Now, the time has come for Nate, Hoot, and eight other young Rangers to prove their mettle in the most dangerous assignment of all. This newly-formed detachment of Rangers is being sent to flush out the many dangerous outlaw gangs plaguing west Texas—and bring them to swift justice. Not knowing what kind of danger they may encounter with the robbers, rustlers, and killers swarming over the entire Pecos territory, they’ve been told to expect some losses.
Caught in a deadly trap, it looks as if Nate, Hoot, and the other Rangers may not live to fight another day. Will they manage to escape the hail of bullets? With the gut-wrenching deaths of some of this tight-knit group right before his eyes, Nate has some decisions to make. If he survives, will this lethal battle change Nate’s mind about remaining A RANGER FOR LIFE?
EXCERPT
All the men, except for
Wyatt and Marshall, removed any metal items that might jangle and make noise,
giving them away. Their guns were pulled from their holsters and shoved behind
their waistbands, extra cartridges removed from their gunbelts, wrapped in
neckerchiefs, and stuffed in their pockets. Boots, which were much more likely
than stocking feet to snap a dry branch if one should be inadvertently stepped
on, were pulled off and left behind. Once everyone was ready, Hoot waved them
forward. It took eight men a while longer to work through the brush than
Braeden alone had needed, but they made the rim of the hollow without being
detected.
Hoot put his hands around
his mouth and cooed, twice. All eight Rangers jumped to their feet
simultaneously. The rustlers were caught flat-footed, and froze, dumbfounded at
the sudden appearance of men, ready to shoot them down at the slightest
provocation, surrounding them.
“Texas Rangers! Don’t move!”
Hoot ordered. “You’re covered from all sides. Any of you goes for a gun and
you’ll all be cut down where you stand.”
“What’re you botherin’ us
for, Ranger?” one of the men said. “We ain’t stealin’ anybody’s cows. These
here are mavericks.”
“Yeah, mavericks with
somebody’s brand on ’em,” Hoot answered. “I’ve never yet run across a branded
maverick.”
“You’ll
never have the chance to see another one, either, Ranger,” one of the other men
said. He yanked his gun and dropped behind the fire, then pulled the trigger. 