The Marshal Takes a Bride (6 page)

“I stopped at Charity House first. Laney told me where to find you.”

She couldn’t stop a small jolt of surprise from spreading into something more tangible, more pleasant. But reality set in just as quickly. Had the two ladies from her earlier encounter seen Trey enter the building? Would they think Katherine had set up a secret rendezvous?

No, she was being oversensitive because of their rudeness. Surely they’d been long gone by the time Trey had arrived. “You came looking for me?” she asked at last, suspicion digging deep. “Why?”

“I want to talk to you about Molly.” As he spoke, everything about him turned serious—his expression, his body language, even his tone.

Surprised by the change in him, and her intrigued reaction in response, she focused on ending their discussion as quickly as possible. “There’s nothing more to discuss. In fact, it’s all very simple—”

“Is it? I was under the impression it was—” he blew out a slow breath “—
complicated
.”

She started to push around him, but he evened out his weight, barring the exit. He seemed to fill every available space.

He looked too big, too casual, and for a brief moment, she feared he would attack. But instead of making her shake, or even tremble, the notion made her temper flare.

Finally,
an emotion she understood. “Get out of my way.”

A troubled look pooled in his gaze, and he scrubbed a hand through his hair. He shifted to one side, leaving a small opening for her, but he didn’t move completely away. “Not until I’ve said my piece.”

After his earlier consideration of her fears, she knew she owed him that much. “Go ahead then. Say what you came to say.”

He nodded. “I was wrong to get between you and your sister yesterday.”

“You admit it?” Katherine could hardly believe her ears.

“Yes.”

Blinking at this newest change in him, she didn’t know what to think. Trey Scott had just given her what she wanted.

So why didn’t she feel any satisfaction?

“It’s not personal, you know,” she said, the truth finally hitting her. “It’s simply that you can’t offer Molly the stability she needs, especially now.”

“You’re correct. I can’t make promises.”

She suddenly wished he would. Because she sensed, all the way down to the last hair on her head, that if Trey Scott made a promise, he would keep it.

“I won’t come around the orphanage anymore,” he said.

Her stomach bounced to her toes. Now that he’d given her exactly what she wanted, she realized she wasn’t sure she wanted it anymore.

In truth, she couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing him again. “What about Marc?”

“I can visit with him during school hours.”

He looked so sad, troubled, and she found herself no longer concerned about her own fears.

She reached to him and touched his sleeve.

It was his turn to shrug her off.

“Molly’s your sister. Your word stands. I won’t interfere anymore. However—” he commanded her gaze with a hard, unrelenting look “—you should know that I will not stop hunting Ike Hayes until I find him and bring him to justice.”

Katherine sighed, realizing he’d missed the crucial point in all her arguments. Didn’t he understand that it wasn’t the hunt she feared, but rather Trey’s motivation? “Seeking vengeance won’t—”

“
That
is not up for discussion.” His closed-off expression couldn’t hide his pain.

Katherine shook her head, feeling as though she’d failed him and unsure why that thought hurt so much.

She didn’t want him to walk away. Not like this. With nothing really settled between them.

But before she could plead with him to hear her out, he said, “You were right all along.”

“I…I was?”

His eyes clouded over. “Men with badges die.”

U
nable to sort through his chaotic thoughts, Trey shoved his own turmoil aside and studied the myriad of emotions that swept across Katherine’s face at his declaration. Dread. Pain. Sorrow.

He wanted to offer her words of reassurance, to promise her they’d figure everything out for Molly’s sake, as well their own.

But he couldn’t lie to her now that they were starting to have an honest conversation.

“That’s all I had to say.” He reached for his hat.

“Stay.” She gripped his arm. “Please. This isn’t right. Can’t we find another way?”

He shook his head at her. “You want me to forgive murderers, while I never can.”

“Maybe not on your own.” She dropped her hand and sighed. “But with God’s help…”

“Don’t you understand, Katherine? I don’t believe in turning the other cheek. I’m Old Testament. An eye for an eye.”

“Seeking revenge only hurts you, Trey, not—”

“Tell that to my wife, and all the others Ike Hayes has killed. Good, decent people.”

Katherine lowered her gaze to her toes. “I’m…sorry. I didn’t mean to make light of your loss.”

“I know.”

Now was the time he should walk away, but the unmistakable sadness in Katherine’s eyes—sadness for
him
—touched the part of his soul he’d thought he’d buried with Laurette. Vengeance still burned in his gut, probably always would until he captured Ike, yet Trey didn’t want to walk away without attempting to assure Katherine his anger wasn’t directed at her.

With unsteady fingers, he touched her cheek, dropped his hand at her flinch. Why couldn’t she trust him, even a little? “I know I argued the point yesterday, but like you, I don’t want to put Molly through another loss.”

She blinked at him but didn’t respond.

He took a step closer, determined to set aside his own bitterness for a moment so he could help her understand. Katherine was courageous and good. She deserved a future free of the fear that still gripped her, the same fear that still held her captive after two years of living in the safety of Charity House.

With slow, careful movements he shifted the long black braid off her shoulder and sent it tumbling down her back. He couldn’t help but notice how her skin stood pale against the slash of her arched eyebrows. “I don’t want to hurt Molly any more than you do. In spite of what my actions might have said yesterday, I only want what’s best for her.”

An emotion he couldn’t read wavered in her eyes before
she covered it with a scowl. “Then we’re in agreement. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

“Not yet. It’s time we had the rest of it out between us.” He shifted his weight. “
All
of it.”

Her clenched fists spoke of inflexible resolve. “Now is not a good time for me.”

“Nevertheless, we’re going to settle this. Not only for your sister’s sake, but for yours as well.”

And maybe even for his own.

Here, now, in the confines of the school’s supply closet, Trey finally admitted to himself that he’d been moved by this woman and her painful past long before she’d brought Molly to live with her.

The discovery sat heavy on his heart. How could he have feelings for this woman when his hate and anger drove him so hard? How could he be drawn to Katherine when his only goal should be to avenge his wife’s senseless murder?

How could he betray Laurette like this, even in the secret corners of his mind?

“Please.” Her trapped gaze darted to the exit. “Can’t we do this later?”

He nearly relented at the sight of her unconcealed dismay, at the wave of guilt that had begun to spread through him, but it was time they addressed the real problem standing between them. Without the issue of Molly or the little girl’s future as a buffer. Without his mind consumed with his wife.

He reached to Katherine, brushing aside a strand of hair that had freed itself from the braid. “We have to work through this, before our antagonism explodes in some unforeseen way, and we do something
you’ll
regret.”

“Me? What about you?”

“I’m long past regrets.”

Trey had told himself the only reason he’d sought out Katherine today was to tell her he would honor her wishes concerning Molly.

He’d been lying to himself.

Katherine Taylor awakened tender emotions in him he’d thought dead. She gave him a glimpse of who he used to be before anger and hatred had taken root. He wanted to teach her how to trust him, as a
friend
would trust another, and that all men didn’t want to use her for their own selfish desires.

“I won’t hurt you, Katherine. Ever.”

He meant every word, but she stiffened anyway, and then shifted away from him.

Feeling helpless, foolish, he stepped back. Focusing on her fears helped him remember why they needed to work through this awkwardness between them. He tried another topic. “I know you and Molly shared the same mother, but you had different fathers. I also know how your sister’s father died. But, tell me, Katherine, what happened to yours?”

Her closed, stony expression made him fear she wouldn’t answer his question, but she surprised him. “He was a town sheriff, shot in the line of duty.”

His stomach dropped, and he felt like he’d been gut-punched. Why hadn’t Marc warned him? Now her worries for her little sister made more sense. “How old were you when he died?”

“About Molly’s age. He left us with less than nothing.”

“Us?”

“Me and my mother. It’s why she turned to her scan
dalous profession.” The look in her eyes explained more than her words. “Momma didn’t have any skills. When the last of our money ran out, she did what she thought she had to do. Eventually, she started her own business and, well, you know the rest.”

“You admired her.”

Katherine started trembling, her eyes clouding over as though she was lost inside painful memories. “No. I wept for her. She was a strong woman, capable and resourceful. But because of the choices she made, she lived a bitter and lonely life.”

He reached to her again.

She shrugged him off. Again.

“You escaped her legacy.”

“Yes.” Her face took on a faraway look. “I guess she knew what would happen if I grew up in her brothel, so she sent me to school back East. But I had to leave right before graduation and care for her during her illness. It was an honor and a blessing to share those final days with her, and to see her come to know the Lord.”

He had to swallow back his own anger at the thought of Katherine leaving the safety of school, only to have a man violate her in the most vile way possible. “You truly believe returning home was a blessing, after what happened to you?”

“Oh, Trey.” She gave him a serene smile, the one he’d seen her use on the smaller children when they were confused. “Despite all the tragedy, I eventually found my real home. Here at Charity House.”

Her naive response swelled a primitive need to lash out. “Good doesn’t always come out of evil. Look at Molly. Tell me, what good has come out of her loss?”

Katherine sighed. “God never promised us a life without adversity. But He gave us the strength we need to bear up under it. Molly may have lost both her mother and father, as I did, but she’s not alone. She has me. We have each other, and we have our heavenly Father.”

“How can you speak of God as though He cares?” Trey demanded, no longer thinking of Molly now, but of his wife.

She’d been a woman of faith, too, just like Katherine. However, God hadn’t given Laurette the strength to face Ike Hayes and his rotten brother, Drew. Her faith had been grossly rewarded with unspeakable violence. “Look around you. God abandons those who care for Him most.”

Katherine winced, but she didn’t challenge him. Instead, she reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder. “If you give it a chance, healing will come with time.”

She was wrong. Time healed nothing. At least not for him. Not until he caught Ike Hayes.

But maybe,
maybe,
the future could be different for Molly. She was just an innocent child, one who deserved peace in her life. And she’d get it, too. If he walked away now.

“I’ve been reckless with your sister.” He placed his fingertips against his temples, his heartbeat coming fast and hard under his touch. “I’m sorry, Katherine.”

“Do you know, until yesterday you never used my given name?” She wrapped her fingers around his wrist. “Say it again.”

Foggy memories screamed at him to stop before it was too late. He ignored the good sense that told him to pull away; instead, he touched her cheek with a gentleness he didn’t know he still possessed. “Katherine.”

She tilted her head at him, smiled.

All thoughts escaped him. All but one. “Am I scaring you?”

“I…” She pressed her hand over his. “No.”

She sounded shocked. Puzzled.

Amazed.

“Ah, Katherine.” Slowly, he lowered his hands to her shoulders. “Do you know what’s happening between us?”

“No.”

“Neither do I.” He started to pull her closer. “But I—”

“
Mr. Trey!
Whatcha doin’ to my sister?”

At the sound of Molly’s voice, resignation filled Katherine. She let out a choppy breath, drew in another, and then glanced into Trey’s eyes.

He dropped his hands immediately from her shoulders. His expression gave away nothing of his emotions. In fact, his face was stark, fathomless, his gray-eyed gaze guarded.

Katherine gave him an exasperated look.

He sent her a small shrug.

“
Mr. Trey!
I was talkin’ to you.”

Trey gently pushed Katherine farther away from him, but he kept his gaze locked with hers as he answered Molly.

“I heard you, kitten.” His lips curved into a slow, sardonic smile. “We were just talking.”

Molly scooted around the back of Trey and then shoved between them. “Huh?”

Trey flashed Katherine a fearless grin and then lowered his attention to Molly. “What are you doing here, kid?”

Furrowing her brows, the little girl looked from Trey to Katherine and back again. “Laney told us to come get Katherine for lunch.”

Katherine’s breath caught in her lungs.
“Us?”

Molly pointed to a spot just behind Trey. “Me, Megan and Johnny.”

Leaning to her right, Katherine groaned at the sight of the older children shifting from foot to foot. Both were looking intently at the ceiling, but their smirks told her that they knew exactly what they’d just interrupted.

Perfect. Two fifteen-year-old
witnesses.

Trey’s shoulders stiffened as he pivoted completely around. “Johnny, Megan, please take Molly back to Charity House. Kath—that is,
Miss
Taylor—and I will be right behind you.”

Molly marched around Trey and parked two balled fists on her hips. “We can’t leave ’less Katherine comes, too.”

“Go on, Molly,” Katherine said, squelching her sister’s mutiny with a firm voice and firmer frown. “I need to talk to Marshal Scott. Alone.”

The little girl stomped her foot. “But I wanna stay.”

Trey stooped to Molly’s height and then plucked at one of her braids. “We’ll be right behind you.”

Molly cocked her head. “Really?”

“Promise. And after lunch we’ll finish our game of marshals versus the big bad bank robbers,” said Trey.

Molly cocked her head at him. “Do I get to be the marshal this time?”

Trey nodded. “Of course.”

“Well, okay.” Molly skipped over to Megan, clutched the girl’s hand and then looked at Katherine over her shoulder. “Bye, Katherine.”

Katherine gave both girls a shaky smile. “Bye.”

With a knowing grin, Johnny addressed Trey directly. “See you in a few…
minutes,
Marshal.” He wiggled his
eyebrows but followed the girls out of the room without commenting further.

“Perfect. Just perfect,” Katherine said once they were alone again. “Everyone at Charity House is sure to hear about this.”

She’s just like her mother.
The woman’s words from her earlier encounter echoed through her head.

Trey turned to face her then, his gaze impossible to read. Katherine didn’t much care for the tug of unease that sped up her spine. Even before he opened his mouth to speak, she knew she wasn’t going to like what he had to say.

“I guess this means we’re getting married,” he said, with a heavy dose of resignation in his voice.

Married?
Katherine couldn’t breathe under the weight of her confusion. How on earth had the man come to that conclusion? It took several seconds for her pounding heartbeat to settle enough for her to speak. “Pardon me?”

In the silence that followed, their gazes met and held. And held. And
held.

Trey blinked first. “I didn’t mean to put you into this predicament.” He sighed. “Not only did three children catch us alone, but a passing neighbor or deliveryman could have seen me come in here.”

“Maybe not,” she said, a little too desperate, a little too shrill.

“Ugly talk, even unfounded, could bring trouble to the school. Or worse, yet another complaint against the entire Charity House venture.” He darted his gaze around the room, speared his fingers through his hair, then gave a quick nod. “Under the circumstances, marriage is our best option.”

Tears of indignation pricked in Katherine’s eyes, but her
pride refused to allow a single drop to fall. Her only defense was to drop a cold chill into her words. “Stop talking nonsense. Even if someone saw us and filed a complaint, it…”

She trailed off, realizing the trouble that could come to Marc and Laney. To Charity House.

No. They were speculating now. Nothing more. There hadn’t been a formal complaint against the orphanage in well over a year. The probability of a renewed grievance was ridiculous. “Let me pass.”

As though he’d forgotten where they were, his gaze flicked around. “Katherine, you must realize how sor—”