Read Boot Hill Bride for Free Online Page B

right now." He shook his
    head, pointed toward the doorway. "I have a lot to do
    building this place, getting it started."
    "I could help," she blurted.
    "No, I don't think so," he said, shaking his head.
    "I understand." She didn't, but felt she had to say she did.
    "I'm sure I can make my father understand the situation. I'm
    sure I can go back to Topeka with him and Belinda." She
    hated the thought, but what else could she say?
    A deep scowl covered his face. "No. No, I don't think I like
    that idea."
    She bit her lips together, wished she could think of
    something to say.
    He let out a deep breath. It hung in the air like an ominous
    buzz. After a few moments, he scratched his head and said,
    "No, that won't do at all." The next instant, he slapped his
    hands on his knees and then stood, stretching one of his
    hands toward her.
    She glanced between the large hand and his face.
    48

    Boot Hill Bride
    by Lauri Robinson
    He wiggled his fingers. "Come on. Whether we like it or
    not, we're married."
    "But what are we going to do?" She laid her hand in his. It
    was so large, warm, and comforting, she almost wanted to
    cry. Instead, she stood.
    "I guess we'll just have to play it by ear." He tugged her
    toward the door.
    "Play it by ear?" She stumbled and sucked in a gulp of air.
    The bottoms of her feet hurt from her late night escape,
    stung as if she'd stepped in a pile of broken glass.
    He steadied her by grasping her other elbow. His gaze
    landed on her toes. "No shoes either?"
    She curled her toes, tried to tuck them beneath the hem of
    the britches. "They're—"
    "At Danny J's," he finished.
    She nodded, but didn't lift her eyes, kept them locked on
    the top button of his tan-colored shirt.
    The tip of one of his fingers slid beneath her chin and lifted
    her face. "I'll send one of my brothers down to get your
    things."
    She would have spoken, but for some reason a thick lump
    had formed in her throat. Tears threatened to spill from her
    eyes.
    His hand moved to pat her back, and his chin settled on
    the top her head. "None of that now. There's nothing to be
    afraid of."
    How did he know fear stirred in her stomach?
    "Randi?" He leaned back, looking down at her.
    "What?" The word barely squeaked out.
    49

    Boot Hill Bride
    by Lauri Robinson
    "I know you don't know me from Adam, but let me assure
    you, as long as I'm near, you have nothing to fear. Not from
    your father, not from Belinda, not from anyone. I won't let
    anyone hurt you. I promise."
    His promise made a wave of something she couldn't quite
    explain flow over her body. It was warm and soothing, like a
    warm cup of sweet tea in the depth of winter.
    She glanced up, meeting his kind gaze. Quelling an instant
    river of grief tumbling across her stomach, she nodded,
    hoping he believed she understood. Problem was he didn't
    understand. Nobody did. Her father and Belinda never hurt
    her on the outside, never did things people could see. The
    injuries they inflicted were on the inside, where it really hurt.
    [Back to Table of Contents]
    50

    Boot Hill Bride
    by Lauri Robinson

Chapter Four
    Howard pulled the flap open and held it aside for Randi to
    step out. The sun, high in the sky, instantly reminded him
    how much of the day had slipped by. At least his brothers had
    been busy. Two other tents had been erected and several of
    the men he'd hired last week were busy sawing lumber into
    the pre-measured dimensions he'd left for them.
    A cold chill raced across his shoulders when he noticed
    Randi's father, step-mother, and aunt sitting at a table
    outside the tent set up for Ma. A fire pit, already aflame,
    hosted a tripod. He couldn't hear the words, but saw his
    mother's animated body language as she filled large tin cups
    from her tattered old pot.
    "Damn, when it rains it pours," he muttered.
    "Excuse me?" Randi asked.
    "Nothing. Just thinking aloud, I guess."
    "Oh." Randi's gaze followed his and settled on the unusual
    tea party. He could only imagine what she