“What’s wrong, boss?” Dugan asked, stepping to the side and making note of the fury on Tully’s face. It took a lot to make the sheriff angry and Dugan wasn’t sure he’d ever seen the man so outraged.
“I’m gonna throttle a meddlin’, busybody woman, that’s what’s wrong,” Tully shouted, waving the newspaper at Dugan before marching down the street in the direction of Maggie’s shop.
He strode around to the back and opened the door with such force it swung inward and bounced off the wall.
From her spot at a sewing machine where she worked on a basting stitch, Maggie yelped in surprise.
Not saying a word, Tully charged up the stairs of the apartment, taking them three at a time, and knocked the door at the top open.
“Miss Dumont!” he bellowed as he stalked inside.
A clatter from the kitchen accompanied by a startled shriek drew him into the room. Brianna frantically mopped a puddle of ink before it soaked into a sheaf of papers.
The glare she sent him held enough venom he should have dropped to the floor in the throes of death, but it didn’t faze him.
“What in the…” Tully snapped his mouth shut in an attempt to gather his thoughts and composure. He took a deep breath and tossed the newspaper on the table. His index finger pointedly tapped on the article that sent him into such a fit. “What gave you the right to write such nonsense? I ought to haul you to jail for slander.”
The smug look she gave him as she gracefully rose to her feet did nothing to cool his temper. “It isn’t slander if it’s…”
“True.” Tully stepped forward, moving so close Brianna could see gold and green flecks dancing in the fiery fury of his eyes. “You and I both know that article isn’t true. Why would you do something like that? Write something that could destroy my credibility in town?”
“Brianna?” Maggie’s voice carried into the kitchen. “Is everything okay up there?”
Mindful that the article would upset the sheriff, Brianna never guessed he’d hunt her down, looking for all the world like he might strangle her with his bare hands.
Anxious to escape his anger, she tried to step around Tully, but he blocked her in at the table. When Maggie walked into the kitchen, Tully thrust the newspaper at her. “Read what she wrote about me.”
Maggie took the newspaper. Her eyes widened as she read the headline aloud.
Baker City’s Sheriff Manhandles Women
Makes Unjust Arrests and Harasses Citizenry
“Oh, my,” Maggie whispered, glancing from Brianna to Tully before returning her attention to the article.
Sheriff Tully Barrett may seem like a friendly, amicable fellow to those who don’t know better, but he preys upon innocent women when no one is looking. The modern-day wolf in sheep’s clothing hides his true nature behind a dimpled grin and handsome smile.
Recently, he has tormented an innocent with such relentless determination that the person in question is terrified to set foot outdoors.
In the last week, he has made two false arrests, based on nothing more than a foul temper and thwarted attempts at improper overtures. A good deal of soap may be required to scrub away the bold, scandalous comments he made to a lady of high regard. Reportedly, he…
Stunned by the article, Maggie sank onto a kitchen chair. “Brianna, did you write this?”
“Yes.” Brianna did her best to look chagrined although it was hard to hold back her smile. “Don’t you think it is a well-crafted story?”
“Well-crafted!” Tully hollered, taking off his Stetson and slapping it against his leg. Puffs of dust shimmered in the morning light.
Brianna watched the particles dance in the sunbeam streaming in the window, considering how long she should let Tully suffer.
Maggie placed a calming hand on his arm when he returned the hat to his head and balled his hands into fists. “Tully, take a deep breath. You and Thane have never cared what people had to say about you, so why are you so upset by this? Anyone who knows you will know this isn’t true.”
Tully paced the length of the small kitchen then glowered at Brianna. “It’s that she felt the need to write such a spiteful article and submit it to the paper, portraying her lies as facts. If I’m not tarred and feathered before the day is over, it’ll be a miracle. You know how people are around here.”
Disappointed in her new renter, Maggie looked to Brianna. The woman and Tully had clashed since the moment they met. She’d heard enough from Thane and a few of their other friends to know Tully was fighting his attraction to the lovely Miss Dumont tooth and nail.
From what Maggie had observed, Brianna was equally attracted to Tully and every bit as determined to ignore the spark that sizzled between the two of them.
However, none of that explained why Brianna felt the need to defame Tully in such a public way. The article could stir up no end of trouble for him.
“Why did you write this article, Brianna?” Maggie asked, placing the newspaper on the table. “It does seem rather…”
“Spiteful. Cruel. Mean. Without a grain of truth.” Tully’s clipped tone belied his hurt at what the woman had done.
Brianna returned to her seat at the table and picked up the newspaper, fanning it in front of her face. “Are you sure about that, Sheriff Barrett? Correct me if I’m wrong, but you did arrest me twice without any true reason. You’ve made numerous comments about my um… about inappropriate topics of conversation. Furthermore, you’ve gone out of your way to bully me since I arrived in town.”
“Well, shoot!” Tully plunked down in a chair and nervously jiggled his leg. “It was all in fun, Fred. I didn’t know you took it all so seriously. I certainly never thought you’d retaliate by writing something like that.” He pointed to the newspaper she continued to fan in front of her face. If he hadn’t been so mad at her, he might have been entranced by the breeze she created as it temptingly stirred wispy tendrils of hair around her face.
“I have come to realize it was in fun, Sheriff. From my observations, you take great pleasure in teasing people, playing jokes on your friends.”
“That’s true, Tully,” Maggie said, then glanced back at Brianna. “But that still doesn’t explain the article.”
Unable to help herself, Brianna giggled. “I know, but I decided to see if Tully could take a dose of his own medicine. Apparently, that bitter pill is one he can’t swallow.”
He stilled and stared at her. “What does that mean?”
“It means, Sheriff, you might want to hang onto this particular copy of the newspaper because it is the only one in which the article was printed. Mr. Packwood agreed it would be quite amusing to let you think the story went out in all the newspapers. He printed one special copy and made sure it was delivered straight to you.”
Relief didn’t quite override the justifiable resentment Tully felt toward Brianna and Bowen Packwood. He’d be sure to get back at the newspaper editor later.
At the moment, he struggled between wanting to hug the infuriating woman who wrote the article and telling her he was proud of her for getting the best of him, or turning her over his knee and paddling her backside for upsetting him like that.
A sound drew his attention to Maggie as she tried to stifle her laughter. She coughed and rose to her feet. “I think I hear the bell in the store. I’ll talk to you both later.” The sound of her giggles carried up the stairs after she disappeared to her workroom.
Tully narrowed his gaze and studied Brianna. “Are you working to get on my bad side, Fred?”
She shrugged and went to the sink, trying to wash away the ink she’d spilled when Tully had frightened her half to death with his arrival. “I thought I already had a permanent place there.”
“I was just starting to think you might not be an infernal pest, and you had to go and prove me wrong.” Tully moved behind her, angry she’d scared five years off his lifespan, but so attracted to her he couldn’t have kept his hands to himself if someone had cuffed them behind his back.
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br /> He reached out a finger and trailed it along the exposed expanse of her neck. Goose bumps popped out on her flesh and he grinned, satisfied by the result of his touch.
Brianna spun around, slinging water as she shook off her hands and glared at him. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing, Fred. If I was gonna do something, you wouldn’t have to ask. My intentions would be clearly evident.” The urge to kiss Brianna’s lips was so strong, the pull toward her almost set him off balance.
Refusing to surrender to the desire, he backed away and picked up the newspaper. “I believe I need to go see Bowen and give him my regards for assisting you in your underhanded deeds.” He grinned as he stepped into the hallway. “Maybe I’ll let him think he’s under arrest and haul him down to the jail.”
“Don’t be too hard on him, Sheriff. The story was my idea. He just agreed to print it.” Brianna hated to be the cause of more trouble, although from what she’d seen, both Tully and Bowen enjoyed a good joke.
“Rest assured, Bowen deserves whatever I toss at him. I still haven’t gotten him back for something he did last fall. This should settle the debt and then some.” Now that Tully had a moment to absorb the fact that he wasn’t about to lose his job or be run out of town by angry citizens, his good humor was restored. One of his favorite things was playing a joke on someone, and he quickly formulated a dandy for the editor of the newspaper.
“Thank you for not arresting me,” Brianna said as Tully started down the stairs.
He stopped and glanced back at her. “You’re off the hook, at least for today. If you see the patrol wagon roll by with your boss in the back of it, don’t be too concerned.”
Brianna smiled and watched Tully rush down the stairs and out the back door. For a moment, she’d been sure he wanted to kiss her. Had he tried, she would have let him.
Chapter Ten
Brianna strolled to the mercantile, intent on finding a gift for Lily. As she walked up the steps to go inside, she noticed a familiar little face peeking around the corner of the building.
“Come inside with me, Sammy. You will provide great assistance with my shopping.” She held a hand out to the child.
Sammy ran over and clasped Brianna’s gloved hand with fingers that weren’t entirely grubby. The little boy lifted a questioning gaze to her.
“I need to find a gift for Lily Jordan. Do you know her?”
The boy shook his head.
Brianna walked inside the store, still holding the small hand in hers. “What do you think a little girl would like for her birthday?”
Immediately, Sammy went to a display in the women’s department and pointed to a child-sized parasol made of pink lace with a smooth cherry wood handle.
“My gracious, Sammy. Lily will adore that.” Brianna picked up the parasol and smiled at the child. Taken aback by the little boy’s selection, the gift suited Lily perfectly. “I think you need a gift, too.”
Sammy snapped his head around and stared at Brianna then pointed to his chest, questioning if she spoke to him.
Brianna laughed softly and placed an arm around his thin shoulders. “Yes, you, Sammy. Why don’t you pick out something you’d like to have, just for fun?” Fully expecting the child to choose something like a harmonica or a surplus of candy, the boy hurried over to a display of books and selected a storybook.
Surprised Sammy wanted a beautifully illustrated copy of Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tales, Brianna bent down close to the child. “Are you sure that’s what you want, Sammy?”
Vigorously, the boy nodded his head. The hopeful glimmer in his blue eyes pinched Brianna’s heart. Again, she wondered what kind of life the child led. He ran wild about town half the time, when he wasn’t delivering papers for Mr. Packwood or following her around.
Without the ability to speak, it was hard to question Sammy about his life, but Brianna planned to inquire into his well-being with Tully. Even though Sammy appeared fed and clean, the fact he seemed so alone bothered her.
“Do you know how to read?” Brianna asked as they made their way to the front counter.
Sammy nodded and clutched the book tighter against his chest, as though fearful Brianna might take it away.
Soothingly, she rubbed her hand across the boy’s back when they reached the cash register. While Mr. Miller wrapped Lily’s parasol in a piece of shiny paper, Brianna asked Sammy to pick out some candy while she purchased more ink and another writing tablet.
When they left the store, they walked to the park. Sammy sucked on a peppermint drop while Brianna read a fairy tale from the book. At the end of the story, Brianna closed the book and felt an odd contentment as Sammy leaned against her, asleep. Gently moving the child so he rested with his head on her lap, Brianna relaxed in the shade of a tree, happier than she could recall being for a very long time.
There was something so oddly satisfying about the unbridled affection of a child. The sweet innocence on the little boy’s face stirred maternal feelings she’d never experienced.
While the boy slept, Brianna watched people in the park and began gathering her thoughts for a new article she planned to write. If Mr. Packwood didn’t want it, perhaps she’d send it to a magazine. Several national publications might be interested in her writings.
She grew up pampered and spoiled, but she was determined to forge a successful future based solely on her own skills and talents.
When he awoke, Sammy seemed embarrassed to have fallen asleep. Brianna gave him a hug and sent him on his way with his book held like a prized treasure and a handful of candy pieces in his pocket.
The next day, Brianna impatiently awaited the time to leave for Lily’s party. Tully had asked if she wanted to take a buckboard or ride a horse out to the Jordan Ranch for the little girl’s celebration.
She decided to try riding astride a western saddle and told Tully she’d prefer to travel on horseback. He asked her to meet him at his house at half past four that afternoon.
Although she would have argued the fact had anyone pointed it out, she’d checked the clock so often, the hands seemed to cease moving forward. The reason had to be her excitement to see the ranch and the Jordan family.
It most certainly couldn’t have a thing to do with the good-looking sheriff and the idea she’d be alone with him both going to and returning from the ranch.
Finally, it was time to leave. She checked her image in the mirror one last time, grabbed Lily’s gift, and hurried out the door. As she strode through town in her split skirt, enjoying the freedom it offered, she waved to Pastor Eagan and his wife. A glance behind her as she headed toward the edge of town confirmed Sammy followed, attempting to remain unnoticed.
Brianna turned a corner and stopped, waiting for the little boy to sneak around it. When he did, she wrapped her arms around him and said, “Boo!”
The boy turned on her with such a glower of indignation and fury, Brianna couldn’t help but laugh.
Sammy pushed away her hands, but Brianna gently squeezed his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Sammy, but I’m riding out to the Jordan Ranch. You can’t follow me clear out there. Do you need anything before I leave town?”
The boy shook his head then raced off without another glance back at her.
Brianna resumed her walk to Tully’s place, pondering over many things, including the little boy. One of these days, she might just follow him to see where he lived and have a conversation with his parents about letting the child roam freely about Baker City.
At the edge of town, Brianna walked a few hundred yards when she noticed a lane and saw a farmhouse and barn behind some trees. Convinced it had to be Tully’s place, she turned and followed the pasture fence as it led to the house.
Shirtless, Tully stood in front of a hand pump near the barn, splashing water over his face and chest.
Brianna watched every movement he made with rapt interest. The sheriff had to be one of the finest male specimens she’d ever seen, not that she’d witnessed any men half-
dressed as he was.
Sun glistened through the droplets of water clinging to the hair covering his muscled chest and stomach. As he straightened and wiped a towel over his face, his shoulders seemed wide enough to carry the worries of the world.
Completely intrigued by the splendid sight of him, humiliation burned over her face and down her neck when he looked up and caught her ogling him.
“Hey, Fred, I was just wondering if I needed to come get you or if you’d find your way out here.” Tully grinned and draped the towel over the pump handle. “Glad to see you made it.”
A proper gentleman would have covered his form and offered an apology for his unclad state. However, Brianna had already learned there was nothing proper about Sheriff Tully Barrett.
The arrogant man plucked a leaf off a plant and stuck it in his mouth then sauntered toward her in a rolling gait that only served to highlight his impressive form. Her gaze traveled over the tousled waves of his hair to his dimpled cheeks and charming smile to that spectacular chest and down the length of his long, solid legs, encased in the denim trousers he and Thane Jordan seemed to favor.
The cocky grin on his face broadened when she lifted her gaze to his. Mischief and merriment twinkled in his eyes as he stepped so close to her, the tips of his dusty boots brushed the hem of her riding skirt. The pleasant aroma of mint mixed with his alluring masculine scent.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re staring at something you like seeing an awful lot, Miss Dumont,” Tully teased. He widened his stance and, much to her combined elation and dismay, flexed his many muscles.
Helpless to look away, she remained in mesmerized fascination, pondering why Tully Barrett had been blessed with good looks, charm, strength, wit, and a rugged appeal so hard to resist.
The man was full of himself, annoying, frustrating, and… entirely alluring.
Brianna’s fingers itched to reach up and trace across Tully’s chest, to see if the muscles felt as firm as they appeared.
Ignoring the intense longing, she stepped back and forced her gaze to a pasture where several horses grazed. Two saddled horses waited in front of the barn, their reins tied to a hitching rail. She recognized the buckskin the sheriff usually rode, although she hadn’t previously seen the other horse.
Corsets and Cuffs: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 3) Page 11
