I knew I was in trouble the moment Jane Suleiman walked through the door.

I could almost imagine the public humiliation I would face. Everyone had the image of the perfect woman they wanted to see in every girl but I couldn't help it. I always had that part of me that yearned for freedom.

Even my brother, Greg, who was now a well known Ranger, knew that I yearned for more than what I was offered. I wanted that adrenaline rush that came from chasing bandits across the canyon and enacting justice on behalf of the people.

Unfortunately, that was not how a lady was meant to behave.

The next words she spoke to me were not something I expected.

"Donna Clifton, I have a proposition for you." She said with a smile.

"Proposition?" I asked.

"Yes. I believe you and I could help each other." she replied, moving closer to me. "I have use of someone of your talents and I could help you develop them."

I eyed her suspiciously.

"If you are talking about my knitting then no thanks." I said, trying to feign innocence.

She gave me a knowing smile.

"I own a salon that's for very talented female operatives. We are called the Fair Maidens Association." She began but I cut her off.

"Do I look like a salon girl, lady?" I growled.

"I never said you were. I could care less about the entertainment of rowdy and strange men. As I said, it's for very talented females and we do a little bit of everything." She said with a sly smile as she made herself even more comfortable by sitting on the bench right next to my door. "We are not inclined to society's values on women. I believe men need us. They are just too damn proud to say."

I heard the sound of horse hooves before a gorgeous black manned stallion with a brown and white spotted body galloped up to my porch.

On top of the horse rode the fiercest woman I had ever seen. Her chestnut brown hair fell in waves to her torso and it flew wildly in the wind. She had on a leather brassier and some very suggestive breeches that made me blush at the mere sight of her sexy ensemble.

"This her?" The woman asked as she looked me over head to toe.

There was something that was intimidating about the way she considered me. Maybe it her stormy grey eyes. With my golden locks, blue eyes and my plump cheeks I looked more like an obedient little girl than a rebellious and wild spirit. Next to her, however, I was not remarkable.

"Yes. " Miss Jane said. "Donna, I'd like you to meet Becky Howard. My personal security and my most trusted operative."

"Security detail?" I asked.

I looked between the two women, trying to figure out what game they were playing.

"I don't know, Jane. She's a scrawny little thing." Becky said as she dismounted from her horse.

"I may be small of stature but I assure you I will kick your arse if you insult me." I said.

I hated being ridiculed for my small body. I've beaten up men twice my size without a problem.

"Feisty." Becky said with a grin. "Maybe we've got a fighter after all."

I eyed her as she walked back to her horse. Jane followed her

"I do hope you join us, Donna." Jane said as Becky helped her up onto the horse. "Just tell them you're looking for Red Diamond."

I didn't get a chance to respond before they rode off.

I sat outside my porch thinking about that encounter. Part of me wanted the adventure. However, there was also the possibility that it was all a big trick.

The only way I would know was to go to the salon.

I wore a simple blue dress. I let my hair loose to cover my features.

As Jane had said, I was escorted to her base.

"Good evening. I'm here to see Red Diamond."

I expected to be kicked out and was surprised when they led me down the basement.

Although this section was occupied by women, they were no longer the flirty women from upstairs. These were confident, strong women who could have easily passed off as Rangers.

I passed a girl who was sharpening a large knife. Another had braided hair and chocolate skin that glistened in the light. She was an ethereal goddess loading up her riffle.

There was one playing darts by the other side. With her rugged looks, I would never tell she was a woman within a crowd with her muscles.

It was then that I realized that they were all like me. Free spirits who couldn't give two shits of what society expected from us. I was so overdressed. Why didn't they just tell me to bring my breeches?

"I see you've met my girls." Came Jane's voice from across the room.

I turned to face her with a somewhat goofy smile.

"So it would seem."

"Girls, this is Donna. I'm hoping we make a good impression on her so that she doesn't leave us." Jane said to the other women.

She walked to a cupboard from where she took out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. Pouring the liquor into both, she handed me a glass.

"Welcome to the Fair Maidens Association. We are a group of women who fight to protect the innocent. I would like you to help me do that. I have received news that a group of bandits have hijacked the train that was meant to deliver a large load of wheat and corn that was meant to go to our neighboring town . If the goods don't get to their destination, people will starve. Children will die."

"Your husband's the Mayor and I don't see him approving of any of this."

"What my husband doesn't know can't kill him." Jane said.