Loving an Outlaw

by Kristen Iten

  Color found its way into Rosie’s cheeks again when their eyes met.

  “Miss Rosie …” He studied the contents of the glass in his hand.

  The husky sound of his voice filled Rosie’s heart with giddy anticipation. She watched with bated breath as Micah searched for words that seemed to be just out of his reach. Go on! I’ve been waiting on you to speak your intentions for nigh on to eight months now.

  Micah brought the glass to his lips, guzzling the liquid in one long series of gulps. He sat the empty glass firmly on the table and filled his lungs with a deep breath. “Miss Rosie, I—”

  Loud footsteps sounded from inside the house. Two men deep in conversation stepped onto the porch. A man of average height towered over his diminutive companion. Thick, jet-black hair tinged with white at the temples gave him a distinguished air. His brown eyes found Rosie. He acknowledged her with a bright smile and a nod of his head while continuing his conversation.

  “Don’t leave until you receive a reply,” the man said. He clapped the short man on the back, knocking his spectacles down the bridge of his shiny nose. The man righted his glasses and took off in the direction of the telegraph office without another word.

  “My dear, Rose.” The dark haired man’s voice was as rich and creamy as freshly churned butter. “You are an angel of mercy. How you always know just what I need is beyond my comprehension.” A few swift strides brought him to the empty rocking chair in front of Rosie. He plopped down opposite Micah, holding an empty glass out for Rosie to fill.

  She hesitated for a moment, eyes darting between the two men sitting in front of her. “I wasn’t expecting to see much of you today, Carson,” she said. Her sweet smile seemed to do the job of hiding her disappointment at the interruption. She filled what was now his cup. “I thought you had some important campaigning to do.”

  “I most certainly do, but not until later. Some of the most influential ranchers from miles around are riding in today.”

  “I remember you telling me about your big supper,” Rosie said.

  “Oh, it’s much more than that, my girl. If I can garner the support of these cattlemen, I’m practically guaranteed that seat in the senate.” He gave a long exhale, a satisfied smile across his lips. “It shouldn’t be too hard. I’m sure they look up to me—my ranch is the biggest one around.”

  Carson sat back in the rocking chair and looked over at Micah. “How I envy your simple life, Sheriff, wiling away each afternoon with this lovely creature.” He gestured toward Rosie with an outstretched hand.

  Micah shifted in his seat. His clenched fist knocked on the arm of his chair in sync with its rocking motion.

  “Well, we wouldn’t want to keep you from your preparations,” Rosie said.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ve set this afternoon aside as a time of rest and recuperation. You, my dear Rose, are just what the doctor ordered.” A confident smile spread across his face as he pinned her with his eyes.

  Rosie’s gaze fell to the planks of wood beneath her feet as heat crept up her neck. Carson Wagoner had a way about him that could charm the armor right off of an armadillo, though she never took his attentions too seriously. It was a talent well suited to a politician.

  Micah cleared his throat and smacked at the dust clinging to his pant leg with his hat.

  Carson leaned his head against the back of the rocking chair. “You have no idea of the rigors of running for public office, Micah.”

  “How do you suppose I came to be the sheriff of Sweet Creek?”

  Carson continued as if Micah hadn’t spoken. “I need times like these to gather my thoughts before heading into the fray once again.”

  Micah, who had looked as if his britches were lined with prickly pear cacti ever since Carson had arrived, finally stood. “Miss Rosie, you really should take my seat.”

  “Oh, that’s all right,” she said. “I’m fine right here.” If there was one thing Rosie didn’t want, it was for Micah to take his leave because of Carson. That had been happening all too often in recent weeks.

  Micah took a step nearer and looked into her eyes once again. “It just don’t feel right for me to sit while you’re over there standin’.”

  He glanced over his shoulder at Carson who had finally stopped talking long enough to stuff an entire pecan tart into his mouth. Micah spoke in a hushed tone punctuated with a little wink. “Besides, I should probably be on my way. This simple life of mine has me pretty busy today.”

  Micah placed his hat back on his head, touching the brim with his index finger. “Thanks for the refreshments and the company, ma’am.”

  “Anytime, Sheriff.” Rosie’s eyes followed him down the stairs. She heard Carson’s voice rattling off behind her once again but wasn’t aware of what he said as she watched Micah walk down the street and disappear into the jailhouse. Her shoulders drooped when the door closed behind him. A familiar twinge of disappointment settled into her chest.

  “Rose, you look pale. I do wish you’d come and sit.”

  “I’ll sit a spell with you. I haven’t had my tea yet.” Rosie wiped Micah’s glass clean with her apron and poured herself a glass of sweet tea. She relaxed into the deep seat of her rocking chair and drank, a faraway look in her eyes. The October sun was nowhere near as punishing as a summer sun in August, but the day had heated up, and Rosie was glad for the refreshment.

  “I hope I won’t disturb you, but I’ll probably be getting in pretty late tonight. I don’t know how long the meeting will go. I can’t afford to leave any stone unturned at this stage.”

  Carson’s words roused her from her thoughts. “Yes, you’re less than a month away from the big day, aren’t you?” she said.

  Carson leaned so far forward that his chair rested on the tips of its rungs. “Rose, I do believe election day is going to change the course of my life forever.”

  As if on cue, Carson’s small companion approached the boarding house. “Here comes Titus,” Carson said. “His face looks pinched. It’s time to find out what news my campaign manager has brought from the telegraph office.”

  He stood and brushed at the wrinkles that had settled into his fine suit of clothes. “If you’ll excuse me?” Rosie was left to her thoughts as the influential rancher-turned-politician took his leave.

  Rosie fluffed the pillows on the settee in her front sitting room, enjoying the rare moments of solitude this evening had brought her. The house was empty except for her and Colonel, an old tomcat that frequented the house whenever he was looking for a meal. He flicked his crooked tail as he watched a beetle trudge across the floor with clumsy steps.

  Rosie closed the curtains for the night and ran her hand across the slick fur on the cat’s back. She settled into her favorite seat next to the picture window, ready to spend her remaining quiet time with her favorite book.

  She leaned back for a moment, closing her eyes and letting the peace soak into her. Her breathing matched the rhythm of Colonel’s purring as the nightly chorus of a thousand crickets soothed her soul. Rosie craved times like these like a fish craves water. She needed them to survive her daily life as the owner of a boarding house. Peace. Quiet. Privacy. This is how life is meant to be lived.

  As much as she enjoyed seeing to the needs of her guests, her home had never been intended to be a boardinghouse filled with strangers. Her father had built it years ago as a family home with hopes that the many bedrooms would one day be filled with the laughter of grandchildren. But that dream had died long ago, leaving behind a hole in her heart that still stung if she ventured to think of the life she longed for.

  Rosie opened her eyes again and thumbed through the pages of the book in her hand. She had just found her place when the sound of shattering glass filled her ears. She had no time to turn to see what had happened. A large rock sailed through the window and slammed into her head with such force it knocked her out of her seat. Everything went black.

  Thanks for reading a preview of Loving a Lawman. CLICK HERE
to watch Miss Rosie and Micah’s love story unfold.

  He thought he could protect her by staying away, but his distance only invited more danger.

  Boardinghouse owner Rosie Porter spent the last twenty years seeing to the needs of others, laying aside her dream of having a family of her own. But ever since the new sheriff came to town, feelings have stirred and old desires resurfaced. Unsure if romance can still blossom anew for a forty-three year old woman, she happens to attract the attention of a handsome boarder.

  Sheriff Micah Lagrange’s heart belongs to the blue-eyed boardinghouse owner, but his head knows they can never have a future together. Scarred from a tragedy in his past, he’s convinced that the best way to protect Rosie is to let her to live life without him.

  His internal tug of war intensifies when she’s injured in a mysterious attack on her home. Micah springs into action, determined to protect her at all costs. He soon realizes that he must let go of his fear if he ever wants to truly protect the woman he loves.

  Loving a Lawman is a Clean and Wholesome Historical Western Romance.

  A Note to the Reader

  Thank you for taking the time to read Loving an Outlaw! Do you love to read clean romance? Visit www.KristenIten.com and sign up for my newsletter. I work hard to find the best deals on new clean romance to share with you. I’ll also let you know when my next book comes out!

  About the Author

  Kristen Iten is a night owl-ish author, and mother of three happy little owlets. She spends her working hours solving mysteries, bringing evil doers to justice, and meddling in the love lives of her imaginary friends. She suffers from an over active imagination, but doesn’t really mind because it helps with the whole ‘writing books thing’. She lives in a cute little town, in a cute little house, with her cute little family, and couldn’t possibly be happier.