Shotgun Bride (12 page)

“What if this isn’t over? You tell me Sally just didn’t want to marry you. That doesn’t explain why someone tried to kill me, why I was singled out to be robbed. Why the stagecoach I rode on was attacked. And why did the Utes come after me?”

Her words tumbled out in a jumble but she couldn’t keep the rising panic out of her voice. She really didn’t want to die. Mike may be after her land but he was the only one available and willing to listen.

Mike crossed the room and with gentle arms picked her up, sat on the bed and settled her on his lap.

“Calm down, Kathleen. Panic gets you nowhere.”

“But—”

He put a finger on her lips. “We’ll figure it out but first you need to take a deep breath and relax.”

She buried her face in his chest. He stroked her hair and with fingers light as feathers, caressed her back.

Kathleen took several slow breaths and her heart ceased its assault on her ribs.

“That’s better.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t need to drag you into my problems.”

“Well, for the time being, I am your husband so I reckon we’re in this together.”

Now she wanted to cry.
Together
. How nice that sounded. How un-lonely. She shoved these useless thoughts aside.

“Any reason you can think of why somebody’s out to get you?”

“No. I don’t know anyone out here.”

“Any family feuds? Maybe your father or a brother has an enemy?”

“No.”

“You sure?”

“They’re dead.”

Mike kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry.”

Tears spilled out her eyes. The comfort of Mike’s arms, his soft touch and husky voice broke down her defenses. She leaned into him.

“You rest, honey. I’ll keep watch.” His embrace tightened ever so slightly.

Kathleen tilted her head up and smiled. “Thank you.”

Mike leaned down and his lips covered hers. She didn’t have the energy or the will to stop him. As he explored her mouth, the words, together with him calling her ‘honey,’ did a waltz in her mind.

Mike woke to the steel gray sky of dawn, just before the sun shed its first rays of light on the landscape. He still held Kathleen as she cuddled like a kitten on his lap. Even in her slumber, she clung tight to his shirt.

He grinned. Last night when she’d huddled on the bed in obvious fear, he couldn’t leave. Couldn’t stop from going to her, trying to ease her fright. He couldn’t stay mad at her. And when she turned her face up and he gazed down into her moist eyes and saw her trembling lower lip, he couldn’t resist the temptation to kiss her. He had kissed her quite thoroughly. Even let his fingers wander to the ties on her chemise until he realized she had fallen asleep.

She felt so soft and warm.

Mike frowned. Here he sat, enjoying the feel of Kathleen next to him and all the while planning on getting rid of her. He eased Kathleen off his lap and draped the covers over her, then slipped out of the room and ran smack into Hawkins.

“I can understand you wanting to get some use out of that woman but I hope you’re not letting her get the best of you.”

“It’s none of your business, Hawkins.”

“What happened to you, Mike? You were an upstanding citizen, honest in your dealings, and had a bright future. Now?” Hawkins glanced at the door Mike just exited. “You’re fooling around with a slut, right in front of the whole town.”

“She’s not a slut and you’d better never call her that again.”

“See? What else has she convinced you of?”

“Why don’t you ask Sally about all this? She’s the one that set it all up.”

Hawkins laughed. “That the story she fed you? Damn, the woman’s a good little liar. And a sultry siren. And here I thought you were smarter than that.”

“Lay off, Hawkins.”

“Come to my room. I have something I think you should see.”

“Quit trying to change my mind. The deal between Sally and me is off.”

“Fine. But come along, you still need to read this.”

“Read what?” A cold breath brushed across the nape of his neck like a whisper of death and curled up on his shoulder for a ride down the hall to Hawkins’ room.

Hawkins handed him three sheets of paper. Each one described Kathleen to a ‘T’ and all listed the crimes attributed to her. Embezzlement, forgery, two previous marriages in which she was wanted for questioning in the men’s untimely and mysterious deaths, bank robbery. Mike’s hand shook and the chill on his shoulder spread to his chest and froze his lungs.

“If you’re still not convinced, I’ll personally go fetch Sally and you can ask her yourself about not wanting to marry you. She’s heartbroken over your betrayal. She was sobbing her eyes out and refused to come out of her room. And you dare defend this whore to my face?”

“I’ll go call on Sally today and apologize. But I’m not ready to jump back in the marriage game.”

“You’ll leave my daughter alone until she’s ready to receive you. In the meantime, I suggest you clean up this mess and get rid of that crook you’re married to.”

“Has Barker seen these?”

“He knows. Tried to arrest her yesterday but couldn’t find her.”

Mike shoved the papers in Hawkins’ chest. “Why don’t you go get him while I make sure Kathleen doesn’t slip off?”

“I’ll stand guard. You go get Barker.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re too angry to be near the woman. Don’t need you arrested for murder.”

Mike punched the wall and stormed out. He paused at Kathleen’s door. Inside that room lay a girl that twisted his gut into a mass of knots, skewered his heart, and somehow made him want her. Even now. Hell, he’d never wanted a whore before.
Why now? Because he was a damn fool.

First, she’d spit and clawed until he couldn’t think straight and soon as she had pushed him to leave, she’d turned all teary-eyed and acted like a frightened colt. And no innocent virgin would allow him to spend the night holding her in his lap. In her undergarments. Or lean into him with a sigh and let him kiss her. No, a decent girl would have demanded he leave her alone and be outraged at his kiss. Kathleen just curled up
pretty as you please
in his lap and had tilted her head just right to accommodate a kiss.

“Go on, Mike.” Hawkins poked him in the back and stood in front of Kathleen’s door. He glared at the man as the cold chill inside him turned to a white-hot branding iron. Fists crimped so tight his knuckles hurt, Mike ran down the stairs and kicked the hotel’s front door open. First Hawkins wanted his ranch, now Kathleen did. Well, neither one was going to get it.

The hard boards of the sidewalk echoed with a steady beat as his long stride carried him to the sheriff. Mike shoved the door open and stomped inside. “Get up, Barker.”

“I’m up.” The sheriff swung his legs off the cot and hitched up his sagging pants. “What do you want this early in the morning?”

“Hear you’re looking for my wife.”

“Now take it easy, Baca, I’m only doing my job.”

“She’s at the hotel. Room Six. Get your cuffs.”

Barker scratched his crotch, spat, and dug around in his desk for a pair of shackles.

Mike grabbed them out of Barkers’ hands. “I want to do the honors.”

“Sure, Mike. Want me to swear you in?”

“Hell, yes. Give me a badge, too.”

Barker slapped a dingy silver star on the desk. “You swear to uphold the law?”

“Yes.”

“Good enough for me. Let’s go.”

Mike snatched the star and pinned it on as he hurried back to the hotel.

Kathleen would pay for her crimes. Pay for deceiving him. Pay for stealing a piece of his heart. Damn, he was a fool.

Barker huffed beside Mike as the two men climbed the stairs. Hawkins sat on the floor, his head bowed and a string of curses flowing from his mouth.

Mike burst into the room. Kathleen was gone. The blanket she stole from his house, the one he’d wrapped her in, lay in a heap at the foot of the bed. The bed that he so recently had vacated. The bed he’d held her sensuous body next to his in.
Damn, damn, damn.

“I’m sorry, Mike. Somebody snuck up and clobbered me over the head. She must have been listening to our conversation. They went out the back door.”

Mike’s chest rose and fell as he gasped for air. He glanced at the cuffs dangling from his fingers, at the unpolished star on his shirt pocket. He shouldn’t be surprised. Kathleen had managed to evade the law for years now. What made him think he’d be the one to best her? “Can you describe the man?”

“No. I only got a glimpse. He did have dark hair.”

Hawkins crawled to his feet and squeezed Mike’s shoulder. “Want me to get a posse together?”

“No.” Mike patted his badge. “I think I’d like to do this one alone. Any objections, Barker?”

“You just be careful out there.”

“I will.”

Kathleen huddled in the corner of Mr. Hawkins’ room and listened to the muffled voices. Shivers rattled her bones as she stared at the pages scattered on Mr. Hawkins’ bed. Each one came from a different state and each listed a host of crimes beside a perfect description of her. Three even had a good likeness of her painted on the page.

First, someone tried to rob her, and then kill her, and now this? Why? The only thing of value she owned was her land. And according to the law of the land, a husband owned whatever a wife possessed. If someone found gold or silver they’d go after Mike, too. But his name didn’t appear on these warrants. His description wasn’t printed as an accomplice. And the sheriff wasn’t looking for him.

She tiptoed to the door and peeked through a tiny crack. Mike had a pair of cuffs dangling from his hand and when he turned, she noted the star on his right breast pocket. The stiff set of his shoulders sent a new spike of fear through her. Quiet and slow, she eased back to the corner of the room. Hawkins had told her Mike had gone to the sheriff. She didn’t expect to see a badge on Mike. Or him holding cuffs. Cuffs meant for her.

Nausea boiled in her stomach. Mike believed these lies. Once again, he was out to get her. And after he’d held her so tenderly, kissed her so passionately, and whispered sweet words of comfort in her ear. Right now, the only person who stood to gain by framing her was Mike. If he really knew she was Simpkin’s heir, why the games? He’d get the land without a fight. No judge would deny him. Not with these falsified documents.

But why? She didn’t give Mike any reason to believe she’d pursue an annulment last night. A raging heat flamed across her cheeks. If she hadn’t been injured and fallen asleep, Mike wouldn’t have even needed to ask if she’d consummate the marriage. Nope, all he had to do was keep kissing her because she was helpless in his hands. Incredibly stupid, also.

The door creaked and Kathleen pressed deeper into the corner. Did Hawkins betray her?

“It’s me.” At Hawkins’ whisper, Kathleen pushed herself up.

He stripped the blanket from the bed and handed it to her. “Mike’s now a deputy. Barker’s letting him chase you.”

She jerked her gaze to Hawkins. “No.” A ripple of fear coiled around her throat. Not Mike. He had an uncanny ability to find her.

“I’m afraid so. He’s hot on the trail of you and an imaginary man.” Hawkins chuckled. “He’ll be long gone soon. Then I can whisk you off to a safe place.”

“Why don’t you believe these wanted posters?”

“Have a seat, Miss Barnes. You look pale.”

“Don’t avoid my question.”

“I’m not. Please get comfortable and let me explain.”

Kathleen eased down onto the bed and curled her legs under her. Might as well listen to the man. He did seem to want to hide her from Mike. Probably just as a means to get back at him. She doubted he really cared one way or the other what happened to her. But right now, she’d take what she could get. With a hefty dose of caution.

Mr. Hawkins leaned against the windowsill. “It all started about a year ago. Ben Simpkins was murdered. No trace of the killer ever turned up. When his will was found, Barker gave it to me. I immediately hired the Pinkerton’s to track you down or you’d still be sitting in that sweat shop in New York.”

Hawkins crossed his arms. “I also asked for a complete background check on you.”

“Then why can’t that report be sent to Sheriff Barker to clear my name?”

“The agent responsible for the report was killed during an apprehension.”

“Mr. Turner’s dead?” A frown tugged at her lips as a flash of sorrow for the nice young man shot through her.

“I’m afraid so.”

“But shouldn’t his report be on file?”

“I’ve already sent a telegram asking about it. When I receive an answer, I’ll let you know.”

“You’re a very efficient man, Mr. Hawkins.”

“Tobias. Remember?”

The cramping knots in her stomach unwound and Kathleen relaxed. With Tobias on her side, things didn’t look so grim. All she had to do was wait until the Pinkerton report showed up. Then she could come out of hiding, get released from this marriage, and prove her innocence. “What now, Tobias?”

“How about a new dress?”

Kathleen grinned. “And some breakfast?”

Tobias smiled back. “Of course. Anything else?”

“No. When do we leave?”

“Dark. So you rest your pretty little head and don’t aggravate that wound.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

Kathleen waited until the door clicked shut before she dared peek out the window. Sunlight drenched the rough wooden buildings and dust hung in the air like a cloud, waiting for a breeze to blow it away. Shortly, Tobias came into view and she pressed her forehead against the cool pane as he entered the restaurant. The spurt of energy that flowed through her veins at the anger and necessity to evade Mike had waned and she slid to the floor. Food would help regain some of her strength but right now she craved a cold drink to ease the dryness in her mouth and cool her heated body. It was going to be hot one today.

Tobias Hawkins left the hotel with a spring in his step. Finally. He had possession of Miss Barnes and Baca was on a wild goose chase. Alone. Perfect.

He whistled as he meandered down the sidewalk as the town bustled with early morning activities. Several men swept off the boards in front of their business and the barber shook out his linens. At the door to Dr. Pages’ office, he didn’t try to suppress the grin curving up his lips.

He knocked and pushed the door open. “Good morning, Dr. Page.”

“Tobias, what brings you here?”

“I’m worried about Sally. She’s devastated over this mess with Baca and isn’t sleeping. I wanted just enough laudanum to knock her out for a few hours, so she can get some much needed rest.”

“You have to be real careful with that stuff.”

“I trust you, Doc. I don’t want to overdose her.”

“Well, then, just this once.”

“That’s all I asked for.”

Dr. Page filled a small vial with the reddish-brown liquid and put a stopper in the top. “Here are two doses. Mix them in with some food or strong coffee, and she won’t have to taste the bitterness.”

“Thank you, Doc.” Hawkins stuffed the vial into his vest pocket and went to the mercantile to make some purchases then went to Aunt May’s for breakfast.

“Good morning, Mr. Hawkins. Eggs or flapjacks this morning?” May’s friendly daughter asked.

“Eggs. And do you have any soup left from last night?”

“Sure do. Want some?”

“After I’m done. One of my hands had a little too much to drink last night and I need him sobered up.”

The waitress laughed and went off to the kitchen to fill his order.