BOOK ONE

 

The Nevada Kid's bright blue eyes shifted around the train car endlessly, holding his fast gun on the passengers, until his eyes rested briefly on a pretty young girl sitting, facing him only three seats away.  He surveyed her body head to toe, trying to make a mental picture of her, mapping every curve in his mind.  His glance shifted back and forth from her to the crowd and back to her again.  She was lovely--incredibly lovely.  He couldn't keep his eyes off her.  He could feel the crotch of his jeans tighten.  Damn, he thought.  If this girl makes me botch this job, I'm dead.  Cole will kill me!

 

Poly Trainor noticed the bright blue eyes of the young outlaw staring at her from under his half mask.  With a clean shave and a bath, he could be a very handsome young man, she thought.  Too bad he is an outlaw.  He is smiling at me from under his mask.  I can just tell by the sparkle in his eyes.

 

Cole Younger, leader of the outlaw gang, approached Smokey and the Nevada Kid who were chatting in the corner of the camp away from the others.  "Hi, boys.  Is everything okay?"  "Everything's fine, Cole," Nevada replied.  "Do I detect an unhappy note in your voice, Nevada?  What's the matter?  Aint you boys satisfied with your shares from the train robbery?"  "The shares are fine, Cole.  I just wanna tell you I'm leaving in the morning," said Nevada.  "What?  What the hell's goin' on?  Ya don't like riding with the gang?  Is that it?"

 

"That's not it at all, Cole," Nevada lied.  "I got places I want to see before I settle down in one camp.  It's nothing personal.  All you boys have been great to me and I may be back after a while."  "But you can't leave, Nevada.  You're the fastest gun I got."  "Sorry Cole, but my mind is made up."  "I'm going with him Cole," replied Smokey.  "I reckon somebody better watch this young gun's back."