finding some matches on the table, she lit the lantern that sat in the middle of the table and a soft glow formed . She shuddered at the eerie shadows that the same light cast in the rest of the room.

Her tired body told her to sit, but Samantha's tender rear said, no. She searched the room and found the coffee pot. There was a water pump and wooden sink in the corner. She took hold of the handle and forced it up and down until water trickled out and filled the pot. Scooping out the coffee grounds from the tin she found on the shelf, Samantha then put it into the pot and set it down. She pulled kindling from the box next to the fireplace and placed it into the fire pit. Setting a match to it, she watched as it roared to life. After feeding the fire more wood, she placed the coffee pot on the rack to cook.

Turning to the sound behind her, Samantha watched Clint unload his arms of his burden with a thud as he dropped everything onto the table.

Put this stuff away, he ordered without glancing at her. He turned and headed back outside.

Hmph, isn't he the bossy one all of a sudden.

Samantha walked over to the table and started sorting through the items and noticed they were mostly food provisions. She took a sliver of wood from the fireplace and lit another lantern on the mantle. Now there was ample light to see the whole room as she unpacked the supplies and began to put them on the shelves over the pump and sink, in no particular order.

Can you cook? a voice behind her asked.

She screamed. The bag of beans in her hands flew through the air and landed at Clint feet.

Laughing, his hand reached for the sack and picked it up.

You startled me, Samantha barked, glaring at him with evil eyes.

At least be happy the bag didn't rip or you'd be picking up beans all night. He tossed the bag back at her, and she reached out quickly to catch it before it landed on the floor again.

Something was wrong. Samantha could feel it.The tingling sensation running up and down her spine told her so. Clint was pleasant enough on the ride here. He even stopped twice for her to stretch her stiff body, since she wasn’t used to riding so far on horseback. Now he seemed abrupt with her and was almost callous when he talked to her. No. He was talking at her.

When do you think George and the others will get here? Should I fix enough for them, too? she asked, trying to sound unaffected by the man's new attitude toward her.

Couldn't say when, but fix enough for just us just in case you aren’t a good cook. Don't need to waste the food.

She knew he was trying to insult her. She just didn't understand why. Uneasiness took hold of her and she couldn’t seem to shake it off causing her to snap back. I can assure you that you won’t starve.

Wordlessly, Clint pushed a wrapped piece of dried meat at her. Then ignoring her as if she wasn’t even in the room, he unbuckled his hostler and hung his hat on the hook next to the door. Sitting at the table, he dissembled his gun and prepared to clean it.

****

Unbeknownst to Samantha, Clint was smiling as her skirt swished in response to her moving about. She’d put her back to him in retaliation to his snub. It took a lot of effort for him not to chuckle aloud when she mumbled about his rude behavior to herself.