Shotgun Bride

by Lopp, Karen

  “So, it wasn’t enough to rob me blind. You had to go and tell everybody I was no better than a slut?”

  Mike rubbed his stiff neck and grimaced at the pounding inside his head. He dug out her wad of money and stuffed it into her chemise.

  “Here’s your money.”

  She yanked it out and counted. “I see you kept the hundred Trigger gave me. Pretty shabby of you considering you want me to believe Sally paid them instead of you.”

  Mike froze. There wasn’t a damn thing wrong with her mind. Or her tongue. Both were sharp as a barber’s razor. He started to give her a piece of his mind but Kathleen’s pale face and obvious discomfort stopped him.

  Maybe after a night of rest she’d be more reasonable. He draped the blanket over her and plucked her to his chest. “We’ll talk tomorrow when you’re feeling better.”

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “To the hotel. You need rest not a long ride out to my place.”

  “I’ll pay for my own room.”

  “Fine.”

  “And I’ll stay by myself.”

  “I’m not the one who came crawling to your room. You came to mine. Don’t you pin that glaring misconduct on me.”

  “Oh, you hateful man. I thought I could trust you.”

  “You can. But until you get over your little temper tantrum, I’m through talking.”

  Kathleen chewed on her lower lip. If she had the slightest confidence her legs would support her so she’d not fall on her face, she’d demand Mike put her down. But no way was she going to give him any reason to use that condescending tone again. Temper tantrum, indeed. A warm breeze caressed her cheek as he stepped outside the doctor’s office.

  She relaxed against Mike’s so-solid chest and regretted it. Those darned churning desires he stirred up reared their ugly heads and tormented her. He had carried her all the way to town, wiped the tears from her cheeks, and defended her virtue. But doggone it, why did he deny knowing anything about her land? Could he not know? Aw, she’d be a fool to believe that.

  And why did Mike come up with the idea that Sally had concocted this scheme? Didn’t make much sense to Kathleen why Sally would renege on marrying Mike. I mean, really. He was handsome, his muscles honed by hard labor, and those eyes? Most women would drown in them.

  She sure went swimming in them. “Mind trying to explain why you kissed me while you were engaged? Not very honest of you.”

  He shifted her in his arms as they passed a storefront. “I shouldn’t have done that. But I had already decided I didn’t want to marry Sally.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because of you.” By the gruff tone of his voice Kathleen didn’t know whether to be flattered or offended. He didn’t sound pleased. More like irritated. She bit back a reply as his pace slowed.

  He shouldered the hotel door open. “Bill, get out here.”

  Definitely irritated.

  “I’m coming.” Bill glanced at her and scowled.

  “What do you want, Baca?”

  “A room.”

  “Pay me first.”

  “Why? I’ve never had to before.”

  “Things have changed.”

  At Bill’s snippy answer, Mike growled, eased her down, and threw a coin across the counter. “Now give me a key.”

  Bill lurched back, his eyes wide. “Don’t threaten me.”

  “I’ll do more than that if you don’t hustle with that key.”

  Bill scurried to the rack and with fumbling fingers snatched a key and slid it to Mike, being careful to stay out of Mike’s reach. Kathleen grinned. The pompous clerk deserved to be scared. Mike hefted her back into his arms and climbed the stairs.

  “What did you mean ‘because of me?’”

  Mike set her down on the bed and lit the lantern. “Want anything before I go?”

  “An answer.”

  “Hungry? Thirsty?”

  She glared at Mike. “I’m hungry.”

  “I’ll get you something.”

  “And thirsty.”

  “Fine.”

  He headed to the door.

  “And I want my clothes.”

  Mike slapped the wall, turned, and gave her a fake smile. “Anything else?”

  “I’ll let you know.”

  “Fine.”

  “Fine.”

  The door closed and Kathleen leaned her aching head against the pillow. Bruised up and down her backside, it hurt to lie on her back. But the burning wound in her shoulder prevented her from lying on her right side and the tender lump on her head just had to be on the left. No matter how she lay, pain racked her.

  Kathleen jumped at a loud rap on her door, followed by Mr. Hawkins. “I expected to see you last night.”

  “I changed my mind.”

  Hawkins crossed his arms and shook his head. “Just look at you. What did Mike do?”

  “We were attacked by some Utes.”

  “Utes? I doubt that. Is Mike hurt?”

  “Just a scratch.”

  “Did you actually see any Indians?”

  Kathleen opened her mouth to respond but snapped it shut. No, she didn’t see any Indians. “What are you implying?”

  Hawkins lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. “Mike told me he wanted rid of you. Fast. Now I see you’re hurt. What am I supposed to think?”

  Something about Mr. Hawkins sent shivers of trepidation up her spine. He spoke softly, never threatening her, only offered help but still. “I’ll be careful.”

  “Let me help you. I know a good place where you can hide until you decide what you want to do.”

  “Why are you so interested in my welfare?”

  “It’s the decent thing to do.”

  “Mike will be back soon. He went to get me some dinner.”

  “Then make him taste it first, because I don’t believe any Utes attacked you.”

  “Why not?”

  “Mike’s never had trouble with them before. Why now?” Hawkins smiled. “Did you enjoy the chocolates?”

  “Yes, thank you. Oh.”

  Kathleen counted out some money and held it out. “Here, Mike gave me my money, so I can pay you back. I appreciate the loan.”

  Hawkins crossed the room and took the money. He squeezed her fingers. “This ploy to give your money back is just that. A subtle way of gaining your trust. Don’t fall for it. Remember, I’m available day or night if you need me. But, please, don’t wait too late or you may end up dead.”

  “I’ll remember.” Kathleen blew out a sigh when Mr. Hawkins left. She didn’t want to believe Mike capable of the things Mr. Hawkins hinted at, but to ignore his warnings would be foolish. To let Hawkins hide her would be foolish also. No, she’d do this alone. Just like she’d done everything else for the last six years of her life.

  Loneliness, her constant companion, settled down beside her. She swiped a tear from her eye and pushed up on her good arm. One leg at a time, she draped them over the edge of the bed, propped the pillow up, and scooted into a sitting position.

  She understood Mr. Hawkins’ bitter dislike of Mike but his assumptions didn’t ring true. If Mike wanted her dead, why did he bring her to see the doctor? Why not stab her in the heart when she lay unconscious and leave her for the coyotes? No one would suspect him of murder.

  For some inexplicable reason, she felt safe with Mike. Angry and suspicious, yes, but not in danger. And now he was off fetching her dinner. So far, after he got over his initial bout of anger, he’d exhibited the willingness to do what she asked.

  Kathleen patted her bosom. He did return her money.

  She glanced up as Mike came in carrying a tray. Mr. Hawkins dire warning flashed in her mind as Mike set the food acr
oss her lap.

  “Hope you like soup. It’s all that I could scrounge up this late.”

  “I’m not picky.”

  She picked up the spoon and hesitated.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “You didn’t poison this, did you?”

  Mike snatched the spoon from her hand, scooped up a bite, and stuffed it in his mouth. He chewed slowly, swallowed, and shot her a mocking stare. “Satisfied?”

  He tossed the spoon on the tray and crossed his arms. “Now eat.”

  Kathleen had a bite in her mouth before she realized how quickly she obeyed his command. But the soup was tasty and she was hungry. Some battles weren’t worth fighting. Bowl scraped clean she reached for the glass of water.

  Mike beat her to it. He gulped down half the glass before handing it to her. “Didn’t want you to think I spiked your drink.”

  A swarm of bees whirled in her stomach. She arched one brow and returned his frosty glare. “Don’t like being falsely accused, do you? Well, neither do I.”

  Mike’s unending scowl turned upside down and the ice in his eyes melted.

  Kathleen slumped against the pillow, finished off the water, and tossed out a few bills. “Here’s for the room and dinner. Thank you.”

  Mike exploded from the chair, snatched the tray, and stalked across the room. A chill spiraled around her spine. Kathleen glanced at the dark window. What if someone came after her tonight? No light showed. She had no weapon. And as weak and exhausted as she was, a herd of stampeding longhorns wouldn’t wake her.

  He yanked the door open.

  “Mike.”

  “What now?” He didn’t try to suppress the anger in his voice.

  Kathleen swallowed. She wanted him to stay. Wanted his perfect aim should anyone try to kill her. She was being unreasonable. Allowing fear to override common sense. Her hand shook. She stared out the window. “Nothing.”

  The click of the closing door boomed like a cannon. She shivered, drew her knees up, and dropped her head between them. Her pulse pumped like a flooded river.

  “What has you spooked?”

  Kathleen jerked her head up, eyes wide. Mike leaned against the door.

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

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

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

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

  “But—”

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

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

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

  “That’s better.”

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

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

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

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

  “No. I don’t know anyone out here.”

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

  “No.”

  “You sure?”

  “They’re dead.”

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

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

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

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

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

  Chapter 13

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

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

  She felt so soft and warm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  “Lay off, Hawkins.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  “Has Barker seen these?”

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

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

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

  “Why?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

  “Hear you’re looking for my wife.”

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

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

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

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

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