Sage and Sand (Rode Hard Anthology)

Bram Caldwell has been working his father's freight and mail business for six years. When he's given a three-day stage route of his own, he's ready for the responsibility. But the open road is dangerous, and when bandits surround the stagecoach and kill his hired gunman, Bram knows he has no way out.

Marshall Maddox isn't here to play the hero. He's been tracking this band of brigands for days. Still, something about Bram Caldwell makes him want to stick around after the shooting has ended. Marshall's intentions aren't exactly noble, but for Bram Caldwell maybe that's just fine.

Story also appears in the Rode Hard Anthology.