The Lawman Lily Graison

The Lawman Lily Graison


ChapterOne

WillowCreek,MontanaTerritory,1869

Walkingintoasalooninbroaddaylightwasn’tthesmartestthingshe’d

everdone,butwhatchoicedidshehave?

Boldredlettersscrawledontoapieceofwoodhungbythesaloondoor.

"NoLadiesAllowed,"itread,theropeholdingitinplacesofrayedtheentire

thinghungatanoddangle.Abigailignoredthewarningandapproachedthe

building,glancingdownthewoodenboardwalkinbothdirectionstoseeif

anyonewaswatchingher.Noonewas.TheresidentsofWillowCreekwere

hustlingabout,mindingtheirownbusiness,andshepreferreditthatway.The

lessattentionshedrewtoherself,thebetteroffshewas.Placingahandonthe

swingingdoorofthesaloonsheleaneduponhertoesandpeekedoverthe

top,takingalookinside.

Tableswerescatteredaroundtheroom,mostofthemcoveredingreen

baize.Mensprawledaroundthegamingtableswhileafewmorestoodleaning

againsttheornatebarthatspannedtheentirelefthandwall.Thelargest

mirrorshe’deverseenhungbehindit,givingheraglimpseofthebackofthe

room.Apianostoodalongthefarrightwall,amansittingbehinditpinging

outtinnynotesinalivelytune.

Astaircasewassituatednearthepianoandaglanceupshowedabalcony

surroundingthemainroom.Anumberofdoorswereseenatthetop,all


closed.Thesignbyherleftshoulderwasn’tentirelycorrect,sherealized,as

shesawthewomenwholingeredatthetopofthestairs.Therewerewomen

insidetheDiamondBackSaloonbutcallingthemladieswouldhavebeena

stretch.TheirbrightsateendressesweremorerevealingthanAbigail’s

underclothesandthat,alongwiththefadedfeathersintheirhair,gaveherthe

impressionofcolorfulbirds.Theterm“SoiledDove”cametomindandAbigail

knewnowwherethephrasehadsurelyoriginated.

Themeninsidetheestablishmentrangedfromdustycowpokestothose

ofamoreupscalelifestyle.Theyallsharedonecommonattribute,withtheir

hardliquorinhandandtheattentiontheyshowedthewomenlingering

aroundtheroom.ThemeninsidetheDiamondBackhadn’tacareintheworld,

itseemed.Unlikeherself.Wouldshemakethingsworsebyventuringinside?

Abigailturnedandwalkedbacktotheedgeofthewoodenwalkway,

lookingatwhattheresidentsofWillowCreekconsideredatown.Arickety

rowofbuildingsranonbothsidesofthemuddyroad.TheImperialHotel

caughtherattention.Fromthewhitewashedwallsandcolorfulcurtains,it

stoodoutamongsttheotherbuildings.Inaplaceassmallandoutoftheway

asWillowCreek,thehotelwasindeedthefanciestthingaround.Thename

suitedit.ShelongedtowalkinsidethedoorandPindoutjusthowgrandit

was.Maybegetaroomandspendtherestoftheeveningdoingnothingbut

relaxinginatubofhot,cleanwaterandeatinguntilherbellywouldn’thold

anymore.Theremainingfundsrestinginthebottomofherreticulegavea

small“ting”whenshebounceditagainstherleg.She’dbeluckytohave

enoughcoinstobuyhersupper.GlancingattheStagecoachstation,she

wonderedifthefoodofferedtherewascheaperthansheknewthehotel’sfare

wouldbe.


Itmadelittledifference.Onemealwouldn’tsolveherproblems.Theonly

thingshecoulddowaswalkintothesaloonandPindtheonlymanwhocould

helpher,assuminghewould.

Sheturnedandstraightenedherspine,givingthewidesaloondoorsa

briefglancebeforemarchingforward.Asmallpushontheswingingdoorswas

allittooktograntherentranceandonceshesteppedinsidetothetobacco

juicestrewnsawdustPloor,sheregrettedherdecision.Everypersoninthe

roomturnedtolookather.Thepianomusicstopped,theclatterofglassesand

chitchatcametoanabrupthalt.Abigailsuckedinabreath,raisedherchinand

turnedtothebar,makingherwaytowarditandignoringthestaresthe

patronsweregivingher.

“Youshouldn’tbeinhere.”Thedeepbaritoneofthebartenderslashedat

hercomposurebutsheignoredhimasthemusicandlaughteronceagain

started.

“I’minneedofassistance,”shesaid,addingasmiletotryandgainhis

favor.

“Unlessyou’relookingforajobIcan’thelpya.”Hesattheglassinhis

handdownanddrapedthetowelhe’dusedtotryandcleanitwithoverhis

shoulder.Theungentlemanlyleerhethrewatherwouldhaveearnedany

othermanaslapacrosshisdaringface.Shewasn’tabouttotryitwiththis

one.Besides,thelastmanshe’dslappedwasstillchasingher.

Thebartendergrinnedandgaveheranotherassessingglance.Abigail

couldtellbythelookonhisfacehe’djumpedtothewrongconclusion.“Wecan

alwaysusenewgirlsaroundhere.”Hegrinned,histhickmustachecurlingup

ashismouthmoved.“I’msuretheboyswouldmakeyouarichwomaninno

time.”


Ribaldlaughterfromthemenstandingatthebarfollowedhiscomment

andcausedAbigail’sfacetoburnhot.Sheknewherskinhadturnedblotchy

withoutevenlooking.Italwaysdidwhensheblushedandhisremarkcaused

herentirebodytoPlushhot.“No,”shesaid,thesoundcomingoutamere

squeak.“I’mnotlookingforwork.”Sheswallowedthelumpforminginher

throatandtookanothersteadyingbreath.“Thestagecoachdriverwalkedin

hereafewminutesago.Ifyoucouldjustdirectmetohim,I’llbeonmyway.”

Thebartenderwasyoung.Orheappearedtobe.Theusualsignsofafull

lifehadn’tlinedhisface.Hisskinwasonlyslightlytannedfromthesun,his

blackhairhadverylittlegrayinit,andtheslopingmustachehidingallbuthis

bottomlipcurvedeversoslightlyashegrinneddownather.Shesmiledback,

hopingthefriendlygesturewouldhelp.Thewayhisgazesliddowntoher

breastletherknowotherwise.

“Peteisamightbusyatthemoment,”thebartendertoldher,leaning

downandbracinghisarmsonthetopofthebar.“He’supwithMissChloe.”He

noddedtothesecondPloorbalconyandAbigailknewwhatthestagecoach

driver,Pete,wasdoing.“Now,unlessyou’rewillingtoworkupstairs,youbest

hightailitoutofhere.Signsaysnoladiesallowed.”

“Isee.”Takingaglanceoverhershoulder,Abigaillookedaroundtheroom

again.Thepianowastinklingoutanothertuneandthechatterofthoseinside

thesaloonreturnedasthepatronswentbacktotheirpreviouscardgames.

Theactivitygoingonupstairswasobviousandthestagecoachdriverwouldbe

hoursincomingbackdown.Unlessshecouldgetsomeonetogospeakwith

him.Sheturnedbacktofacethebartender.“Couldyousendhimamessagefor

me,then?”

Aruckuseruptednearthedoorandagroupofmenambledinfromthe

street.Abigailknewbythelooksofthemsheshouldn’tbeinsidethesaloon.


Saddlebums,byallappearances.Thedirtandgrimeontheirclotheswouldbe

hardtowashout,ifever.Theirstenchcloudedtheairfromhalfwayacrossthe

roomandtheirvulgarlanguagewasenoughtocausehercheekstoburnhot

again.

Thebartendergaveagrufforderto,“Gitonoutofhere,missy,anddon’t

comeback,”beforedismissingher.Abigailhadnochoicebuttodoashesaid.

Raisingafusswouldonlydrawmoreattentiontoherselfandshecouldn’t

affordtomakethatmistake.

Holdingherreticuleclosetoherstomach,shegavehimasoft,“Thank

you,”andmadeherwaytothedoorasthemencamecloser.She’dnearly

reachedherdestinationwhenoneofthemengrabbedher,hisarmwrapping

aroundherwaistandpullingherfeetrightoffthePloor,beforehehuggedher

tohim.

“Whatdowegothere?”HisfoulbreathcausedAbigail’sstomachtoheave.

Hegaveherasqueeze,hisPingersbitingintoherribs.

“Letmego,please.”Shegaspedwhenhisholdonhertightened.He

laughed,themenwhocameinwithhimdoingthesameastheylookedup

towardthebalcony.Shefollowedtheirgazeandsawthewomenwholingered

alongtherailing.

ThearmaroundherwaistpulledhertighterandAbigail’seyeswidened

whenhisfreehandcametorestonherleftbreast.Shegaveashriekandhis

laughterechoedinsideherheadbeforeshestiffenedandkickedbackwith

bothheels.“Letmego!”

“Woo-wee,Igotmealiveone,boys!”Themeninsidethesaloonlaughed

andtheirhoopsandhollersgrewasshestruggledtogetloose.Thehandon

herbreastdidn’trelentbutanotherkicktohisshinswasenoughtogethimto


letgo.Shedroppedtoherfeet,herfacePlushed,andherheartracinginside

herchest.

Hegrinnedather.Whatteethhedidpossessweresodiscoloredshe

grimaced.“There’sbeenaterriblemistake.”Shedartedaglanceupthestairs

againwhentheman’sfriendsstartedtowardthesecondPloor.

“Ain’tnomistake.”Hisgazeranthelengthofherbodyandeventhough

herdresswasamodestcut,shefeltviolatedwhenhisleerlingeredonher

breasts.“Igotmoneyandlotsofit.I’lltakeya’tilmorning.You’llbeluckyto

walkbythetimeI’mthroughwithya.”

“Idon’tthinkso,”shemumbled.Sheforcedasmileontoherfaceand

straightenedherspine.“Iwasjustleaving.I’msureoneofthe—ladiesupstairs

willbemorethanhappytotakeyourmoney.”

Themanturnedhisheadandlookeduptowardthebalcony.Abigaileased

towardthedoorwhilehedid.She’dnearlymadeitwhenheturnedbackto

her.“They’remightypurdybutIthinkI’llkeepyajustthesame.”

AbigailwasmortiPied.Lessthananhourintownandshe’dbeen

abandonedbyawould-be-husband,lefthomelessanddestitute,andnowshe

wasbeingmistakenforawhore.Couldherdaygetanyworse?“I’mafraidyou

don’tunderstand.I’mnot—”Shedidn’tgetachancetoPinishhersentence.

Themangrabbedher,tossedheroverhisshoulderlikeasackofpotatoesand

startedforthestairs.Shevaguelyheardthebartenderyellsomethingasthe

man’sbootedfeethitthestairs.“Putmedownthisinstant!”ShesmackedaPist

againsthisback,kickingherfeetasthesaloonpatronseruptedintoear-

splittinglaughter.Abigailstruckhisstomachwithakneeandhestumbled,

smackingherintothestairrailing.Afewmorewildstrugglesandhedropped

her.Hard.


Theimpactwiththestairsleftherdazedbutshakingherheadcleared

hervision.Whensheglancedattheman,thelookonhisfacewasn’tthejovial

oneshe’dseenmomentsago.Jumpingtoherfeet,Abigailranpasthimand

backdownthestairs.Shewashalfwayacrosstheroombeforehecaughther.

“Lethergo,”thebartendersaid,comingaroundthesideofthebar.

“There’sgirlsupstairsmorethanwillingtotakeyourmoney.”

“Don’twantthem,”themansaid.“IwantthisoneandI’mgonnahaveher.”

Whenhereachedforheragain,Abigailreactedbyinstinct.Sheslapped

him.Thecontactwithhisfacestungherhandandthesoundrangthroughout

theroom.Thelaughtergrew,theman’sfacecontortedandtherageinhiseyes

wasthatofawildbull.ShesawhisPistcomingtowardher,gasped,then

ducked.Thewildpunchlandedonthebartenderinsteadandthemanshouted

outastringofcursesbeforehethrewhisownPistintothefray,hittingtheman

backinreturn.

Anexchangeofpunchescausedthebartendertoslamintooneofthe

tablesandruinedahighstakespokergame.Themenaroundthetablecursed,

scrambledforthemoneylitteringthePloor,andwereembroiledintheirown

Pightwithinseconds.Thefurniturearoundtheroomwasutilizedtoaddtothe

paininPlictedbythosejoiningthebrawlandthechaosthatfollowedwas

destructiveenoughforAbigailtohopeshedidn’thavetopayforitall.

Shecrawledtothebaramongstthebrokenglass,chairlegsandsawdust

andcrouchedintothecornertowatchwithfrightenedeyes.Whenaman

landedwithininchesofher,sheletoutastartledshriek,jumpedtoherfeet

andranforthedoor—andrightintothearmsofamanenteringfromthe

street.

Thetopofherheadbarelyreachedhiswideshouldersandtheshocked

expressiononhisfacewasn’tenoughtodrawherattentionfromthegreenest


eyesshe’deverseen.Framedbylong,darklashesthoseeyesheldabitof

mischiefthatsomewildpartofherwantedtoexplore.

Hestareddownather,hishandsonherarmstighteningjustafraction

beforehesmiled.Someonecrashedintoherback,knockingthembothintothe

wall.OneofthemenPightingattheirbackthrewawildpunch.Itlandedright

inthemiddleofthenewcomer’sface.Thebackofhisheadslammedintothe

wall,bloodsprayedfromhisnoseandhiseyesrolledbackintohishead.When

hefell,hedraggedherwithhim.

Shelandedastraddlehiships,thebloodfromhisnosesplatteredthe

frontofherdress,ranacrosshischeekanddownoverhisbeardedchin.Sitting

upandrestingherhandsonhischest,Abigailcouldonlystare.That’swhen

shesawit.Theshinysilverbadgeonthefrontofhisvest,theword"Marshal"

engravedintoit.“Ohno,”shebreathedoutshakily.“WhathaveIdone?”

***

Morganfeltaweightonhischestandopenedhiseyes.Awomansaton

topofhim,herwide,blueeyesstaringdownathimwithshockandahintof

fear.Thesightofherbreastssoclosetohisfacelethimignorethatlittlefact

andconcentrateinsteadonthewomanherself.Thefrontofherdresswas

coveredinwhatlookedlikeblood,afewdotsofredsprinkledacrossher

cheeks,andherblondlockstumbledloosefromthepinsholdingitbackand

leftcurlstodanglearoundherface.Aglancedownthelengthofhisbody

conPirmedwhathethought.Shewassittingonhim,straddlinghiships,and

thewarmthofherpressedsointimatelyagainsthisgroinspreadwithin

secondsoftherealization.


Hemoanedandenjoyedthefacthehadawarmfemaleontopofhim.She

wasn’ttheonehe’dcometoseebuttakinganotherglanceatherface,hehad

toadmitshewasaprettylittlething.Hegrinnedupatherandrelaxedhis

body,takingintheweightofher.“Iusuallypreferabitofprivacyandawarm

bedbutifyouhavesomeyearningforpeopletowatch,Imightbewilling…

longasit’soneofyourfemalefriendsdoingthewatching.”

Shegaspedandscrambledoffofhim,climbingtoherfeetwhileherface

splotchedredassheblushed.“I’msorry.Ididn’tmeantocausesomuch

trouble.”

Morganstaredupather,confusedbywhatshesaid,whentheruckus

goingonaroundhimPinallyregistered.Itwasthenthepainthumpingthrough

hisfacepenetratedhisfoggybrain.Heturnedtolookaroundthesaloonand

seeingthePightsremindedhimofsomeonehittinghimthemomenthewalked

throughthedoor.

TheDiamondBackSaloonwasnearlydestroyedfromwhathecouldsee.

Onlyafewtablesremainedstanding,thechairswerescatteredfromoneend

oftheroomtotheotherandbrokenglassshinedupfromthesawdustPloor

likesmalldiamonds.Theonlypersonwhoseemedunaffectedwasthepiano

playerwhocontinuedtopingoutnotesasifnothingwerehappening.

Hesatup,agroanescapingasthethrobbinginhisheadincreased.He

spottedVernonWilkes,thebartender,andyelledouttohim.“Vernon,whatthe

hellisgoingon?”

ThebartenderturnedtohimandgotabeefyPisttothesideofhishead

forthetrouble.Morganletoutacurseandcrawledtohisfeetandstaggered

twicebeforeregaininghisbalance.Whentheroomstoppedspinning,he

crossedthespaceandgrabbedthemancurrentlybeatingthelivingdaylights

outofVernonandtossedhimintoagroupoffourmoremen,allneckdeepin


theirownPightsbeforehelpingVernontohisfeet.“Whatstartedthis?”The

bartendergrimaced,spitoutamouthfulofbloodbeforeturningtolook

towardthedoor.Morganfollowedhisgaze.Thewomanwasstillthere,her

frightenedeyeswideasshetookinthescene.

“That’swhatstartedit,”Vernonbitout,pointingtoherwithabloody

hand.“Sheain’tgotnobusinessinhere,marshal.”

Morganleveledherwithaquestioninglook.“Stayrightthere.I’lldeal

withyouinaminute.”Turningbacktothebarroom,hewatchedthemeleefor

afewminuteswhiledecidingwhattodo.Withthegirlsupstairs,grabbinghis

gunandshootingafewroundsintotheceilingtogetthemen’sattention

wasn’tpossible.Breakingthemupbyhandwastheonlycourseofactionhe

knewof.Andthemostpainful.Hesighedandstraightenedhisshoulders.“This

isgoingtohurtlikehell,”hemumbledtohimselfbeforethrowinghimselfinto

thefray.

Forthesecondtimethatday,someonepunchedhimintheface.He’dbe

barelyrecognizablebytomorrow,hePigured.Thepainalreadythrobbedand

hislefteyefeltalittlefunny.Swellingshut,hePigured.Morganshoutedacurse

andswungback,grimacingattheloudcrackingpopheheardastheman’s

nosebrokeandbloodspilleddownoverhisgrizzledchin.Twomorecameat

him,grabbinghimaroundthemiddleandslamminghimintotheonly

remaininguprighttable.TheycrashedtothePloorandittooklongsecondsfor

hislungstorePillwithair.Crawlingtohisfeet,hegrabbedthePirstmanhesaw

andslunghimintothewall.“StayrightthereorI’llthrowyouunderthejail!”

Tohissurprise,themandidjustthat.

Ittooklongerthanitshouldhavetogetthementocalmdown.Bythe

timethelastonehadfoundsomewheretositandcooloff,MissAngelina

herselfhadcomedownstairstotendtothewoundsofthoseneedinga


woman’sgentletouch.Sheinstructedhergirlstotakecareofthemenand

beforethedusthadsettled,morethanhalfthebarroomwasheadedtothe

secondPloortohavesomesoft,willingwomanhelpsoothetheirwounded

pride.

Everyonebuthim,thatis.

Morgandidn’tthinktherewasaspotofPleshonhisbodythatdidn’tache.

Bloodleakedfromcutstoonumeroustocount,hislipwassplitandhislefteye

wasdePinitelyswellingshut.Heturnedandlookedbacktowardthebar,the

womanwhoranintohimuponenteringthesaloonstillstandingwherehetold

herto.Shewasagainstthewall,herbagclutchedinherhandstightenoughto

causeherknucklestoshinewhitefromacrosstheroom.Whensheliftedher

headandlookedathim,givinghimasmilethatsaideverythingintheworld

wasperfect,hishellishweekcaughtupwithhiminaPlash.

Allhe’dwantedsincegettingbackintotownwastowashthedustfrom

histhroatwiththestrongestrot-gutwhiskeyVernoncouldofferhimandhave

atumblewithoneofthelittleladiesupstairs.Whathegotinsteadwasher.

Theblondehe’dfoundstraddlinghislapwhenhewokeupfromaPist-induced

sleep.Hestaredatherasshelookedaroundtheroom.Shewasprettybutnow

thatshewasstanding,hecouldseehowsmallsheactuallywas.Alittle

scrawnyforhistastes.Helikedhiswomenplumpwithbigbreastsandeager

appetitesforsinfulpleasures.Thediminutiveblonde,whoshouldn’thavebeen

insidethesaloontobeginwithaccordingtoVernon,lookedtameasakitten.

Toobad,hethought.Hewouldhavewillinglytakenhisfrustrationsout

betweenherthighsbutifVernonsaidshedidn’tbelonghere,thenhebelieved

him.

Crossingtheroomtowhereshestood,hestoppedinchesinfrontofher.

“Whoareyou?”Shedidn’tanswer.Instead,shestaredupathimwiththose


largeblueeyesofhers,herjawheldatanarrogantangle.Morganwaitedand

bracedhishandsonhiships.Andthenwaitedsomemore.“Well?”heasked,

irritatedathersilence.“Idon’thaveallday.Spititout.”

Hesawherthroatworkassheswallowed.“Abigail.Abigail…uh,

Thornton.”

“Well,AbigailThornton,wouldyouliketoexplaintomewhatthehell

you’redoinginthesaloon?”

ShestaredathischestandMorganfollowedhergaze.Hisbadgewas

crooked.Whenshesaid,“Thishasallbeenaterriblemisunderstanding,”he

lookedbackup.

“Isthatwhatyou’dcallthis?”Morganturnedtolookatthenowdestroyed

saloonbehindhim.Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischestwhenheturnedbackto

faceher,studyingherasshestoodthereunmoving.Herdresswasn’tvery

revealingbutthefabricwasadeepgreenwoolwithfancylacetrimming

aroundtheneckandcuffs.Hedidn’tknowmuchaboutwomen’sfashionbut

thatdresswasunlikeanyhe’dseenaroundWillowCreek.Itwastoofancyby

half.He’dneverseenherbeforeeitherandheknewthestagecoachhadcome

intotown.He’dseenitsittingbythestationonhiswayfromthejail.Shewasa

newcomerandtroubleifhe’deverseenit.

“Iwould,”shesaid,herchinliftingasmallfraction.“Thebartendercan

tellyouthat.”

MorganglancedatVernon,whohadsteppedbehindthebarandwas

currentlytryingtoclearthebrokenglassoffthetopofit.“Issheright?”

Vernonsnortedandgavethewomanasneer.“Thisiswhywomenaren’t

allowedinhere,marshal,andyouknowit!Theyain’tnothingbuttrouble.I

toldhershecouldn’tbeinherebutdidshelisten?”


HisheadwasthrobbingnowandMorganwantednothingmorethanto

taketohisbedandsleepforaweek,withorwithoutthecomfortofawilling

bodynexttohim.HelookedatAbigailagain,leaninghisheadtooneside.She

waswaferthinbutthatlittledressclungtoshapelycurvesevenhecouldn’t

helpbutnotice.Herbreastswerefull,ifnotabitonthesmallside,butthey

werehighandquiteperky.Herhairwasfallingdownaroundherfaceandit

softenedherlookabitandmadeherappeartobeinnocent.Almost.His

irritationgrewthelongershestoodthereunmoving.Shewaslookingat

anythingbuthimandhewasn’tgettinganywherequestioningher.Whatwas

shedoinghere?Sincesheseemedunwillingtotell,hePiguredshewasjust

downonherluckandlookingforwork.Whyelsewouldawomancomeintoa

saloon?Hisreasonforcominginsidelatchedontothatlittlemorsel.“Areyoua

whore?”heasked,asmallpartofhimhopingshewas.

Shegasped,herfaceturningbloodredbeforesplotchesbrokeoutacross

herneck.“Imostcertainlyamnot!”

“Areyoulookingtobeone?”

Herlipsturnedbloodlessasshepinchedthemtogether.ThePireinher

eyescausedonecornerofhismouthtotiltupandherchestheavedasher

breathswerehuffedout.DePinitelynotawhore.

“Iamalady,”shesaid,indignant.

Morganraisedoneeyebrow.“Aladyinasaloon?”

“Iwaslookingforthestagecoachdriverifyoumustknow.”

“Well,Iaskedyoutenminutesagowhatthehellyouweredoinginhere.

Whydidn’tyoujustsayso?”

Shepinchedthebridgeofhernoseandletoutalongsigh.“MayIgo

now?”

“No.”


Herheadsnappedup,thoseprettyblueeyeswideningagain.“Whyever

not?”

“Well,let’ssee.”Morganliftedahandandscratchedtheweek’sworthof

beardthathadgrowninwhilehewasonthetrail.“There’stheissueofyou

beinginsidethebar,forone.Thesignoutsideclearlysays,youcan’tcomein

here.There’salsothematterofthePight,thedamagetothesaloonandlet’s

notforgetthedamagedonetome.”Hepointedtohisstillthrobbingfacefor

emphasis.

“Fine.”SheturnedtowardVernonandsmiledprettily.“Mr.Vernon,I’m

verysorryaboutyourestablishment.I’llnotcomeinsideagain.”Whenshe

turnedtohim,thesmiledisappeared.“Asforyou,marshal,I’msorryforyour

trouble.”

Thewomanhadthenervetoturnonherheelandstrolloutofthesaloon

withtheregalairofaqueen.Morgansnortedalaughatheraudacitybefore

followingheroutside.Shewascrossingthestreetandhehadtoruntocatch

upwithher.“Wheredoyouthinkyou’regoing?”

Shestopped,turnedtolookathimandblewoutalongbreath.“Away

fromthesaloon.That’swhatyouwanted,isn’tit?”

“Notexactly.”AwagonforcedthemoutoftheroadandAbigailThornton

dismissedhimagainasifhewasn’tevenstandingthere.Shewalkedtoward

thestagecoachstation,herbootedfeetclickingagainstthewoodensidewalk

inrapidlittletaps.Hefollowedherandgrabbedherarmsoshecouldn’twalk

awayagain.“We’renotthrough,Mrs.Thornton.”

“It’sMiss,”shesaid,thatlittlechinofhersliftingagain.“Andplease

unhandme.”

Hewouldhavelaughedtheentiremessoffifherhigh-handeddemand

hadn’tbeenlacedwithtotalcontempt.Thelookinhereyesscaldedhimtothe


bone.Heknewhelookedlikehell.He’dbeenridingthecountrysideinpursuit

ofanoutlawforthepastweek.Heprobablystanktohighheaven,hisbeard

wasscragglyanditchedlikethedickensandhisclotheswouldhavetobe

burned.Nottomentionthedamagedonetohisfaceafterthatbarbrawlshe

started.Well,accordingtoVernon,shedid.He’dyettoheartheentirestory.

Regardless,thatstilldidn’tgivehertherighttotreathimlikeano-goodsaddle

bum.Hewasthemarshal,damnit,andshe’dtreathimwiththerespecthe

deserved.

Staringdownather,everyache,cutandbruisethrobbingandpulsing,he

knewshewasthereasonforit.Theacheinhislongneglectedgroinwasher

faulttoo.ThebloodpumpingthroughhisveinsheatedatthedePiantlookin

hereyesandthethoughtofwhattodowithherwassuddenlyclear.“Miss

Thornton,youhavenoideahowhappyitmakesmetotellyouthatyou’re

underarrest.”

Shegaspedandjumpedbackfromhim,herarmjerkingfromhisgrasp.

“Underarrest?Whatfor?”

HeroutragesoothedsomeofhisachesandMorgangaveherasmugsmile

beforeansweringher.“We’llstartwithdisturbingthepeaceandaddenteringa

gentleman’sestablishment,damagetopersonalpropertyandcareless

endangermentofafederalmarshal.Thatshouldbeenoughtokeepyououtof

troubleforquiteawhile.Oratleastuntilthecircuitjudgegetsbackintotown.”

Thelookonherfacewouldhavecausedhimtolaughifitwouldn’thave

hurtsodamnmuch.Evenatinysmilehurt.Itpulledtheedgesofhisbustedlip

buthemanagedacruelimitationofonejusttoannoyher.

Shestraightenedherspine,tiltedherchinupanotchandexploded.“That

isabsurd!Youcan’tarrestmeforthingsIhadnocontrolover.”


Morgangrinnedthroughthepain.“Iassureyou,Ican,MissThornton,and

Iam.Let’sgo.”Whenhegrabbedherarmagainandtriedtowalkherback

downthestreet,sheduginherheels,herfreearmlatchingontohiswherehe

grippedherwristandtriedtoshakehimoff.

“Letmego.Thisisallamistake.Youcan’tdothis!”

“Iwon’t,Idon’tcare,andIam.”

Sheletoutanear-piercingshriekandstruggledlikeawildcatbefore

raisingherfreehand,ballingherPingersintoaPistandpunchingathis

shoulder.Morgan’sabusedmusclesscreamedinagonyasshefoughthimand

ittookallthecontrolhehadnottolashoutinreturn.“Doyouwantresisting

arresttobeaddedtoyourlistofcrimes,MissThornton?”

Hereyeswidened.“Ihaven’tcommittedanycrime.Nowunhandmethis

instant.”

Thehumorinthesituationdiminished.Herscreamsweredrawing

attentionandthelocalgossipswerealreadyhoveredaroundJenkins

Mercantile,handsovertheirmouthsastheygapedathim.Hecouldonly

imaginewhatthestorywouldbebythetimethewholetownfoundout.

Glaringatthepeoplegawkingathim,hegrabbedAbigailaroundthewaistand

tossedheroverhisshoulder,grittinghisteeththroughthepaintheactcaused,

beforeturningandstartingforthejail.


ChapterTwo

Abigailwastoostunnedtodomorethanhangthere,upsidedown,while

themarshalcarriedhertojail.Jail!Hewasarrestingherforwhatamountedto

nothingmorethanamisunderstandingbutthepig-headedmandidn’twantto

hearhersideofthestory.Notthatshe’dreallytriedveryhardtotellhim.

Gettingawayfromhimseemedlikethebestcourseofactionbackatthe

saloon.Ifshe’donlywalkedfaster,shemayhaveavoidedthisentire

embarrassment.

Reachingthejail,Abigailliftedherheadandnoticedalineofpeople

Pillingthewoodensidewalkstaringatthem.Shegroanedandletherhead

dropagain.ThePloorofthejailcameintoview.Itwascoveredindriedmud,

muchlikethemarshal’spantsandboots,shenoticed,andthestenchinside

thebuildingtookherbreath.

Themarshalstoodheronherfeetandsheglaredathimbeforelooking

aroundher.Shewasinsidewhatwasapparentlythejail’soneandonlycell.

Thebarredprisonwasbareexceptforacotthatsatunderasmall,open

window.TheblanketlyingatthefootofthebedwasthreadbareandPilthy.It

alsocontributedgreatlytothefoulsmellintheair.Turningbacktofacethe

marshal,Abigailcrossedherarmsunderherbreasts.“Theseaccommodations

aren’tsuitableforawoman.Youcan’tkeepmehere.”

Hehadthegalltolaughatherbeforewalkingoutofthecelland

slammingthedoorhardenoughtomakeherjumpbeforehelockeditbehind

him.“Ajailisn’tahotel,MissThornton.You’llgetusedtoit.”

Shewatchedhimcrosstheroomtoastoveinthecorner,Pillingitwith

woodbeforestartingaPire.Herattledacoffeepot,makingasmuchnoiseas


possiblebeforeabandoningthestoveandwalkingtoasmalldesksittingby

thedoor.Heunhookedthegunbeltshejustnownoticedhangingaroundhis

hips,hangingitonthebackofthechair.Hisbackwastoherandeventhough

hewascoveredfromheadtotoeindirt,shehadtoadmithewasanimpressive

sight.

Hisshoulderswerewide;hiswaisttaperedtoslimhipsandstrong,Pirm

lookingthighs.HispantsPitsnuginplacessheshouldn’tbelookingbutwitha

backsidelikethat,itwashardnottostare.LordknewthemeninAtlanta

certainlylookednothinglikethemarshaldid.Theyactednothinglikehim

either.Theyhadmanners.Thismandidnot.

Heturnedandsatdowninthechair,tossedhishatontothedeskand

proppedhisbootedfeetupontheedge.Hishairwasdarkandinneedof

barbering.Theendshungnearlytohisshoulders.Theindentionsfromhishat

causedittolayslicktohishead.Foratownmarshal,heapparentlywasn’ttoo

concernedabouthispersonalgrooming.Notthatshecared.

Whenheclaspedhishandsbehindhisheadandstaredather,Abigail

raisedaneyebrowathim.Hisreturningsmilerankledhernerves.Thescraggly

beardcoveringhisfacedidn’thidethefacthewasprobablyveryattractive.

Fromacrosstheroomshecouldseethemischiefinhisgreeneyes.Well,the

onethatwasn’tswollenshut,thatis.Thepurplebruisingonhisfacedidn’t

concealthewarmhueofhistannedskinandlookingathisforearmsbelowthe

cuffsofhisrolledupshirtsleevesletherknowhespentmorehoursoutdoors

thanmost.

Thefactshefoundhimattractive,asscruffyashewas,galledher.“Areyou

comfortablenow?”

“Absolutely.IcanPinallyputmyfeetupandIhavethebestviewamanin

mypositioncanaskfor.Aprisoner.”


Hewasenjoyingthefacthelockedherup.Thepig.

Unwillingtolethimseehowworriedsheactuallywas,sheturnedher

backtohimandwalkedtothecot.Thesmellwasworsecloseup.Shegingerly

pickeduptheoffendingblanketwithtwoPingersandtossedittotheother

sideofthecell.Themattressunderneathwasstainedwithheavenknewwhat.

Sheshookherheadindisgust.“I’llneedcleanlinens,marshal.Thisbedisn’tPit

foradogletaloneahuman.”

“Neverheardanycomplaintsbeforenow.Besides,it’scleanerthanthe

Ploor.Let’snotforgetthisisajail,MissThornton.Itisn’tsetupforyour

comfort.You’llgetnospecialtreatmentfrommejustbecauseyou’rea—lady.”

ThewayhesaidladycausedAbigail’sirritationtogrowandshelooked

overhershoulderathim.Hewasstillsmiling.“AmItoassumemymealswill

consistofwaterandbread,then?”

“Youcanassumewhatyouwant.”

“Well,inthatcase,”shesaid,turningtofacehimandplacingbothhands

onherhips,“I’llassumeyou’reasbiganassasyouseem.”Hissmilefaltered

andAbigailgavehimoneinreturnthatmadehercheeksachebeforeshesat

downontheedgeofthecot.Shelaidherreticuleonherlapandstaredbackat

him,unmoving.

Thestaringcontestmayhavelastedallnightifthedoorhadn’topened

minuteslater.Amanwholookedverymuchlikethemarshalsteppedinside

andshutthedoorbehindhim,hisgazesearchingandPindingherinthecell.

Hesmiledandshookhishead.“VernontoldmeyoulockedupawomanbutI

hadtocomeseeformyself.”

“It’snicetoseeyoutoo,brother.”

Thisnewmanwaseverythingthemarshalwasn’t.Cleanandfreshly

barberedwithaneasygoingsmile.Abigailwatchedhimtakethevacantseat


acrossfromthedeskandsmiledathimagainwhenheturnedtolookather.

“Youcan’tkeepherlockedup,Morgan,”hesaid,nottakinghisgazefromher.

“ThetownsfolkwillhaveahissyPit.”

“Shestartedabrawlinthesaloon,amongotherthings.OncetheyPindout

whyshe’shere,they’llunderstand.”

Themansnortedalaugh.“Idoubtthat.I’msureEdnaisonherwayover

rightnowtogiveyouapieceofhermind.”

“She’lldothatregardlessofwhoIhavelockedupinhere.”Themarshal

lookedoveratherbeforeloweringhisfeettothePloorandstanding.“Come

on,”hesaid,gesturingtothedoortotheotherman.“Takeawalkwithme.I

suddenlyhaveaneedforsomefreshair.Itstinkslikeaweek’sworthofhorse

shitinhere.”

Whentheystartedforthedoor,Abigailroseaswell.“Marshal!Youcan’t

leavemeinhere.”

“SureIcan,”hesaid,lookingoverhisshoulderather.“You’relockedup,

remember?You’renotgoinganywhere.”Withapartingsmile,heleft,thedoor

closingbehindhim.

***

Morganwasn’tabletowipethegrinoffhisfaceuntilhesteppedoffthe

sidewalk.“Buymeadrink,Holden,”hesaid,slappinghisbrotherontheback.

“Andtellmewhat’sgoingonattheranchsinceI’vebeengone.”

Holdennoddedandtheywalkedinsilenceuntiltheyreachedthe

sidewalkinfrontofthesaloon.“Sameasitwaswhenyouleft.Well,exceptfor

Alex’sdesiretobeahorsewranglernowinsteadofacowpuncher.”

“Thatdidn’tlastlong.”


“Hercareerdecisionsneverlastlong.Ofcourse,she’sonlyeight.Ihopeby

thetimeshe’soldenoughtomarry,she’llbeinterestedinbabiesandahome

ofherown.”

Morganlaughedastheywalkedinside.“Idon’tthinkAlexevenknows

she’sagirl.”Thebarroomhadbeencleaned,somewhat.Thereweretwotables

nowstanding,bothofthemproppedupwithwoodenblocksunderthewobbly

legs.Mismatchedchairswereleaningagainstthewallandthemeninsidewere

stillthere,drinking,cussingandtellingliesasusual.

Reachingthelongbar,Vernongreetedthembothbeforepouringthema

drink,leavingthebottlebehind.“So,”Holdensaid,grinning.“What’sthestory

withthewoman?”

AbigailThornton’sfacecameinstantlytomindandMorganfoughtthe

urgetosmile.“Shedestroyedthebar.”

Holdenshookhishead.“Onelittlewomancausedallthisdamage?”He

turnedtolookatwhatremainedoftheDiamondBackSaloon.“Shemustbe

onehellofawildcattobreakallthisshit.”

Shewasawildcat,allright.Herclawscameoutthemomenthespoketo

herandshehadn’tretractedthemyet.ThePireinhereyeshadn’tdimmed

sincetheneither.Thescornhe’dseeninthemwasdirectedathimandhim

alone.“She’strouble.I’mjustmakingsureshedoesn’tgivemeanymore.”

“Andkeepingherlockedupwillaccomplishthat?”

“Itsurewill.”Morganknockedbackhisdrink,turnedandrePilledhis

glass.

Holdengrunted.“Iknowit’sbeenawhile,andyou’reusedtothe

companyofwhores,butcomeon,Morgan,surelyyouknowaladyisn’tgoing

tositquietlywhilelockedup.Thejailstinks,thebeddinghasbeentheresince


thebuildingwasbuilttenyearsagoandifshehastosurvivewithnothingbut

yourcooking,she’llbedeadinaweek.”

Morganglaredathisbrother.“I’mnotgoingtocoddleher.”

“CareifIdo?”Holdenasked,grinning.

ThelookonHolden’sfacetoldMorganexactlywhathisbrotherhadin

mind.ThefactWillowCreekwassoisolatedleftthementowomenratio

lopsided.Thereweremoresinglemeninthecountythanhecaredtothink

about.AndoncethosemenrealizedAbigailThorntonwasintown,they’dbe

Plockingtothejailindroves.Hewasn’tsurewhythethoughtofthosemen

knockingonhisdoorirritatedhimbutitdid.Hepushedthethoughtaway,

swallowedtherestofhisdrinkandturnedtoVernon.“WhatdoIoweyou,

Vern?”

“Onthehouse,marshal.Aftertheweekyou’vehad,youdeserveit.”

“Obliged,”hesaidbeforeturningbacktoHolden.“I’mgoingtoheadhome

andgetcleanedup.Wanttomeetmeatthehotelforsupper?”

“Can’tdo.IpromisedAlexI’dbehomebeforedark.”Theywalkedback

outside,stoppingtolookatthetownbeforeHoldensaid,“Iwillgograb

somethingdecenttoeatforyournewestprisonerthough.It’stheneighborly

thingtodo,afterall.”

Holdengrinnedbeforetakingoffforthehotelinajog.Morganwatched

himgoanddisappearinsidebeforelookingbackatthejail.Thesquatlittle

buildinghadseenbetterdaysandtheroofleakedmoreoftenthannot.

KeepingAbigailThorntonlockedupwasgoingtobemoretroublethanhe

wanted.Hecouldfeelitinhisbones.Holdenwasrightaboutonething.

Keepingherlockedupwouldcauseastir.Onehedidn’twanttodealwith.He

knewhehadtolethergocomemorningbutforsomereason,theverythought

ofdoingsoirritatedhim.


***

Abigailhaddozedoffwhilesittingupandwasstartledawakewhenthe

marshalcameback.Sheblinkedathimafewtimes,tryingtogethereyesto

adjustinthelowlightoftheroomandtellhershewasseeingwhatshe

thoughtshewas.

Themanwholefthoursbeforehadbeenacompleteunkemptmess.This

mancausedherpulsetorace.He’dlefthishatbehind,hisgunstillstrappedto

hisleanhips,andhestoodbythedoorstaringatherasifhe’dneverseenher

before.He’dwashedandreplacedhisdirtyclotheswithcleandenimtrousers

andabluechambrayshirt,thecuffsonceagainrolleduptohiselbows.Hewas

clean-shavenandjustasshe’dsuspected,themarshalwasahandsomeman.

Well,onceyouoverlookedthebustedlipandswolleneye.Takinginhis

features,sherealizedhewasmuchmorehandsomethanhisbrother,Holden,

whohadbroughtheramealfromthehotel.Toobadthemarshal’sloathsome

attitudewassounforgiving.

She’dhadalongtimetothinkabouthersituationonceheleftandknew,

likeitornot,shewasstuckinWillowCreek.Shehadnomoneytobuyaticket

forthestagecoachandherpleastothedriverwouldbeuselessnow.She’d

goneasfarasshecouldandshe’dhavetostartplanningalloveragain.The

potentialhusbandshe’dmanagedtoarrangeforwasgone.Ifthemarshallet

heroutofthejail,wherewouldshego?Shedidn’tevenhaveenoughmoneyto

buyadecentmeal,letaloneaplacetobeddownforthenight.ThePilthy

mattressunderherwasbetterthanthecoldgroundorsomeone’sbarn,ifshe

wereluckyenoughtosneakinsideone.Thatwasassumingthemarshallether

go.


Thereasonshe’dspentthelastfourmonthsrunningcausedanervous

shivertoraceupherspine.Asmuchasshedislikedbeinglockedup,she

realizedwithsuddenclaritythatbeingunderthemarshal’swatchfuleyewas

probablythesafestoptionshehad.Aslongasshewashisprisoner,she’dbe

safe.EvenifFletcherfoundher,hewouldn’tbeabletodomuchaboutit.She

hoped.

Whenthemarshalmadenoattempttomoveorspeak,shestood.“Well?”

“Wellwhat?”

Abigailrolledhereyes.“Whyareyoustaringatme?”

Hetiltedhisheadtoonesideandthelookonhisfacewasoneof

irritation.“I’mtryingtodecidewhattodowithyou.”

Whenherheartgaveanotherlittlejump,Abigailwalkedtothecelldoor.If

helethergonow,whatwouldshedo?Probablydieaslow,agonizingdeathat

Fletcher’shands.Sheshudderedatthethoughtandknewsheonlyhadone

optionatthemoment.Shehadtomakesurehekeptherlockedup.

Shesmiledtohideheruneaseandtriedtobaithimintokeepingher

behindbars.“What?Youmeanyouactuallyhaveaheartandaregoingtolet

mego?Hownobleofyou.”

Hegrinnedandrubbedhisjaw.Hergazewasdrawntohismouththen

andshefoundherselfstaring.Howcouldlipsthatplumpspillthevenomthe

marshalhadspewedatheroverthecourseoftheday?

“Ididn’tsayIwasgoingtoletyougo.”

Abigailtorehergazefromhismouthwhenhespokeandbitherlipto

keepfromsmilingatwhathe’dsaid.Aslongasshecouldannoyhimenoughto

keepherlockedupuntilshecouldPigureoutwhattodo,shewouldatleast

haveadecentmealandaplacetosleep.“I’msurethinkingforyourselfisa


difPicultprocess,marshal,butdomakeitquick.IneedtousetheprivyasI’ve

yetbeentakentodoso.”

“There’sapotunderthebed.Helpyourself.”

Abigaillookedbackatthecotandbentatthewaist.Sureenough,there

wasapotunderthebed,itsgrimysidesbrownwithLordknewwhat.She

straightenedandthrewhimascaldinglook.“Youcan’tpossiblyexpectmeto

usethatPilthything.”

Heshruggedashoulderbeforeleaningbackagainstthewall.“Ihaven’t

hadanyothercomplaints.”

“Ofcoursenot.Yourusualguestsareprobablyallfoulcreaturesas

obnoxiousasyourself.”TheamusedtwinkleinhiseyesfadedthenandAbigail

wonderedifshe’dgonetoofar.Hewasn’taterribleperson,orsohisbrother

hadsaid.HoldenAverywasthegentlemanhisbrotherwasnot.Themarshal,

Morgan,Holdenhadtoldher,wasascussedasanoldmuleandfromwhat

she’dseen,sheknewhewasright.Ofcourse,itcouldallbeanact.Hewasthe

townmarshal,afterall.Hewassupposedtobeamanstrongerthanmost,able

toprotectthecitizensofthetown.Hemaybearealpussycatunderthathard

exterior.Somehowshedoubtedit.“Well,”shesaid,“whileyoudecidewhatto

dowithme,couldyouPinditinthatgrizzledheartofyourstoPindmedecent

linens?”

Hestudiedherforlongminutes,hisgazetravelingoverthelengthofher

beforehepushedawayfromthewall.Whenhecrossedtheroom,shebacked

awayfromthedoor.Shewasstunnedwhenheunlockeditandhelditwide.

Fearcrawledintoherthroatandshehadtoswallowadesperatepleato

remaininhiscustody.“Whatareyoudoing?”

“Ican’tleaveyouinhereasmuchasI’dliketodojustthat.”


Abigailwasstunned.Shewassurehe’dkeepherlockedupuntilshewas

oldandgrayoutofpurespite.“You’relettingmego?”sheasked,quietly.

Helaughed.“Notonyourlife,sweetheart.”

HerreliefwasPleeting.Shestaredathim,confused.“Thenwhatareyou

doing?”

Themarshalleanedagainstthecelldoor,hisshoulderproppedagainst

themetalframe.“Halfthetownknowsyou’relockedupinhereandI’mnot

spendingthenightinthatoldchairbehindthedesktoseethatyouaren’t

accostedbythosedrunksoveratthesaloon.”Hesmiledandthelookinhis

eyestoldherthesituationwasn’tgoingtobemuchbetter.“Ihavenooption

buttotakeyouhomewithme.”

Abigail’sheartfrozeforabriefsecondbeforeitstutteredintoaregular

beatagain.Takeherhome?Withhim!“Excuseme?Whatdoyoumean,‘take

mehomewithyou?’”

“JustwhatIsaid.There’snolockonthejaildoor.”

“So?”

“So,anyonecanwalkinfromthestreet.”

Abigailimaginedjustthat.WhatifFletchermanagedtoPindherquicker

thansheassumedhewouldandjustwalkedrightin,somehowgotthecell

dooropenandtookher?Worseyet,whatifhejustshotherthemomenthe

laideyesonher,noonethewiseruntiltheyfoundherbloodybodyonthe

PilthyPloorcomemorning.Ashudderranthroughherandsheswallowedthe

feartheimagesconjured.

“Youallright?”

Hisvoicestartledher.Abigailfocusedhergazeonhisfaceandtriedto

smile.Shefailedhorribly.“Fine.Why?”


“Becauseyou’repaleasdeathallofasudden,that’swhy.”Hemoved

towardherandshesteppedback.“What’swrong?”

“Nothing,”shelied.

Sheknewhedidn’tbelieveherbythelookonhisface.Shesmiledagain

andhopedthisattemptwasmoreconvincing.Sheassumeditwaswhenhe

Pinallynoddedhisheadandwalkedawayfromthecell.“Grabyourbagand

let’sgo.”

Abigailregardedhisretreatingbackandthesituationhewascreating.

Howcouldshegohomewithhim?Didhemeanthatliterally?“Excuseme,

marshal—”

“Morgan.”

“What?”

Heturnedtofaceheroncehereachedhisdesk.“MynameisMorgan.”

“Iknowthat,”shesaid,blushing.“Yourbrothertoldme.”

“Thenuseit.”

“Idon’tthinkoursituationrequiressuchfamiliarterms,doyou?”

Heturneddownthewickonthelanternbyhisdeskbeforeturningback

tofaceher.“Youcancallmeanythingyoulike,MissThornton,butsinceyou’ll

belivinginmyhouse,Ididn’tthinkwhattocallmewouldbeyouronly

concern.”

“Itisn’t.”ThepossibilityofFletcherPindingherwasstillfreshonhermind

andAbigailrealizedthatifsheweresafeinthejail,she’dbemoresafeinthe

marshal’shome,butthatwouldstirupmoretroublethanshedaredtothink

about.FindingahusbandwouldbedifPicultifeverymanintownknewshe’d

beenlockedup.Worseyet,thatshe’dbeenincarceratedinsidethemarshal’s

home.Sheheldbackadesperatesigh.Thiswasturningintoanightmare.“I


can’tstaywithyouinyourhome.”Unless…Abigailheldbackasmile.“Unless

ofcourse,yourwifeisthere.”

“Idon’thaveawife.”

Abigail’sconcernoverPindingahusbandwhilestayinginthemarshal’s

homewasoverpoweredbythereliefthatMorganwasn’tmarried.Shewasn’t

surewhyshecared,butshedid.Shewasembarrassedamomentlaterwhen

sherealizedsheknewtheanswer.OfallthemeninWillowCreek,theoneman

whocouldprotectherfromFletcherwasthemarshal.

Shehopedsincehe’dextinguishedthelamphecouldn’tseetheblotchy

skinonhernecksheknewwasthere.Shefelthowheatedherfacewasand

knewshewasblushing.Hewasstaringather,asmallgrincurvinghislips.

Whetherhecouldseeherstainedcheeksornot,heknewwhatshewas

thinking.Shestraightenedhershouldersandstaredhimintheeyes.“Andthat

istheexactreasonIcan’tbeinyourhome.Myreputationwouldn’tsurvivethe

scandal.”

Morganleanedahipagainstthesideofthedeskandcrossedhisarms

overhischest.“Yourreputationisalreadyshotalltohell.Startingabrawlin

thesaloonandbeingarrestedforitdidthat.Asforyoubeinginmyhouse,I

wouldbetmysalarythetownsfolkwillthinkitanunusualactofkindnesson

mypart.”

Ofcoursetheywould,shethought,glumly.Hermiserywould

undoubtedlymakehimlooklikeasaint.Whenhestoodandtoldhertograb

herbagshesighedanddidjustthat.Regardlessofhowitlooked,shereally

didn’twanttostayinthatsmellycellanylonger.Andshereallydidn’twantto

stayinsidethejailalone.

Grabbingherreticuleshewalkedoutofthecell.“Ileftasmalltravelbag

atthestagecoachstationwhenIarrivedintown.”


“Ihaveitbackatthehouse.”

Hereyeswidenedabit.“Youdo?”

Henodded.“Emmett,fromoveratthestation,broughtittomeanhour

ago.”

“Isee.”Lookingaroundthetinycelloncemore,Abigailtookadeepbreath

andwalkedoutofthemainroom.Shewasn’tsurewhatthemarshal’smotives

wereexactlybutatthemomentshewasn’tgoingtoargue.Beingaloneinthe

jailwasn’therideaofagoodtime.Themomenthe’dleftwithhisbrother,her

anxietyhadnearlychokedher.She’dbeengratefulwhenHoldenreturned.

He’donlybroughthersomethingtoeatbuthe’dstayedandtalkedwithher

justsoshe’dhavethecompany.

Whenshereachedthedoor,themarshalopeneditandusheredherout

ontothewoodenwalkway.Itwasn’tyetfulldarkbuttheskywasaninkyblue-

black.Afewstarscouldbeseenandthemoonwasplayinghideandseekwith

theclouds.Thewindwasblowing,causingaslightbreezetodancearoundthe

hemofherdress.

Thestreetsweredesertedandonlyafewlightsglowedbehindthe

windowsofthebusinessesandhomesintown.Theyturnedandstarteddown

thewalkwayawayfromthecenteroftownandAbigailwalkedbesideMorgan

insilenceuntiltheyreachedtheendofthestreet.Thehousesittingtherewas

nothinglikewhatsheexpected.NotthatsheknewmuchaboutMarshalAvery

butshe’dpicturedhiminsomederelictcabinwithafewmangydogslittering

thedirtyard.Thiswasanythingbut.“Thisiswhereyoulive?”sheasked,

staringupatthetwo-storyhome.Itwaswhite,fromwhatshecouldtell,with

darkshuttersateverywindow.Alongporchranthelengthofthehouse,a

swingswayinginthebreezeononeend.Flowersdottedthewalkwayandthe

grasswasasgreenasanyshe’deverseen.


“Thisisit,”hesaid,openingthegatethatsurroundedthepropertyand

motionedforhertogothrough.

Abigailwalkedupthestonewalkwayinstunnedsilence.Whenthey

ascendedthestepsandstoppedinfrontofthedoorsheturnedtolookathim.

“Ihadnoideaatownmarshalmadesomuchmoneyastoaffordahomelike

this.”

Morganlaughedandopenedthefrontdoor.“Theydon’t.”Heusheredher

insidewithahandtoherlowerback.Whenheclosedthedoorbehindhim,

Abigailtriedtoseeinthedarkenedinterior.Shestoodwhereshewasuntila

lightPlickeredtoherleft.Morganwasthere,lightingalamp,andwhenthe

glowilluminatedhisface,herbreathcaught.Assthathewasattimes,shehad

toadmit,hewasquitebreathtaking.Hislong,darkhairandperpetualsmirk

gavehimaroguishlook.Oneshewasn’timmuneto,apparently.Herpulse

leapedwhenheturnedtofaceherandshehadtosuckinaquickbreathtoPill

herlungswithair.

Shelookedaway,givingthehouseanotherglance.Highglosshardwood

Ploors,expensiverugsandfurniturePilledthesittingroomMorganwas

standingin.ThehallwaystairsandbanisterwasaPinelydetailedworkofart.

Therailingscarvedintointricatedesignsshe’dseenonlyoncebeforeinthe

homeofabankerinAtlanta.Shecouldonlyimaginewhattherestofthehouse

lookedlike.

WhenMorganjoinedherinthehallwiththelamphe’dlitinhand,he

indicatedthestairswithhisarmandshegavehimabriefglancebefore

startinguptothesecondPloor.Hefollowedbehindherinsilenceandwhen

shereachedtheupperlanding,heshowedhertoaroomattheendofthehall.

Itwasrichlyappointedwithlaceatthewindows.Thefurniturewasofdark


woodandthebedthebiggestshe’deverseen.Atallscreenblockedoffone

corneroftheroomandshewonderedwhatwasthere.

Morganwalkedfartherintotheroomandsatthelamponthetablebythe

bed.“There’scleanwaterandwashingclothesbehindthescreen.Drying

clothesandsuchintheclosetbythewashroom.That’sthelastdooronthe

rightifyoupreferabath.”

“Abath,”shesaid,shocked.“There’sabathinthishouse?”

Hegrinned.“Thereis.It’srarelyusedbutit’sthereifyoufeeltheneed.

You’llhavetolighttheboilertoheatthewaterthough.Thetankshouldbe

full.”

Abigailstaredathim,wonderingwhothismanreallywas.She’dnever

beenarrestedbeforebutshewouldbeteverypossessionsheownedno

prisonerwastreatedlikethis.Lacybedroomsandheatedbathsinarealtub?

Wasshedreaming?Wasshebackinthatstinkycellimaginingallthis?When

hecrossedtheroomandstoppedinfrontofher,thescentofsundriedclothes

andgunoilPilledhersenses.Theneedtotouchhim,toseeifhewasreal,was

strong.Sheresistedandstaredupathiminstead.

“Nowdon’ttryanythingstupid,likesneakingawayinthemiddleofthe

night.Icantrackanyone,anywhere,evenalittlethinglikeyou.”

Sherolledhereyes.“Iwasn’tgoingtorun.”

“Good.Seethatyourememberthat.Ican’tlockyouintheroombutifI

haveto,Icantieyoutothebed.”Hegrinneddownatherandthelookinhis

eyestoldherhewasthinkingofjustthat.“Onsecondthought,maybeI

should.”

“You’lldonosuchthing,”shesaid,walkingaroundhimtolayherreticule

onthebed.Sheturnedtolookathimandcrossedherarmsunderherbreasts.


Hegrinnedatherbeforewalkingtothedoor.“Onsecondthought,ifyou

trytoleave,I’lljustmakeyousleepwithmeinstead.”

Abigailgaspedathispartingwordsandstoodstaringatthedoorwhenhe

closeditbehindhim.


ChapterThree

Thesunwasbarelyupandafterarestlessnightoftossingandturning,

listeningforthesoundofAbigail’sfootstepsinthehallway,Morgandidn’tfeel

anymorerestedthanhehadwhenhe’dgottenbackintotown.Thedecisionto

keepherinthehousewithhimseemedlikeabadideauntilthescentof

cookingmeatPilledtheair.

Hestoodanddressed,washedhisfaceandcleanedhisteethbefore

venturingoutintothehallanddownthebackstairstothekitchen.Shewas

there,anoldPloursacktiedaroundhertinywaistasshestoodbythestove

stirringsomething.ThescentofcoffeePilledtheair,alongwithrealfood,and

hisstomachgrumbledinadamantdemandtopartakeinwhatsheoffered.

Whenshebenttotakesomethingfromtheoven,herroundedbottomupinthe

air,hisgroindemandedhetakeher.Notthatshe’doffered.Yet.

“IthinkthisisthePirsttimeaprisonerhascookedforme.Imayhaveto

reduceyoursentence,Abigail.”

“ThatisMissThornton,toyou,marshal,andIcookedformyself.”She

turned,apanoffatPluffybiscuitsinherhandandthescentalonecausedhis

stomachtorumbleagain.“YoucanPixyourownbreakfast.”

Morgangrinnedandpulledouthischair,sittingdownandgrabbingthe

oneplatehesawonthetable.Shegavehimapeevedlookbeforeplacingthe

biscuitsonthetablewithathumpandturnedbacktothestove.Scrambled

eggsandbaconfollowedandgravysothickhismouthwatered.Hecouldn’t

rememberthelasttimehe’deatenahomecookedmealinhisownhouse.

NeveronePixedbyagood-lookingwoman,that’sforsure.ThespreadAbigail


placedbeforehimwasPitforaking,tohisestimation,andwhenshegrabbed

anotherplateoffthesideboard,hePilledhisownplate.

Neithersaidawordwhiletheyate.Morgantuckedintohisfoodlikea

manstarvedandhadseconds,cleaningmostoftheplatters.He’dbeashamed

ofhimselfifhehadn’tjustspentaweeksurvivingoffofdriedbeefjerkyand

water.

WhenhisstomachwasfullandhiscoffeecupPilledtothebrimagain,he

leanedbackinhischairandwatchedhereat.Herplatewasbarelytouched.In

thesoftlightcomingfromthewindows,hecouldseefaintpurplesmudges

underhereyes.Shelookedtired.Worndown,somehow.Thereasonshewas

herecamebacktomindandheleanedforward,proppinghiselbowsonthe

tableandhecuppedhishandsaroundhiscoffeemug.“Whatwereyoudoing

inthesaloon?”

Sheglancedathimandlookedbackdownatherplateagainbeforelaying

herforkonthetable.“Iwaslookingforthestagecoachdriver.Itoldyouthat

yesterday.”

“Why?”

“Whywhat?”

“WhywereyoulookingforPete?”

Shesighedandpushedherplateaway,notsayinganythingforlong

minutes.Whenshesaid,“Iwassupposedtobemarried,”Morgannearly

chokedonhiscoffee.

“Married?ToPete?”heasked,louderthanheintended.

Shethrewhimalookbeforerollinghereyes.“No.Nothim.”

“Who?”

“Whydoesitmatter?”


“Itdoesn’t,”hesaid,butthatwasn’tthecompletetruth.Thethoughtof

hergettingmarrieddidmatter.Somewhat.Why,hedidn’tcaretothinkabout.

Takingasipfromhismug,heletthesilencestretchbeforesaying,“Whowere

yousupposedtomarry?”

“FlynnHaggard.”

Hedidchokethen.Hecoughedandsputteredbeforecatchingenoughair

tobreathenormallyagain.Shewasstaringathim,armsfoldedunderher

breastswhenhe’dcaughthisbreathandlookedbackather.“FlynnHaggard?”

Hefrowned.“Whyintheworldwouldyouwanttomarryhim?”

“Whydoesitmatter?Heapparentlyisn’tavailabletomarrymenowso

it’samutepoint.”

Wasn’tavailable…Morganlaughedatthatstatement.Flynnwasn’t

available,allright.Heknewthatforafact.He’darrestedthemanforcattle

rustlingandpersonallyturnedhimovertothecircuitcourtjudgetwoweeks

ago.ThefactFlynnwasgettingmarrieddidn’tsurprisehim.Mostmenfrom

townsentoffforbridesbutthosesamemenalwaysleteveryoneknow.Flynn

hadn’tsaidaword.“HowdidyoumeetFlynn?”

“Ihaven’t.Themarriagewasarrangedthroughtheagency.Hewas

supposedtomeetmeatthestagecoachstation.WhenIaskedabouthim,Iwas

toldhewasarrestedandhadbeentakentoMissoula.That’swhenIwentto

Pindthestagecoachdriver.”

“AndstartedabrawlandnearlygotmyfacepermanentlydisPigured.”

“Thatwasn’tmyfault,”shesaid,sittingupstraightinherchair,herhands

clenchedintoPists.“ThatawfulmanwhocameinthoughtIwasawhoreand

started…Well,hegrabbedmeandwouldn’tletmego.Whenhetossedmeover

hisshoulderandstartedforthestairs,that’swheneverythingwentwrong.”


Morganlistenedtohervividaccountofwhathappenedinsidethesaloon

beforehearrived.ThePightreallywasn’therfaultbut,justlikeVernonhad

said,ifshehadn’tbeeninthesaloon,noneofitwouldhavehappened.He

sighedandleanedbackinhischair.“Fine.Youdidn’tpersonallystartthebrawl

butyoubeinginsidethesaloondid.”

Shegapedathim,herprettylittlemouthopen.ThoughtsPlewathim

unbiddenatthesight,thoughtsthatinvolvedthembothnakedandthoselush

lipscurledaroundhiscock.Heblinkedandlookedawaytodistracthimself.He

grabbedhiscoffeeandburnthistonguewhenhegulpeditdown.“So,”hesaid,

coughingtoclearhisthroat.“YoucametoWillowCreektobemarriedand

foundyourgroomgone.WhatdidPetehavetodowithallthis?”

Shesighed.“Iwashopinghecouldtakemetothenexttown.”

“Hecouldhavedonethattoday.”

“Ididn’twanttostayuntiltoday.”

Shedidn’twanttostay?Morganstaredatherandimaginedhowthings

wouldhavebeenuponhisreturnifshehadn’tbeenthere.He’dhavehadhis

liquor,hisfavoritewhorefromMissAngelina’sgirlsandbeenblessedly

content.Well,untilthismorning,thatis.Thismorning,thingswouldhavebeen

thesameastheywereeveryweek.He’dwake,Pixabarelyeatablebreakfast,

walkthetownandsitinthejail,staringoutthewindowuntilhegottoo

restless,andwalkedthetownagain.He’dhavedonethatuntilthesunwent

down,camehome,ateagainandgonetobed,ortothesaloontoslakehis

lonelinesswithoneofthegirls,andstartedthesamedullroutineallover

againthenextday.

Butithadn’tbeensodullasthat.No,he’dwalkedintothatsaloonandgot

anarmfulofAbigailThornton,hadhisfacesmashedin,andwoketoPindher

straddlinghiships.Heheldbackasmileatthatlovelymemory.Hisentire


eveninghadbeensofarfromthenormalhecouldn’thelpbutbegrateful.Of

course,thatdidn’tmeanheenjoyedhersharptongueorherbitingremarks.

Knowingwhathadcausedhersurlyattitude,though,hecouldunderstandit.

HerePilledhiscoffeemugandtoppedhersoffwithwhatremained.“So

whatareyougoingtodonow?Imean,onceIletyououtofjail,thatis?”He

grinnedandwatchedherfaceturnred.

Abigailhadtowonderifhedeliberatelytriedtoprovokeher.Thewayhe

wassmilingledhertobelievehedid.Heenjoyedrilingher.Grabbingherplate,

sherosefromherseatandwalkedtothecounterandthewashtubs.“Well,

sinceIwon’tbemarryingFlynn,I’llbelookingforanewhusband.”Sheturned

andofferedhimasmile.“Isyourbrother,Holden,married?”

***

Theexpressiononhisfacewaspriceless.Abigailwantedtolaughbut

refrainedfromdoingso.Henarrowedhiseyesatherandpinchedhislips

tightlytogetherwhileaslightredtintcoveredhischeeks.DidMarshalAvery

notlikethefactshewantedtomarryhisbrother?Orwasitthefactshe

wantedtomarryatall?OnlyonewaytoPindout.“Ifheis,thenI’msureyou

canhelpmePindasuitableprospect.You’reboundtoknoweverysingleman

inthecounty.”

“Ido,”hesaid.“Andthey’reallmarried.”

Liar.Abigailwalkedbacktothetable,removingthedirtydishesand

carryingthemoneatatimetothecounter.Shekeptthesmilewantingtoform

atbayanddidn’tdarelookathim.“Thereisn’tanunmarriedmaninallof

WillowCreek?”


Hedidn’tanswerforlongminutesthenPinallysmiled.“Actuallythereis.

JarvisMcNallyissingle.He’sgotapigfarmacouplemilesfromtown.He’s

beenwidowedforafewyearsnow.I’msurehe’dtaketoyouifyoucookedhim

mealsliketheoneyoucookedforme.Hell,hemightevenletyousleepinthe

houseifyouaskhimrealnice.”

Abigailignoredthe“cookingamealforhim”bitandlatchedontothe

otherinstead.“Sleepinthehouse?”

Henodded.“He’sabitafraidofwomen.”

“Afraidof…”Abigailshookherheadandscowledathim.“Ifhewas

married,whywouldhebeafraidofwomen?”

“YounevermetFrieda.”Heshuddered.“Hell,Iwasafraidofher.”

Abigailknewhewasjoshingheranddidn’tgiveintothetemptationof

tellinghimso.Instead,shestoodbehindherchairandasked,“Howoldishe?

Canhestillfatherchildren?”

Thelookonhisfacechangedallofasuddenandsomethinginhiseyeslet

herknowwhathewasthinking.Sheknewthatinthatmoment,toMorgan

Avery,shewasstandinginhiskitcheninnothingbutherhairpins.Hisgaze

traveledthelengthofher,lingeringonherbreastsandshefelthernipples

tighteninresponse.Maybethethoughtofmarryingsomeoneintownirked

himforotherreasons.Yes,becausehe’dprobablyratherhaveyouhere

cookingandwarminghisbedforhimthanoffdoingthesameforsomeone

else.

Thethoughtirritatedher.Marriagewasmorethancookingandseeingto

aman’sneedsdayandnightbutthemalepopulationdidn’tseeitthatwayand

probablyneverwould.Sheknewheroptionswerefewregardlessofherown

desires.Eithershemarriedsomeoneinthistown,andfast,orshe’dhaveto

moveon.Doingthelatterwouldcauseproblemsasherfundsweredowntoa


fewcoins.ShehadnochoicebuttomarrysomeonebeforeFletcherfoundher

andsheknewhewould.She’dbarelymanagedtogetawayfromhimin

Tucson.Posingasaboyandstowingawayonthetrainweretheonlythings

thatsavedher.

LookingatMarshalAvery,AbigailknewthechancesofPindingsomeone

whowaspleasingtotheeyewereslimtonone.Mostmen,theonessheknew

couldprotecther,wereeitherwork-worn,oldoralreadymarried.Morgan

Averywasneitherofthosethings.Hewasstronglybuilt,toweredovermost

othermen,lookedtobeinhisearlythirtiesandhewasatownmarshal.He

heldapositionthatguaranteedprotectionandprotectioniswhatsheneeded.

WhenFletcherfoundher,she’dneedsomeonetostandupforherandwho

betterthanthelocallawman?Toobadhedidn’tseemtolikehermuch.He

wouldhavebeentheperfectcandidateforthejob.Assumingshecouldever

getpasthisbristlyattitude.

Slidingbackintoherseat,shesmiledathim.Seeinghimsospeechless

waspleasinginmorewaysthanone.Goadinghimintothinkingnaughtythings

evenmoreso.“Beddingamanwouldbeamorepleasingtaskifhewereniceto

lookupon.Ican’timaginebaringmybodytosomeonewhois—lessthan

desirable.IsthisMr.McNallyyoungorold?”

SomethinginMorgan’seyesgaveAbigailsomuchpleasureshebitthe

insideofhercheektokeepfromlaughing.Helookeddazed,hisgazeonce

againrestingonherbreasts.Hesatramrodstraight,hisnostrilsPlaringslightly

andlookedtransPixedonherPlesh.HewasthinkingaboutthisMcNallyman

seeinghernaked,shejustknewhewas.Sheleanedforward,pushingher

breastsupbycrossingherarmsunderthem.“Ofcourse,seeinghowyou’re

unmarried,Iwouldn’thaveanyobjectionstoyoutakingonthetaskof

marryingme.I’dhavenoproblemcrawlingnakedintoyourbed,marshal.”


Helookedupquicklythen,shockregisteringonhisface.Hercomposure

brokeandshegrinned.“Justsomethingtothinkabout,”shesaid.“I’msurewe

couldreachsomearrangement.I’venothadamaninagessopleasemakea

decisionsoon.Awomanhasneeds,too.”

Abigailroseandwalkedbacktothesink.Shewasbarelyableto

concentrateonthedirtydishesforwantingtoturnandlookatMorgan.She

knewhe’dbethelastpersonintowntoagreetomarryherbutthelookonhis

facehadbroughtherthePirstbitofmirthshe’dhadinlongerthanshewanted

tothinkabout.Whenhestoodandcrossedtheroomtoher,leaningcloseto

herback,shesuckedinaquietbreath.Shehadn’tliedwhenshesaidawoman

hadneeds.Shedid.ShemissedhavingamaninherbedandhavingMorganso

closetohersentshiversracingupherspine.

Heleanedin,trappingherbodyagainstthecabinetbyplacingbothhands

oneithersideofher.Shecouldsmellthesoaponhisskinandburiedunder

whatsheknewwasdistinctlyhim,thefainthintofgunoil.MorganAverywas

everybitthekindofmanshe’dfancy.Strong,arrogantandjustalittlebit

demanding.Turningherheadtolookathim,shewastakenabackbythesmile

onhisface.

“Anytimeyoufancycrawlingintomybed,MissThornton,feelmorethan

welcometodoso.Hell,I’llmarryyoumyselfifthat’swhatittakes.I’vedone

worsethingsinlifeandarashdecisionusuallyendsupworkingoutinthe

longrun.Crawlingbetweenyourthighseverynightwouldbenoburden

whatsoever.”

Abigailwasstunnedwhenheleanedcloserandshefelttheproofofhis

claimstabbingatherbackside.Hewasarousedandthelookonhisface

confusedher.Washeseriousaboutthemarriage?Whenheleanedtowardher,

anglinghisheadtokissher,sherealizedhemusthavebeen.


Thekissshockedherformorereasonsthanone.Whatshethoughtwould

bealightteasingplayoflipsturnedouttobesosoulstealing,shehadtogrip

thecabinetedgetokeepfromfalling.MorganAverykissedlikehisworldwas

ending.Hedevouredwithasinglemindedness,histongueforcedintoher

mouthtodominateandclaimpossession.

Hisarmsbandedaroundherwaist,hisbodyPlushagainstherbackandat

theoddangle,Abigailcouldn’tseemtogetcloseenough.Shetriedtoturnbut

hepulledaway,herbottomlipcaughtbetweenhisteethforabriefsecond

beforeheletgoofher.

Dazed,shewatchedhimturnandwalkoutoftheroom,hisfootsteps

creakingonthestairsmomentslater.Whatthehellhadjusthappened?Didhis

kisspromisethingsshe’donlyhalf-heartedlymeant?

Raisingahandtoherlips,Abigailthoughtbackovertheirconversation.

Hadshesaidsomethingtomakehimthinkshewasaskingtomarryhim?

She’dsaiditallwithasmile,ateasinglilttohervoice.Surelyheknewthat.

ThethoughtofmarryinghimPilledherheadthenandsherealizedthethought

wasn’taburden.Shehadn’tbeenlyingaboutcrawlingintohisbed.Surehe

wasanassattimesbuthewaspleasingtolookat.Evenasscruffyashewas

thePirsttimeshe’dseenhim,she’dbeenattractedtohim.Shecouldonly

imaginewhathelookedlikestrippedbare.Apleasantshudderwrackedher

bodythenandsheturnedbacktothedishes.Shehadtimetothinkonthat

later.Forallsheknew,he’dbeenteasingherback.Therewaslittleusein

gettingworkedupoversomethingthatwouldn’thappenanyway.Ofcourse,

justbecauseshedidn’tmarrythemarshaldidn’tmeanshecouldn’tslakeher

desireforhim.Nooneeveraccusedherofbeinganangel.Shecouldseduce

theoppositesexalongwiththebestofthemandwithMorganAvery,the


desiretobejustalittlebitwantonwasapleasingprospect.He’dhaveno

aversiontoit.He’dalreadysaidasmuch.

Shesmiledasshebegancleaningupthebreakfastdishes.Maybetonight

she’dseehowfarshecouldpushhim.Theworsethatwouldhappenwouldbe

himturningherdownandshedidn’tseethathappening.He’dadmittedto

wantingherandlosingherselfforawhileinhisarmswouldn’tchange

anything.Fletcherwasstillafterher,shewasstillwithoutahusband,and

MorganAverywasstillheronlyprotector.Besides,ifsheweregoingtodie

soon,shemightaswellenjoyherlastdays.MorganAverywassuretomake

themenjoyable.Amanthatvirilecouldn’thelpbutmakethemso.


ChapterFour

Thewalktothejailwaslessthanenjoyable.Abigail’splayfulmoodfrom

breakfasthadvanishedintheknowledgeMorganwasgoingtolockherback

up.He’dseriouslythoughtafterleavingherinthekitchenearliertojustlether

gobutasmallvoiceinthebackofhisheadtoldhimthatwouldbeamistake.

HereagernesstomarryhadbeenhisPirstcluesomethingwasn’tquite

rightwithher.Sheseemedwillingtomarryjustaboutanyone,himself

included,whichthrewoffallsortsofwarningbells.Hedidn’tknowwhyhe

thoughtso,butMissThorntonwashidingsomething.Sheseemedalmost

desperateattimesandthatwaswhenhedecidedtokeepherwithhiminstead

oflettinghergo.Ofcourse,tellingherhewaskeepingherinjailhadn’tgone

oververywell.

Gettingheroutofthehousehadbeeneasy.Hejusttoldhertofollowhim

andshehad.Whensheaskedwheretheyweregoingandhetoldhertojail,

she’dexplodedintoarantingrage.Whentheystoppedinfrontofthejailand

heopenedthedoorforher,thelookonherfaceshouldhavekilledhimwhere

hestood.Inaninstant,sheturnedhostile.Hercomposuresnappedandthe

biting,clawinghellcatfromthedaybeforereturned.“I’llbebackassoonasI

can,Abigail,nowstopPightingme.”

Shekickedhimforhistroublewhenheguidedhertothecell.“Youarea

loathsomecreature,MorganAvery!There’snowonderyou’restillsingle.I

can’timagineanywomaninherrightmindwouldwanttomarryyou.”

Hegrinnedandslammedthecelldoorshutwithaclang.“Youdo,ifI

heardyoucorrectlythismorning.Infact,judgingthatkiss,youwerereadyto

jumpintomybedthatveryinstant.Nowbeagoodgirland…”Helooked


aroundthecellbeforeshrugging.“Justsittight.I’llbebacksoonandwe’lltalk

aboutthisweddingyou’resodeterminedtohave.”

“Letmeoutofhere,Morgan!Ihaven’tdoneanythingtodeservetobein

hereandyouknowit.”

“We’lltalkaboutitlater,dear.”Hegrinnedatherbeforerightinghishat

andwalkingtothedoorandoutontothesidewalk.Hershoutscouldbeheard

allthewaythroughtownandheignoredthemashenearedtheliverystable.

Saddlinghishorse,hemadequickworkofitandheadedfortheranch.

Thevalleyleadingoutoftowngaveaclearviewallthewaytothe

mountainsinthedistance.Hepaidlittleattentiontothebuddinglifespring

usuallybroughtwithit.HismindwastooclutteredwiththoughtsofAbigail.

Whenhereachedtheranch,ridingunderthemetalarchedentranceat

thegate,heinhaledadeepbreath.Freshgrass,horsesandwoodsmoke

remindedhimofachildhoodspentroamingthepasturesandlearninghowto

wranglehorses.Seeingtheranchhouse,withitsblueshutteredwindowsand

brightPlowersdottedalongthewalkwaybroughtthoughtsofhismotherto

mind.Itwasalsoareminderofhisfather’sdeclininghealthsinceherpassing.

Thatwasthemainreasonhestayedintown.Thememorieswerelesspainful

ifhedidn’thaveadailyreminderofthem.

Ridingtowardthebarn,hegrinnedashewatchedAlex,hiseight-year-old

niece,inthecorraltryingtolassoapony.Hejumpedfromhishorse,handing

offthereinstooneofthehiredhandsbeforewalkingtothefence.“You’vegot

togetcloserthanthat,sweetpea.”

Alexturnedtolookathimandherfacelitup.Shegrinned,droppedthe

lassoandrantothefence.“Whatyoudoingallthewayouthere?”sheasked.

“Pasaidyouhadyerhandsfullwithsomecatintown.”


Morganlaughed.“IdobutIcanalwaysspareaminuteformyfavorite

niece.”

Sherolledhereyesandshimmiedthroughthecorralfencing.“I’myer

onlyniece.”

Alexwasalsotheonlygirlhe’deverknownthatdidn’trealizeshewas

one.Shehatedallthingslacy,preferringtrousersandagoodsturdyhorseto

dressesanddolls.Theoldhatsheworewasbatteredandworn,arelicfrom

hisyouth.Ithadbeenhandeddowntohislittlebrother,Tristan,untilhe’d

outgrownitandstoreditintheatticuntilAlexfoundit,preferringittothe

fancydresshatshe’dgottenasabirthdaypresent.Morgantippedthefrontof

thehatupsohecouldseeherfaceandrubbedatadirtyspotonhercheek.

“Stillmyfavoriteallthesame,”hetoldher.Whenshegrinnedathim,heturned

towardthehouse.“Where’syourpaat?Ineedtospeaktohim.”

“He’sinthehousewithgrandpa.”

Whenshefrowned,Morganknewsomethinghadhappened.“Whatwasit

thistime?”

Alexshruggedhersmallshoulders.“Don’trightlyknow.Grandpawas

goingonallmorningaboutsomebodynamedBuckandsayinghe’sgonnakill

him.Pawasupsetandsentmeoutside.Iain’tseenhidenorhairof’emsince.”

Morganlefthertherebythecorralwithakissonthecheekandapromise

tocomebackandhelpherwiththelassoandheadedforthehouse.Whenhe

reachedtheporch,Holdenwalkedoutthefrontdoor.“Forgod’ssake,Morgan,

don’tevenspeaktotheman.Ittookmedamnneartwohourstocalmhim

down.”

“Thatbad,huh?”

Holdennoddedandusheredhimbackdownthesteps.Helookedtoward

thecorral,smilingatAlexbeforeturninghisattentiontohim.“So,whatbrings


youwayouthere?Andpleasetellmeyoudidn’tleavethatwomanlockedupin

thejail.”

Morgansighed,liftedhishatandranahandthroughhishairbefore

placingitbackonhishead.HelookedoveratHoldenandthoughtoflyingto

him.Hegrinnedinstead.“Actually,Idid.Can’tletherjustwalkaroundtown.I

didarrestherifyouremember.”

“Iremember.I’mjustnotsurewhyyoudid.”

MorganwastryingtoPigurethatoneouthimself.Atthetime,itseemed

liketherightthingtodobutnowthathelookedbackonit,heknewhe’djust

doneitbecauseshe’dannoyedhimandruinedhisday.Surethesaloonwas

destroyedbuthell,itlookedlikethatonceamonthanyway.Someonewas

alwaysstartingabrawlinthere.Thelasttime,BenCrowleyandhiscrewhad

doneit.They’dallspentanightinjailtosleepofftheirdrunkandhereleased

themthenextday.Itwaswhathe’dplannedondoingwithAbigailsowhywas

shestilllockedinthattinycell?

Ifheknewtheanswertothat,hewouldn’tevenbeouthere.Heraskingif

Holdenwasunmarriedstartedhimthinkingthingsheshouldn’thave.Atthe

time,he’dbeenshocked,thenputoutshe’daskedabouthisbrotherPirstasa

possiblehusbandandnothimself.Notthatgettingmarriedwasonhislistof

priorities.Ithadn’tbeeninyears,butitstillstungabitknowinghisbrother

waspreferredoverhim.ThenAbigailhadthrownhimforaloopand

propositionedhiminstead,goingsofarastosayingshewantedtocrawlinto

hisbed.Thevisualofherdoingjustthat,buttassnaked,hadlefthimachingto

haveher.Heknewshewasjustpullinghisleg,hecouldseethemischiefinher

eyeswhenshesaidit,andplayingalonghadgainedhimaboon.Akiss.Onehe

regrettedendingsosoon.Thewomanwasassweetasshelooked.He’dgrown

hardandeagerforherthenandknewifhe’dletitgoonmuchlonger,he


wouldhavehadherbentoverthetablewithherskirtoverherheadwhile

feastingonherPleshlikeshewashispersonaldessert.

Thelookonherfaceafterkissinghimconfusedhimthough.Shewasn’t

angrylikehethoughtshe’dbewhichledhimtothinkmaybehe’dreadher

wrong.Thatmaybeshehadn’tbeenteasinghimaboutmarriageafterall.And

he’dgoneandsaidhewould.

HelookedbackoveratHolden,raisedahandandscratchedhischin.“I

thinkImighthaveagreedtomarryherthismorning.”

Holdensaidnothing.Juststoodtherestaringathimforlongmoments

beforehestartedlaughing.Afewoftheranchhandslookedtheirway,even

Alexstoppedwhatshewasdoingtoseewhatwasgoingon.WhenHolden

Pinallystoppedhee-hawing,Morganwasscowlingathim.“Itain’tthatdamn

funny.”

“Oh,butitis.”Holdenrubbedhiseyes,grinningwidely.“MissAngelina

overatthesaloonwillgooutofbusinessifyoustopcallingonhergirls.Thatis

assuminghavingawifeathomeisenoughtokeepyouoccupied.”

Morganhadn’teventhoughtofthat.Helaughedandshookhishead.

“Don’tguessmanywomenwouldwanttheirhusbandsspendingmuchtimein

theroomsabovethesaloon.GuessIcouldalwaysgetoutofitthatway.”

Holdenturnedtofacehim,oneeyebrowraised.“Getoutofit?Youcan’tbe

serious.”

“Whythehellwouldn’tIbe?”Morganstartedacrosstheyard,heading

backtothecorralwhereAlexwastryingtolassoherpony.Holdenfollowed.

“Wouldyougiveupaharemfullofwomenforthesameoneeverydamn

night?”

Holdengrinned.“Actually,yeah,Iwould.”


ThefactHoldenhadbeenmarriedatonetimeescapedhimmostdays.

Hisbrother’smarriagetoMaggiehadbeensobriefitwashardtorecallwhat

she’devenlookedlike.LookingatAlexusuallyremindedhim,though.Shehad

hermother’sblondhairanddaintyfeatures.Shewassmallandfairskinned

andhehopedlikehellshewasn’tpronetosicknesslikehermotherhadbeen.

LosingMaggiehadbeenhardonthemall,especiallyHolden.Takingcareofa

newbornwasadauntingtaskforahousefullofmenbutthey’ddoneit.Itwas

probablywhythegirlhadanaversiontoallthings—girly.

“You’renotstillthinkingaboutCecilia,areyou?Becauseyoucan’tjudge

allwomenbythatone.Marriageisn’tasdifPicultasshemadeitouttobe.”

Atthementionofhername,Morganfelthisstomachclenchin

rememberedanguish.Hetriednottothinkofhermostdays.It’swhyhespent

aslittletimeaspossibleinthefancyhousehe’dhadbuiltintown.Itwasfor

her,afterall.Shakinghishead,hethrewHoldenaheatedglare.“Ihadn’t

thoughtofheratallbeforenowsothanksforthereminder.”

“Sorry,”Holdensaid.Heturned,bracedhisbackagainstthefenceand

crossedhisarmsoverhischest.“So,tellmewhathappened.Howdidmarriage

comeaboutwithyourprisonerandwhyaren’tyoujumpingatthechance?”

Morgantoldhimhowtheconversationstarted,omittingthepartwhere

AbigailaskedifHoldenweresingle.“IthoughtshewasteasingmebutnowI

gettheimpressionshewasn’t.”

“Andyou’vetoldheryouwould?”

Henoddedhishead.“Prettymuch.”

Holdenlaughedandslappedhimontheshoulder.“Notsurewhattotell

you,Morgan,otherthantotakeadvantageofit.There’sworsethingstobe

saddledwiththanawillingwomaninyourbedeverynight.Ifitwereme,I’d

alreadyhaveriddenhalfthecountrytryingtoPindthecircuitpreacher.”


Morganblewoutabreathandpushedtherimofhishatup.Talkingto

Holdenhadn’tbroughthimanyclosertoananswerthanhehadbeforeriding

outtotheranch.Hewasn’tevensurewhyhecared.TellingAbigailhewasn’t

seriousaboutmarryingherwouldbeeasybutforsomereason,alittlepartof

himdidn’treallywanttodoit.Probablythepartthatgottiredofpayingfor

sexandeatingcold,blandmealsbyhimself.Havingawomanathomewaiting

onhimwouldbenice.ThethoughtusedtocheerhimupbuteversinceCecilia,

itonlybroughthomethefactthathavingawomanwasmoretroublethanthey

wereworthandhewassureAbigailThorntonwouldbetoo.

***

Abigailhadpacedthelengthofhertinycelluntilherfeetached.She’d

cursedMorganAvery’snameineveryfashionsheknewhowandplottedways

togetevenwithhimfortakingadvantageofher.She’dcookedamealforhim

thatevenhergrandmammawouldhavebeenproudof,treatedhimtoa

salaciousreminderthatshewasawomaninneedofamanandkissedhim

backashungrilyashe’dkissedher.Andwhathadtheorneryoldgoatdone?

Lockedherbackupinthisstinkinglittlehovelofajailcelland—leftherthere!

She’dyelleduntilherthroatwashoarseandbeenthesubjectofmore

thanonepersonstickingtheirheadinsidethejailhousetostareather.Afew

venomouswordshadthemallretreating.Shewasfuriousatthetownsfolkof

WillowCreekaswell.Howcouldtheyleaveher,awoman,insidethebuilding

alonewithoutevenbattinganeye?Whatsortofpeoplewereinthistown

anyway?

ThedooropenedagainandAbigailturned,readytoletPlyanothervicious

tiradeatthemanwhostuckhisheadintogawkatherbutstilledhertongue


whenaheavysetwomanwithgrayinghairwalkedin.Thewomansmiled,

repositionedthebasketthatwashangingfromherarmbythehandle,and

pushedthedooropenwide.“Goodafternoontoya.”

Abigailtriedtosmilebutfailedmiserably.Thewomandidn’tseemto

notice.Shewastoobusydraggingthechairsittinginfrontofthedeskacross

theroomandtowardthejailcell.

Whenshehadthechairwhereshewantedit,shestood,placedthebasket

ontopandstuckherhandthroughthebars.“I’mEdnaPierceandletmesay,

MorganAveryshouldbeashamedofhimselflockingyouupinhere.”

ThesmileAbigailgracedthewomanwithwasgenuine,then.Someone

elseinthistownthoughtthemarshalwasavilecreature,too.Abigaillikedher

already.“Pleasuretomeetyou,”shesaid,takingthewoman’shand.“Abigail

Thornton.”

Ednacluckedhertongue,shakingherheadbeforescrunchingupher

nose.“Thisplaceisashorribleasalways.ItsmellsofPilthandisn’taPitplace

forawoman.”Sheturned,grabbedthebasketandslidbackthecheckered

linenlyingontop.Anassortmentoffoodlayinside.Chickenandbiscuits,an

apple,andafewslicesofcheese.ItwasenoughtocauseAbigail’sstomachto

growl.Ithadbeenhourssincebreakfastandshehadn’teatenmuchthen.

Takingthebasketwhenitwasoffered,Abigailsatontheedgeofthecot

andtuckedintothefoodasEdnasatdownonthechair.Thewomanstarted

talkingimmediatelyandAbigailonlyhalflistened.Thegoingsonintown

reallydidn’tinteresther.Itdidn’ttakelongtorealizeEdnaPiercewasthe

townbusy-bodyandlocalgossip.

Thewomantalkednonstopfortwentyminutesaboutnonsensicalthings

butAbigailperkedupwhensheheardMorgan’snamementionedandraised

herhead.Ednahadadisapprovinglookonherface.“He’snotPitformuch


morethansittinginthisjail,”shewassaying.“Why,thewayhecarrieson…”

Ednashookherhead,makingthatcluckingsoundwithhertongue.Sheleaned

forwardandloweredhervoicetoawhisper.“Hespendsalmosteverynight

overatthesaloon.ThewayIhearit,heknowsmoreaboutthose…women,

theykeepupstairsthananyoneelseintown.”Ednaraisedhereyebrowsinan

exaggeratedmanner.“He’snotveryparticular,theysay.”

EdnawentintogreatdetailaboutMorgan’ssociallife,particularlyhis

fondnessofthewhoresabovethesaloon.Hespentmoretimeintheirbeds

thanhedidhisown,apparently.WhenAbigailaskedwhy,Ednabrightenedand

straightenedherback.“Oh,mostpeoplethinkit’sbecauseofMissCecilia.”

ThementionofanotherwomandrewAbigail’sattentionfully.Shewiped

herhandsonthecheckedlinenandsatthebasketonthePloorbyherfeet.

“WhoisCecilia?”

“Oh,shewasthemarshal’sPiancée.Hebuiltthathouseforher,youknow.

SpenteverydimehehadgettingitallPixedup.Sentoffforstorebought

furniture,too.Ihaven’tseentheinsidebutIhearit’sthegrandesthomeinall

ofWillowCreek.”

AbigailblinkedatEdnaandopenedhermouthtosaythehousewasnice

butthewomantalkedrightoverher.

“Shewasaprettylittlething,thatCecilia.Alittleuppityifyouaskme,but

mostpeoplewithmoneyusuallyare.”Ednasniffedasifshewereslightedand

continued.“ThewayIhearit,onceMissCeciliasawhowsmallandrugged

WillowCreekwas,shewassooffendedMorganwouldevenconsidermaking

herlivehere,shecriedallthewaybacktoMissoulaandstraighttothearmsof

herfather’sbusinessassociate.She’slivingoutinSanFranciscolastIheard.”

TheconversationlastedforanotherhourandAbigailwasyawningbythe

timeEdnagotaroundtotellingheraboutMorgan’sthreebrothers.Apparently


oneofthem,Colton,wasanoutlawwantedinfourstatesanddangerousto

boot.HewasthetwintoHolden,whomshe’dmet.Theyoungest,Tristan,also

hadatarnishedreputation.Agamblerbytradewhodidn’tknowhowtoturn

downacardgameifhislifedependedonitandtheirfatherwasjustthisside

ofcrazyeversincetheirmammapassed.

WhenEdnastoppedtalking,Abigailfocusedherattentionbackonher.

“Hehasn’tdoneanything…unseemlysincehelockedyouuphashe?”

Abigailgrinned.“Notreally.”

Edna’seyeswidened.“Oh,dotell.”

ThefactthiswomanwouldprobablytelleverythingAbigailsaidtoherto

everypersonwhowouldlistendidn’tcrossherminduntilitwastoolate.

WhenshetoldEdnaMorganhadtakenherhomewithhimlastnight,the

womanlookedsoscandalized,sherosefromherseat,handtoherchest,and

gaspeduntilherfaceturnedblue.

“Tookyouhomewithhim!Whateverfor?”Ednajumpedtoconclusions

andwasinatizzywithinmoments.Shewasmumblingtoherself,wringingher

handsandtalkingabouthavingMorganbootedoutofhispositionastown

marshal.Normally,Abigailwouldn’thavecaredbutsinceshe’dhadtimeto

cooloff,herireatMorganwasn’tassevereasithadbeen.Hearingthiswoman

spoutoffabouthavingMorganlosehisjob,however,washerfaultentirely.

Shestood,walkedtothecelldoorandreachedthrough,tryingtoget

Edna’sattention.“Don’tworry,Edna.Hewasaperfectgentleman,Icanassure

you.”

Ednastoppedpacingandturnedtolookather.“Areyousure?”

Abigailsmiledandnoddedherhead,laughingtotryandlightenthe

mood.“Yes.Iusedoneofthesparebedrooms.Hedidn’twantmetohaveto

sleephereinthecellonthatoldcot.”


“Oh.”Ednaactuallylookeddisappointedforamomentbeforeshescoffed.

“Well,I’msurprised.Morganhasn’teverbeenoverlykindtoanyone,especially

me.He’sahorrible,vile,wretchedman.Why,Ithinkhepurposelytriesto

annoymemostdays.”

Heprobablydoes.Abigailkeptthatcommenttoherselfandsmiled.“He

wasnothingbutkind,Edna,sodon’tgoworryingabouthowIwastreated.

Why,whenhefoundoutmyhusbandtobewasn’theretogreetmehesaid

he’dmarryme!”Themomentthewordswereoutofhermouth,Abigail

regrettedthem.Shedidn’tknowwhyshesaiditotherthantodispelEdna’s

aggravationatMorgan,butwhenEdnalookedather,shecouldseeachange

comeoverthewoman.Itwaslikewatchingthesunburstthroughtheclouds

andbrightenaoncegloomyday.Ednaperkedrightup,smilingbeforeclasping

herhandstogether.“See,Iknewthemarshalwasakindanddecentman.I’ve

beentellingeveryoneintownthatheisandnoonewillbelieveme.Why,you

justwaituntiltheyhearofthis!They’llallsee.”

Ednaleftinaswirlofpetticoats,pullingthedoortothejailclosedbehind

her.Abigailwasn’tsureexactlywhathappened,orwhatchangedEdna’smind

whereMorganwasconcerned,buttryingtoPigureitalloutwoulddoherno

goodanyway.Shewasstilllockedup,Morganwasstillnotlettinghergoand

shereallyhadtousetheprivy.Sheglancedatthepotunderthesmallbedand

grimaced.“Ireallydohateyou,MorganAvery.”

Themomentshesaidhisname,heopenedthedoortothejailhouseand

walkedin.HehadtheaudacitytosmileatherandhertemperPlaredatthe

smuglookonhisface.“It’sabouttime.Doyouhaveanyideahowhellishmy

dayhasbeen?”

“NotreallybutI’msureyou’regoingtotellme.”Heapproachedthecell,

removedthekeyinhispocketandunlockedthedoor.


“AreyouPinallygoingtoletmego?”

Hegrinnedandheldthedooropenforher.“Nope.You’recominghome

withme.”

“Whateverfor?”

Thelookonhisfacepromisedthingsthatmadeherinsidesquiver.She

hesitatedbeforesteppingoutofthecell,staringhimintheeyeasshestopped

infrontofhim.Sheraisedaneyebrow,suckedinabreathlargeenoughher

breastsrubbedagainsthischest.“Haveyoucometosomeaccordaboutour

arrangement,then?”

EndofExcerpt

THELAWMANisavailableatallretailoutletsforFREE.Finddownload

linksatlilygraison.com

http://lilygraison.com/books/western-romance/willow-creek-series-historical-western/book-1-lawman/

Date post:	18-Dec-2021
Category:	Documents
Upload:	others
View:	2 times
Download:	0 times

The Lawman Lily Graison

Documents