“Aye. The best time would be when you tell everyone about the baby,” Brodie suggested, cutting into his roast. “Catch her at a good time.”
They ate in silence, enjoying the meal and each other’s company. After the waiter delivered dessert and filled their coffee cups, Brodie’s face grew serious. He leaned forward, lowering his voice.
“Maggie will need a lawyer and I’ve no idea what to tell her.”
“Surely there is someone in town who can take her case.” Colin sipped his coffee, glancing over the rim at his wife, a warm sensation growing deep in his belly. He wanted to finish supper, then take her upstairs and into their bed.
“There are three I know about. The best one is August Fielder.”
“Aye. Everyone knows Fielder is the best, but I’ve heard he’s so busy with his other businesses he never practices anymore.”
“I’ve heard the same. There is one who moved here from back east a year ago. He’s older and spends most of his time playing cards and drinking at Buckie’s. The other hung up a shingle, but no one knows anything about him, except he’s from Louisiana.” Brodie rubbed his chin, studying the liquid in his cup. It wasn’t his place to track down a good lawyer. His job was to hold her for trial, nothing more.
“You don’t sound comfortable with either.” Sarah sat back, folding her arms over her stomach.
“I don’t have to be comfortable. Mrs. Stoddard does.”
“Why do you insist on calling her by the name of the man who hurt her when she’s made it clear they weren’t married? The least you could do is call her Maggie King, as she’s asked.” Sarah still felt raw about the young woman being jailed, even though she understood Brodie’s reasons.
“Agreed, lass. I’ll do my best to remember.” He’d made it a point to call her Mrs. Stoddard. Doing so helped him keep his distance and perspective. Neither Sarah nor Colin knew about or would understand the attraction he felt for Maggie, the strong need he had to protect and take care of her. A need that could get him in trouble if he acted on it. It would take all his willpower to douse his growing desire and stay away from her until the judge came to town.
“I’ll send inquiries to San Francisco and Sacramento. Maybe a lawyer there would be willing to travel here and defend her, although I doubt she has money to pay.” Colin drained his coffee and set the cup aside.
“Nae, don’t waste your time. The lass has no money and few, if any, friends. I can ask around about a lawyer. Surely there are others besides the two I know about. I’ll also send a telegram to Denver. She may have family looking for her.” Brodie pushed his chair back and reached into his pocket.
Colin held up his hand. “I’m paying for supper tonight. You need to get back to the jail and make sure your new deputy is doing his job.”
“You don’t need to tell me, and he isn’t a deputy—yet. As I said, it may be his first and last chance at being in charge of a prisoner.”
MacLaren’s Circle M Ranch
“Come on, Bram. Brace up the end so I can secure it.” Quinn groaned under the weight of the large log. One of his younger brothers, Bram, worked alongside him, as did Brodie’s younger brother, Fletcher. The addition to one of their barns was long overdue. “That’s it, lad.”
“I thought you said this part would only take a couple hours.” At eighteen, Fletcher stood almost as tall as the oldest MacLaren cousins, including Brodie.
“You complaining already? Wait until we get to the hard part.” A year older than Fletcher, Bram flashed him a smile as he stepped away, slapping his hands on his pants.
“And where are Cam and Sean? Shouldn’t they be helping?” Fletcher referred to his other cousins, Camden and Sean.
“Stop your whining, Fletch. You know both are with the herd. They’ll be here when they can.” Quinn looked at what they’d accomplished, shooting a satisfied grin at Blaine.
Brodie, Colin, Quinn, and Blaine had grown up practically joined at the hips. Camden, Bram, Fletcher, and Sean were similar, seldom separated, and now of age to take on more responsibilities.
“We may have this finished before Colin and Sarah return.” Blaine scooped water from a nearby pale, poured it over his head, then shook his hair. The cold October air should’ve made him shiver. Instead, he felt refreshed.
“Ach.” Quinn stepped away, too late to miss being sprayed with water. “Watch what you’re doing.” Shoving Blaine’s shoulder, he laughed. Sobering, he remembered all the good times he’d shared with the oldest cousins. He missed Brodie, and with Colin married, he didn’t have much free time.
“Well, look there.” Blaine pointed to the trail from town. “Looks like Colin and Sarah.”
“Aye, it’s them.” Quinn tugged his hat lower on his forehead and turned toward the others. “All right, lads. Let’s finish this last part then get back to the other chores.”
“I wonder if he spoke to Brodie.” Of all of them, Blaine understood his cousin’s need to fulfill his dream of being a lawman. He might not have gone searching for work as a sheriff or marshal, or even a Texas Ranger, but he’d accepted the job when offered, disappointing his parents and surprising many in the family.
“Appears we’ll be finding out.” Quinn set down the tool he’d been holding, straightening when the wagon came to a stop. “Welcome back.”
Colin acknowledged the greeting then jumped down, reaching up to help Sarah. Setting her on the ground, he turned to survey the log addition, walking around to study what they’d accomplished since they’d left.
“Looks good, lads. When will you finish?”
“Two more days if we can get the laddies here to work harder.” Quinn shot a glance at Bram and Fletcher.
“Aye, if we can get Cam and Sean to stop what they’re doing long enough to do some real work,” Bram joked, noticing something in Sarah’s expression he hadn’t seen before. “What is it, lass? Are you feeling all right?”
She placed a hand on her stomach and swayed slightly, her face going pale.
“What is it?” Colin’s expression grew serious as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him.
“Ach, it’s nothing. I’m just tired and a bit chilled. I’d better go inside and lay down for a spell.” Her strained smile didn’t make Colin feel any better.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Nae. It’s right there.” She nodded to the large house about thirty feet away. “You stay here and help. I’ll be fine. I promise.”
Colin watched her leave, concern wrapping around him.
“What’s going on?” Blaine stood beside him, following his gaze, seeing the worry etched on his brother’s face.
Colin saw Quinn’s brows furrowed and motioned him over. “We’ve not told Ma yet, so don’t say anything. Sarah is with child. It’s one reason we went into town. To see the doctor.”
“Congratulations, brother.” Blaine clasped him on the shoulder, his voice low so the others wouldn’t hear.
“Are you pleased with the news, Colin?” Quinn moved to stand in front of him, his face neutral.
“Aye, I am. It’s just…”
“She’ll be fine, if that’s what concerns you. You know the women won’t let anything happen to her or the baby. Ma may not even let Sarah out of her sight.”
“I know, Blaine, but …” Colin drew in an unsteady breath. “So much can happen.”
“Are we going to get back to work or are you laggards going to leave it up to Fletch and me?” Bram’s question had the three turning away from the house.
“Who are you calling a laggard?” Quinn mumbled a few choice words as he returned to work.
“They’re right,” Colin said, following Quinn. “We should do as much as we can before Ma calls us for dinner.”
“Wait, Colin.” He turned back around at the question in Blaine’s voice. “Did you see Brodie?”
“Aye. Let’s finish, then I’ll tell you lads all about our visit.”
“He arrested a woman?” Blaine almost choked
on the words.
“It doesn’t sound like he had much choice.” A slow smile crossed Quinn’s face. “Is she pretty?”
“Does it matter?” Colin asked, shaking his head.
“Well, is she?”
Colin sighed. “Yes, quite pretty. But don’t go telling Sarah I said that.”
“Ach…you know I won’t. Her being beautiful is going to muddle Brodie’s mind. A female in jail for killing a man who kidnapped and who knows did what else to her.”
“Possibly killing a man, Quinn. We found him in a shallow grave with his face bashed in. She swears she hit him once on the back of the head, then ran. Brodie had to weigh her story against what we found. From what I saw, he had no choice, lads.” Colin picked up a handful of dirt, letting it sift through his fingers. “It’s a mess is all I’m saying.”
They sat on the ground with their backs against the barn wall, each with a cooling cup of coffee in hand. Dinner had gone much as Colin expected after they made the announcement about Sarah being pregnant. His ma, Kyla, yelped with surprise, as did the rest of those at the table. When dinner ended, and over Sarah’s and Colin’s protests, she declared supper would be a special affair with the entire family invited—and she expected the cousins to spread the word.
Colin had smiled at his mother’s enthusiasm. As tired as Sarah was, he knew she wouldn’t spoil Kyla’s plans. If her mother-in-law wanted a celebration for the coming baby, so be it.
From where the men sat by the barn, Colin could see their upstairs bedroom window, knowing Sarah would be sound asleep. Before nodding off, she’d left firm instructions for him to wake her at least two hours before supper. It was certain he’d hear of it when she woke to find her directive had been ignored.Quinn shifted on the hard ground, bending his knees to rest his arms on them. “I should ride into town. It’s been too long since I spent time with Brodie.”
“Although he said nothing, I believe he’s missing the family. I’m certain he’d welcome company, even a lad as tiresome as you.” Colin laughed when Quinn reached over to thwack him on the back of his head.
“I need to make a trip into town for supplies. You can ride along, Quinn.” Blaine stood, dusting off his backside. “It’s time I got back to work. You reprobates can stay and talk if you’ve a mind.”
Quinn stared after Blaine, cocking a brow at Colin. “Reprobate?”
Colin chuckled. “Seems my younger brother has gotten to the letter R in the dictionary.”
“I wish he’d finish it,” Quinn muttered. “I’m tired of him calling me something and me having no idea what it means.”
Chapter Four
“Ach. Where is that girl?” Quinn’s mother, Audrey, stood with hands on her hips, staring out at the open pasture. “Your sister is trying my patience.”
“She tries everyone’s patience, Ma. I’ll ride out, see if I can find her.” Quinn glanced at the other men who’d come in from their work to get ready for the lavish supper Kyla had prepared.
“Nae. You’ll not go.” Audrey crossed her arms, her eyes flaring in frustration. “If she gets lost or hurt, it will be the lass’s fault. As much as she’s been warned, Heather is determined to go her own way.”
“Alone.” Caleb Stewart wiped his wet hands on his pants, as frustrated as Audrey when it came to Heather.
He’d been part of the original wagon train the MacLarens took when they left Pennsylvania. The MacLarens had split off to finish their journey to Northern California, while Caleb’s family ended up in Oregon. They’d reconnected when Colin came for Sarah, the MacLaren cousins inviting him to journey to Circle M Ranch at the base of Boundary Mountain. He’d jumped at the offer and now found himself one of few outsiders who worked alongside the MacLarens. A job which included almost daily contact with Quinn’s younger sister, Heather.
“Aye, Caleb. The lass is set on besting the men, no matter the task. Well, I’ve lost my patience with her.” Audrey turned, stomping back into the kitchen to join Kyla and most of the female MacLarens to finish supper preparations.
“I’ll go after Heather, Quinn.” Caleb held up a hand when Quinn began to protest. “You live in the same house with her. No sense in you incurring her wrath, listening to her complain and storm around while everyone’s trying to stay out of her way. At least I’m able to bunk down wherever I choose.” Caleb strapped on the gun belt he’d hung on a post. “Besides, I think I know where she is.”
“And how is that?” Blaine asked from a few feet away.
Caleb scratched his head, a sheepish grin crossing his face. “We had a bit of a disagreement over a few cattle she thought had crossed onto the neighbor’s land. I disagreed with her. The tracks indicated the steers had wandered into a ravine. She’d have none of it and took off. My guess is she’s camping out, embarrassed about being wrong, waiting to ride in when we’re all asleep.”
“Stubborn wench,” Quinn muttered. “She hates being wrong about anything. If Da were still alive, she’d get a good talking to, or worse, for the way she behaves. If it weren’t for Ma, I’d leave her to get into any trouble she wanted—as long as it didn’t affect the rest of us.”
“You say that now, but you’d be the first to protect her if she were in real trouble.” Blaine understood how Quinn felt about Heather. Most of the family felt the same. “I’ll ride with you, Caleb. You shouldn’t be facing her alone.”
“I won’t argue with you, Blaine, but I’ll go alone. The woman is a frustrating lass. Does she scare me? Not at all, although she does get my blood boiling, and not in a good way.” Walking toward the barn, Caleb glanced over his shoulder. “Save me some food, lads. I’ll be back as soon as I can—with the missing MacLaren.”
“Hungry?” Brodie carried a tray laden with food toward the cell, noting his question had no effect on Maggie. “It’s beef stew and biscuits.” He set the tray down, then put the key in the cell door. “I’m going to unlock this, so don’t do anything foolish.”
The last remark got her attention and she swiveled around to face him. The icy glare didn’t surprise Brodie as much as the way she stepped forward, as if she planned to walk right through him. Instead, she stopped a foot away, hands fisted on her hips.
His gaze raked over her. With all she’d been through—the long journey to town on foot, the events at the cabin, being locked in a cell—Maggie was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
“Sheriff, are you afraid I’ll overpower you and escape? After all, I am a dangerous woman.”
She hadn’t intended her bravado to have much of an impact on the young lawman, so it surprised her when he reached out to grip her wrist, drawing her to within inches of his face.
“I’d be careful about how you approach a man wearing a gun, Mrs. Stoddard. Some might take it as a threat.”
She gasped. The words were soft, almost intimate, as his warm breath washed across her face.
“This will go better for both of us if you keep your distance from me.” Brodie stared into the clearest blue eyes he’d ever seen, seeing them widen at the same time she tried to pull free of his grip. He held her firm, not wanting to let go, a heat he hadn’t expected coursing through his body. Feeling a bead of moisture form on his brow, Brodie dropped her wrist. “Am I making myself clear?”
Moving away, he watched as she rubbed her wrist, knowing his grip hadn’t been painful. He wondered if she’d felt the same unsettling sensation he had at their touch, and if she were trying to rub away the unwelcome awareness.
Taking a step away, she swallowed the lump in her throat, willing her voice to sound calm and strong. “Quite clear, Sheriff.” She backed up to the far wall, allowing him to set the tray on the bed.
“You should eat it while it’s hot.” He glanced up in time to see her tongue dart out to moisten her generous, raspberry-colored lips. The intense urge to grab her, haul her to him, and taste her sweetness crashed over Brodie, prompting him to stagger backward. He let out a breath, hoping she couldn’t detect the war rag
ing within him or the effect she had on him.
Maggie glanced at the food, then back at Brodie, her face showing no emotion or recognition of Brodie’s desperate state. Turning her back to him, she stared up at the window a foot above her head.
“I wouldn’t think about trying to escape. You wouldn’t get far.”
Shutting and locking the cell door, Brodie stared at her, wishing she’d turn around, display more of the spunk she’d shown a few minutes before. Letting out a sigh, he left her alone, hoping she’d take his advice and eat.
Maggie heard his retreating footsteps, letting the air whoosh from her lungs as her shoulders relaxed. She’d meant to goad him, push a little, demonstrate how much she hated him. His resulting response took her by surprise, his touch overwhelming her, causing her stomach to flip.
Arnie had been her only experience with men. Over the months she’d been under his control, he had come to her a dozen times, drunk, crude, and always rough. He’d always left her with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, wanting nothing more than to scrub her body clean, removing any trace of what they’d done. The fact there’d been no children from the disgusting encounters had been a blessing.
She didn’t know what to expect of other men, wondering if Arnie’s actions were normal. So many nights, she lay awake, wishing he’d drink himself into a stupor and never wake up, never again force her to submit to his demands. One particular night, his brutality had been absolute, leaving her with a broken arm, swollen face, and bruises across her chest and arms. Arnie’s brother, Joel, had tried to help her, receiving a licking from Arnie for his efforts.
The difference in the brothers confused her, as did the change in moods she saw in Sheriff MacLaren. One moment, his light touch and soft words gave her comfort. Other times, his harsh tone and severe manner had her believing he was no better than Arnie.
“Arnie,” she snorted. If only she’d been able to get away, leave him and the terror behind, she wouldn’t be sitting in this cell, at the mercy of a man who knew nothing of what she’d experienced.
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