Her Outlaw Read Online Free PDF Page A

heavens. Emma shivered in response, then forced her attention back to the conversation at hand.
    Jake Kimball continued to address Kat. “And her hobbies, what does she like to read?”
    “History books. She’s interested in foreign lands. She has a particular interest in Scotland, as her family originated in that country, and she fell in love with the Highlands during one of our visits there.”
    “An intelligent beauty,” MacRae said. He winked at her, then added, “Scotland is one of the finest places on earth.”
    Emma’s cheeks warmed. She didn’t understand the game here. Was he not going to mention their previous meeting at all? If so, why not? Perhaps the wife she’d suspected yesterday? The mistress? Since she couldn’t very well ask those questions, she replied with the first thing that popped into her mind. “You’re a Scot, Mr. MacRae?”
    “By blood, if not by birth. Actually, I was born in Texas, but I left there long ago. I’m a wanderer by nature.”
    “Oh?” A fellow Texan. Imagine that. Emma leaned forward. Maybe there was no wife, after all. No ties that bound. Wishful thinking, Emma. Beware. Besides, why should it matter to her anyway? “What’s your favorite place to visit?”
    He cocked his head and considered the question. “The islands of Hawaii are particularly appealing.”
    “The Hawaiian Islands?” Emma mentally pictured brilliant flowers, perfumed sea breezes, and an azure ocean lapping gently at naked lovers rolling in the sand on a deserted beach. He had dark hair and broad shoulders and…oh, stop it! “I’ve always been fascinated by that part of the world.”
    This daydreaming indulgence was getting out of hand.
    While Kat and Jake Kimball continued conversing about her, Emma asked herself what was the matter with her? It’s not as if she’d never received a man’s attention before. To be honest, if not modest, she was accustomed to such notice. Every woman garnered attention in a maledominated frontier town. However, it wasn’t her habit to react this way to a man, especially not one she just met. What was it about Dair MacRae that sent her off into a fantasy land?
    Then her eyes widened and her brows winged up as a thought occurred to her—a wicked, exciting, stimulating idea. Was this the sort of escapade she’d come to England in search of? Not an ice cream bet about a donkey tail, but a man? This man?
    Come with me, whispered her dream man.
    I dare you, Alasdair had said.
    No, surely not, the practical Emma asserted. She wanted adventure without danger, didn’t she? This man exuded danger, so much so that the smoldering look in his eyes sent shivers up and down her spine.
    Kimball and Kat continued their back-and-forth banter until finally, MacRae interrupted. “Excuse me, Jake, but perhaps I should mention that you’ve run over time with Mrs. Tate, and you have asked hardly any questions on the list.”
    “Oh, yes. You’re right. I apologize.” Kimball jerked his attention away from Kat and scanned the piece of paper in front of him. Seconds later, he looked at Emma and gently asked, “You said you’ve been widowed for awhile. Why have you not remarried?”
    Emma’s thoughts drifted back to her husband, and a sad smile played upon her lips. She and Casey had grown up together, been friends much of their lives. She’d miss him and mourn him for the rest of her life. “I loved my husband deeply. I’ve yet to find another man who will share with me a love that is strong, vigilant and true.”
    MacRae’s brows arched. “Mrs. Peters” rolled her eyes and let out a soft, but audible groan. Kimball asked, “Will you not settle for less, Emma Tate?”
    She opened her mouth to tell him that yes, she’d agree to the loveless marriage he promised. Somehow, though, after she sneaked a glance at MacRae, other words, surprising words, emerged. “No, I will not.”
    Kimball sat back in his chair. Kat gave Emma a quick, hard pinch. “Sorry,” Kat said,