Two sisters. Two brothers. Two Outlaws. All headed for Justice.
Jess Thomas is being tracked by two outlaws–one is a man, and one is a beast.
When Jess uncovers new evidence concerning their parents’ deaths, the Thomas sisters gain the attention of a very dangerous man. And when a cougar terrorizes Justice, Montana, Jess risks her life to save those she loves.
Cole McBride respects Jess’s courage, but he fears someday she will take one risk too many.
Sly Thomas is adjusting to her new responsibilities as guardian of her two sisters. But just as she begins to hope for the future, her blossoming relationship with Deputy Nick McBride is threatened.
October Outlaw is the second book in the Justice, Montana series. Although the characters are late teens/early twenties, most of my readers are women between 25-50. They especially enjoy the small town community of Justice.
One of my readers says, "Combine all the excitement with a strong thread of Christian faith, love, and trust and the result is a book hard to put down. This story is full of suspense, interesting and relatable characters, and well developed and believable relationships between the people of Justice, Montana. I can't wait for book three!"
When four year old Joey becomes lost in the woods, Jess (once again) bends the rules and goes to look for him on her own. Knowing a cougar is also stalking the woods is a strong motivator for Jess, even as she realizes her own life is at risk.
I lean my head back and close my eyes just as my phone rings. I reach in my backpack to pull it out.
“This is Jess.”
“Hi Jess, this is Jacquie. Amber wanted to let Maggie know she’ll wash her hoodie and bring it to church with her tomorrow.”
“I’m confused.” I frown. “Maggie is with you. I saw her when you pulled out of the parking lot.”.
There is silence for a beat before Jacquie says, “No, Amber and Tiffany are the only girls with me. At lunch, Maggie and Rachel told me that the plan was for them to ride home with you
and Cole. Amber borrowed Maggie’s hoodie.”
Jacquie’s voice quivers a little, which makes my stomach wobble in response.
I press the speaker option on my phone and say, clearly, “Maggie and Rachel are not in the car with you?”
“No.” Jacquie takes a deep breath before she says, “They must still be at Bannack.”
Cole doesn’t even glance at me but slows the truck and swings onto a broad patch of open grass between the trees. Seconds later, the truck turns back up the mountain, accelerating as much as Cole dares.
“Jacquie, we are five minutes from Bannack and already on our way back,” I say.
My mind races with thoughts of Maggie and Rachel all alone in the deserted town. The caretakers left when we did.
My heart is pounding so loudly I can barely hear Jacquie when she says, “I
feel terrible about this.”
Cole speaks up. “They’re probably having so much fun they don’t even know they’re alone. We’ll have them in a few minutes, don’t worry.”
“This is my responsibility,” Jacquie says. “I should have confirmed the plans with you and not assumed they would remember to tell you about the change. I’m so sorry.”
I hurry to reassure her. “Jacquie, don’t worry. It’s a mix-up that’s easily fixed. I see the church steeple now. We’ll be there in a minute.”
Gravel crunches under the tires as Cole swings the truck into the lot we left moments earlier.
I reassure Jacquie one more time and end the call. Cole parks the truck, and we jump out, racing toward the old schoolhouse at the far end of the town.
Now that the laughing kids are gone, Bannack earns the designation of ghost town.
Roxie is barking, enjoying the race, but she stops and growls as we approach the schoolhouse.
Cole reaches out to grasp my arm and slows my steps. “Wait.”
Roxie’s growls deepen, and Cole says, “Good girl, Roxie. Now
quiet.” Roxie continues to pace, but her growls are more of a low
rumble.
Cole puts me behind him as he climbs the wooden steps to the schoolhouse. The door is ajar, and he nudges it so we can slip inside.
At first, I don’t understand what I’m seeing. Maggie and Rachel are standing on the platform that holds the teacher’s big wooden desk. Maggie’s neat handwriting covers the blackboard
where she has spelled out her name in cursive. Below is an extensive spelling list. Maggie is a word nerd.
On the other end of the blackboard are basic addition and subtraction problems written in what I assume is Rachel’s handwriting. I can imagine the girls taking turns being the schoolmarm and student. But the expressions on their faces don’t reflect enjoyment in their game.
Rachel’s left arm is white where Maggie is gripping it. In her other hand, Rachel holds a long pointer, waving it back and forth like she’s directing a choir. But that’s not what’s happening.
Instead, Rachel is shaking, and the pointer is along for the ride. Maggie is holding an oversized eraser, raised as if she’s about to launch it at something.
My eyes follow their gazes, and my heart stops.
In the corner, about ten feet from the girls, stands a cougar.
A one-eyed cougar. Outlaw.