The Reluctant Outlaw (Love Inspired Historical)

by Karen Kirst

  In her haste, her legs seemed sluggish in the water. At last she reached the shore, and she dashed to her hiding place behind the curtain of branches. Loosening the drawstring, she ripped her wet camisole up and over her head and pulled off the knickers, not taking the time to dry herself before hurriedly pulling on her navy calico. The sound of horses’ hooves grew louder. Her trembling fingers fumbled with the buttons. Stuffing her feet into her boots, she burst out of her hiding place in time to see Evan withdraw his weapon.

  Evan assumed an air of calm. Not an easy task considering that he was sopping wet and half dressed. He had no idea what to expect from the approaching trio. Could be normal folks. Or they could be outlaws like Cliff Roberts and his gang. If that was the case, he was at a disadvantage.

  Gripping the revolver, he kept his gaze on the riders. When they got close enough, he was able to see that the lead horse carried a clean-shaven male, the second, a female, and the third a young boy. A family. Evan relaxed his stance, but his gaze remained sharp.

  Thank You, God. The thanks were heartfelt and spontaneous. He admitted to himself that he couldn’t protect Juliana without help from God.

  “Howdy,” the man greeted cautiously. He appeared to be older than Evan, possibly in his mid-thirties. All three horses halted. “Mind if we stop and rest awhile?”

  Evan smirked, thinking of the handmade sign Juliana and he had seen on the other side of the lake. “Fine with me.”

  The man’s attention volleyed between Evan and Juliana, who stood waiting by the trees. He was assessing the situation, of course, just as Evan had done. With instructions to the woman and boy to stay put, he dismounted and approached with an outstretched hand.

  “The name’s Henry Talbot.”

  Evan shook the man’s hand. He’d learned to distinguish honest men from the corrupt over the course of the last few months. This one appeared to be on the up and up. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Evan Harrison.”

  Mr. Talbot’s gaze slid to Juliana once more, then to Evan’s haphazard attire. “I hope we aren’t disturbing you.”

  Knowing what he must be thinking, Evan felt heat creep up his neck. “No, no…we were swimming, is all.”

  The man hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “My family and I’ve been traveling since this morning. We need a break, especially the little ones.”

  “Yeah, well, this looks like a fine place to camp. Don’t mind us.”

  “Great. I’ll go tell my wife.”

  While Mr. Talbot went to assist his family, Evan holstered his weapon, made quick work of his shirt buttons and tucked the ends into his waistband. He strode over to Juliana. Her face was pale.

  He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

  Her gaze was on the newcomers. “Who are they?”

  “Henry Talbot and family.” He threaded his fingers through hers, pleased with how well her hand fit into his larger one. “Come on, let’s go meet everybody.”

  “Wait.” She held back. “What are we going to tell them about us?”

  Evan met her questioning gaze. “Nothing. Most likely they’ll assume we’re husband and wife.” Her green eyes lit with emotion he couldn’t identify. “Does that bother you?”

  “I hate the thought of deception.”

  In the not-so-distant past, Evan would’ve felt exactly the same way. After months of living a lie, however, he’d pushed aside his conscience enough times to weaken its effect. He felt ashamed.

  “I’m sorry I’ve put you in this position, but that doesn’t change reality. A single man and woman traveling alone together—well, it simply isn’t done. We don’t want them asking questions we can’t answer.”

  “I know.”

  The look in her eyes made it clear that she trusted him. Juliana humbled him in so many ways. She thought he was a wanted man and yet, she trusted him. Juliana O’Malley was a rare woman.

  He leaned in close, so that their foreheads nearly touched. “Why aren’t you married, Juliana?”

  He heard her swift intake of breath. Her cinnamon-colored eyebrows drew together. “Why are you asking me this?”

  “I’m curious, that’s why.”

  “I haven’t met anyone I wanted to marry, I guess.”

  “Have you ever been asked?”

  Her chin came up. “You’re getting awfully personal, Mr. Harrison.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “I’m not answering any more of your questions.” Her green eyes blazed in bold defiance.

  When he spoke, his voice was as smooth as velvet. “Remember, Irish, you’re my wife for the next twenty-four hours. As hard as it may be, try to act like you’re crazy about me.”

  On a whim, Evan pressed his mouth against hers. A jolt of lightning-swift heat surged through him clear down to his toes. In that instant, he knew he was lost. Soft and sweet with a hint of honey, her lips were like a cool drop of water to a man dying of thirst.

  Of their own volition, his hands crept up to cradle her face, his thumbs stroking her satin cheeks. A tide of unfamiliar emotion welled up within him and threatened to carry him away. He fought the urge to crush her to him and never let go.

  He tore his mouth from hers, his breathing ragged. She stood stock-still, her eyes a maelstrom of emotion. Accusation. Longing. Confusion.

  “Juliana, I—” he began, his voice gravelly.

  “Mr. Harrison?”

  Evan dropped his hands and pivoted to find Henry Talbot and his family standing a few feet away. The boy’s eyes were wide as saucers, which meant they’d probably witnessed the kiss. His ears burned with embarrassment.

  He eased Juliana forward. “Excuse me, Mr. Talbot. I didn’t hear your approach. This is Juliana.”

  Juliana didn’t spare a glance his way as she bestowed a welcoming smile on the couple.

  “This is Rose.” He indicated the small, dark-haired woman by his side, “and this is our son, Matt.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Juliana offered in a friendly manner. “What’s the little girl’s name?”

  Confused, Evan glanced around to see whom she was referring to. Then Rose Talbot turned sideways, and he glimpsed the sleeping toddler snug in her wrap. He hadn’t noticed the material harness strapping her to her mother’s back.

  “Her name is Joy.” Mr. Talbot smoothed her dark hair with a gentle hand and shared a smile with his wife. “We waited a long time for this little treasure.”

  “She’s adorable,” Juliana said in a soft voice, clearly enchanted with the curly-headed tot. “How old is she?”

  Rose spoke up. “She’ll be two next month.”

  Evan turned his attention to the boy. “You must be about twelve.”

  Matt’s face relaxed into a gap-toothed smile. “Naw, mister, I just turned nine in March.”

  He feigned disbelief, rocking back on his heels. “I can’t believe it. By the way you handled your mount, I thought for sure you were older.”

  Matt shrugged, his eyes downcast as he toed the dirt with his boot.

  “Your pa must be really proud,” he added.

  Mr. Talbot nodded. “I am at that. Matt’s a quick learner.”

  Evan clapped his hands together. “How about I start a fire and put on some coffee?”

  “We’d be much obliged, Mr. Harrison,” Mr. Talbot agreed. “Matt, come and help me with the horses.”

  “Yes, sir.” Matt straightened to attention.

  “Please, call me Evan.”

  “And you can call me Henry.” He wrapped his arm around his son’s small shoulders and led him away.

  Juliana stepped forward. “Can I help you, Mrs. Talbot?”

  “That’s sweet of you, thanks.”

  While Juliana helped the other woman, Evan went in search of firewood. His mind was not on the task—it was on the kiss. The experience had rocked him to the core. The touch had been so intimate, so sweet…he couldn’t imagine kissing anyone else besides Juliana. Just the thought of another
man touching her made his stomach clench in anguish.

  Face the facts, Harrison. You have no claim on her.

  It was true. Besides, he couldn’t afford to get sidetracked now. He was on a mission to find James’s killers and bring them to justice. Too much was at stake.

  He’d have to watch his step from here on out. A couple of days—three at the most—and he’d drop her off in Cades Cove. Leave her in his cousin’s capable hands. Time away would help him get perspective on things. He and Juliana had simply spent too much time alone together. What normal, red-blooded man could hold himself aloof from her for very long?

  Juliana was beautiful and graceful and sweet, with a little spice thrown in for good measure. He liked her spirit. She kept him on his toes.

  Stop it. Listing her attributes won’t help matters.

  Evan pushed thoughts of her out of his mind and focused instead on the mundane task of finding firewood.

  Chapter Eleven

  Juliana sat cross-legged in the grass, her arms cradling the petite toddler. The girl’s mother was taking a few moments to stretch and refresh herself. Joy’s body was a warm weight in her lap, her chubby hands clasped together as if in prayer. Brown curls framed a heart-shaped face. Impossibly long, sooty eyelashes rested against pink cheeks. Her rosebud mouth was parted to form a small O.

  Unfamiliar feelings stirred in Juliana’s chest. Would a daughter of hers look like this precious treasure? Or would she have red hair and pale skin like her? She wondered what Evan’s offspring would look like. Glossy black hair, deep indigo eyes and golden skin?

  Rose approached carrying a bulging leather satchel and sat across from Juliana. “Is she getting too heavy?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Joy doesn’t normally sleep this long, but she’s been ill. I didn’t want to travel until she’d fully recovered, but we need to get home.”

  The poor baby. “What was the illness?”

  Rose pushed wayward strands out of her eyes, her weariness evident in the way she arched her back and kneaded the back of her neck. “I’m not sure. We’ve been visiting my sister the last few weeks, and her husband and sons came down with a high fever and chills. Joy was the only one of us to get it.” She reached out and smoothed her daughter’s hair. “I was worried sick about her. I lost a child to sickness a few years back, and it nearly buried me. Just the thought of losing Joy or Matt…” Her voice trailed off and her brown eyes grew wet with moisture.

  The grief in the other woman’s voice spurred Juliana to reach over and squeeze her hand. “Are you a believer, Rose?”

  She gave her a quivering smile. “I am.”

  “Would you mind if I said a prayer for Joy?”

  “I’d appreciate that, Juliana.”

  Still holding the other woman’s hand, Juliana closed her eyes and uttered a simple prayer. “Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us. Your Word says that You have a plan for each of us, a plan for a future and a hope. Please restore little Joy’s health and give the Talbots a safe trip home. We know that You are in control, and You will never abandon us. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.”

  Her intent had been to encourage the other woman, but remembering God’s promises aloud boosted her own flagging spirits. God had allowed Evan to kidnap her, and He’d been with her every moment since. He hadn’t lost sight of her. She didn’t understand His reasons, but she recalled reading somewhere in His Word that His thoughts were above her thoughts and His ways above her ways. That made sense, considering that He created the entire universe, and He created her.

  “Thank you.” Rose sighed and smiled. “Not everyone would take the time to pray for a stranger.”

  The other woman’s face grew serious once more. Her eyes were sharp as she scanned their surroundings in a deceptively casual manner. Seeing no one about, she spoke in urgent tones. “I can help you, too. I know it’s none of my business, and my Henry would say I’m putting my nose where it doesn’t belong, but I simply have to ask where you got that shiner.”

  Juliana’s hand went to her mouth in surprise. She’d forgotten all about the bruises. What could she possibly say? Certainly not the truth! She couldn’t bring herself to outright lie to this kind woman, however. Think, Juliana, think!

  “I know it looks bad—” she held Rose’s concerned gaze. “You must believe me, however, when I say that Evan would never hurt me. He’s a good man.”

  And she realized that she meant it. Deep down, Evan was a good man. He was guilty of making bad choices, of course. But he had admitted to being a Christian and was even familiar with the Holy Scriptures. At some point he’d lived a normal life. How she wished she’d met him back then. Maybe they would’ve had a chance.

  Rose was waiting for her to continue, uncertainty etched in her features.

  “There was another man.” Joy stirred in her lap and rubbed her eyes with her fists. “Evan rescued me from him.”

  “Oh.” Rose looked at a loss for words, but she appeared to accept Juliana’s assertion. “Well, then, I’m glad he was there to protect you.”

  “Yes,” Juliana murmured, dropping her gaze, “me, too.”

  She hadn’t thought about it in quite that way. In an ironic twist, Evan was now her protector.

  “Momma.”

  Juliana looked down into eyes the color of melted chocolate and smiled. The little girl popped her thumb into her mouth and started sucking, content to stay in Juliana’s lap. Her wide, curious eyes stared unblinking up at her. Juliana must have passed the inspection, for Joy’s lips curled up in an impish grin. Her heart melted at the sight. What a treasure!

  A movement at the edge of her vision snagged her attention. It was Evan, returning with an armful of kindling. His intense gaze was centered on her, but he was too far away for her to catch his expression. He was probably wondering what they were discussing so intently.

  Juliana watched him drop the sticks and broken branches in a heap before heading their way. Dusting the dirt from his shirt and pants, he walked with long, purposeful strides. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on his muscular frame.

  “Ladies.” He tugged on the brim of his hat, his larkspur blue eyes unreadable as his gaze scanned Juliana’s face and dropped to the child in her lap. “Juliana, may I speak with you for a moment?”

  “Up!”

  All three adults turned their gazes to the little girl, who’d extended her arms in Evan’s direction.

  Lifting her head, Juliana bit her lip to ward off a grin. Evan looked stricken.

  Before he could respond, Joy scrambled off Juliana’s lap and tugged on his pants leg. “Up! Pwease!”

  “Joy, Mr. Harrison is busy—” Rose began.

  “It’s all right,” he said. Reaching down, he scooped her up and held her against his chest. The toddler and outlaw stared at each other, taking each other’s measure. Then, to everyone’s shock, Joy slapped a noisy kiss on his cheek and giggled. His low rumble of laughter mingled with hers, a delightful sound to Juliana’s ears. She and Rose shared a smile. They watched as Joy laid her head on his shoulder, her tiny arm curling around his neck.

  Serious once more, Evan’s gaze found Juliana’s. The look was full of questions she couldn’t answer.

  She closed her eyes and relived the moments leading up to his kiss. He’d been talking in that honeyed voice he reserved for those times he wanted to charm her. His breath had fanned out across her mouth, teasing her. His lazy caress had driven all rational thought from her mind. Unable to move, she’d stood mesmerized by his touch and the promise in his eyes.

  Evan Harrison might not pose a threat to her physical well-being, but he was downright dangerous to her heart. He had pledged to protect her, yes, but he didn’t care about her. Getting her home safe was all that mattered to him. He considered it his duty and his responsibility. He regretted having played a part in her kidnapping and was trying to make things right.

  The fact that he’d taken such liberties with her when he had no intention of
furthering their relationship angered her. How could he be so casual with his affection…so careless with her heart? Juliana decided then and there to keep him at arm’s length. If she allowed him continued access to her body, her heart would no doubt succumb and she’d find herself in love with an outlaw.

  She opened her eyes to find him still watching her. Her lungs suddenly seemed devoid of air. He held her captive without laying a hand on her! No. She was through being toyed with.

  Jumping to her feet, Juliana murmured an excuse to Rose and strode away, her head held high. How dare he toy with her?

  “Juliana, wait!”

  Ignoring him, she continued walking away from camp.

  “I’ll take her,” she heard Rose say.

  Gritting her teeth, she fought to keep the tears at bay. Why did she allow him to affect her? Her inexperience with men, perhaps? Or was it him in particular?

  “Juliana, please stop and talk to me.” Evan was right behind her, following closely but making no move to stop her. “I’ll follow you back to Gatlinburg if I have to. You know I’m stubborn enough to do it.”

  Stopping abruptly, she whirled to confront him. “Can’t I have a few moments alone?”

  He stood a foot away, hands on his hips, boots planted wide as if braced for a fight. “Not out here, you can’t. It isn’t safe.”

  “Being with you isn’t safe,” she retorted, instantly wishing she could call the words back.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” He dropped his hands to his sides, confusion written all over his face.

  At the appeal in his eyes, the fight went out of her. Juliana chose to be upfront with him. “I’m not experienced in matters of the heart, Evan. I have a handful of male friends and acquaintances, but I haven’t experienced a serious courtship. When you kissed me, I—” She closed her eyes and blew out a breath. “I thought that my first kiss would be with a man I love. A man I intended to marry.”

  “And instead it was with me,” he stated flatly, an odd glint of hurt in his eyes. “I think I understand now why you’re angry. I apologize, Juliana. I overstepped my bounds. It won’t happen again.”