In the Marshal's Arms Read Online Free PDF

could.”
    “I wish I had insisted on a separate bedroom. I hate having my bed right next to my dining table.”
    “Handy when you’re living alone.”
    “And not hard to clean.”
    “Was it your husband’s place before you married, or did he build it for you?”
    “It was his place.” She shifted on the seat again. “Did they tell you in town? About him?”
    “About your husband?”
    “That he’s gone? That he was killed robbing a bank?”
    He turned his head to look at her. No surprise showed on his face. “They told me.”
    “I should have told you. You understand why I didn’t.”
    “You wanted me to think you were a married woman so I would think your husband was coming home. I understand that.”
    “I didn’t know you. I wish I’d told you myself, that you hadn’t heard from someone else.”
    “Did you know he was a bank robber?”
    She hadn’t expected the question, or the way it plunged her back in time to the first time she’d seen them, Edward and Luke, so handsome, so virile, so different from the skinny actor she’d been sharing a bed with. The actor, Jeremy, had slunk away with one look from Edward. She’d fallen for him first, and agreed to let his brother join them after a few weeks. She’d delighted in the wickedness, and hadn’t thought twice about what the two did for a living that made them able to indulge her every whim. “Not when I met him. He was this charming man, you know? Handsome and willing to spend money, and infatuated with me.”
    “And when you found out?”
    She fidgeted again. She hated admitting how stupid and shallow she’d been. “I was already in love with him. I thought it was exciting. I’d pretended to be all these things, but he was living a real adventure. I didn’t think of the danger he put others in, or the harm he’d be in.”
    “When did he bring you to the farm?”
    “There were lawmen on his trail and he feared they would use me to get to him, so he wanted me out of sight. And then I started liking being self-sufficient and he liked having me hidden away. No doubt there were other women. And then the marshal came to tell me he’d been killed.” Her emotions had been all over the place as she’d looked up at the somber man who couldn’t be bothered to get off his horse to deliver the news. Hurt and sorrow. Anger at Edward for getting so cocky and getting himself killed. Anger at herself for being pulled into the life of a bank robber’s mistress. And an odd sense of freedom. The farm was hers now, all hers. She wasn’t rich, but she owned land and a house and didn’t have to answer to anyone.
    “Why did you stay?”
    “Where would I go? My parents wouldn’t have me home, and even if they did, I’d be living by their rules, not mine. Back to the stage?” She shook her head. She’d missed the traveling and some of the companionship, but not the competition, not the constant play for her attentions. “I’m content.”
    “Not lonely.”
    “Maybe I will be by spring. Maybe I’ll be crazy and scream at anyone who approaches the place. People will tell tales about the outlaw’s widow who lost her mind.” She chuckled softly, picturing herself with wild hair and torn clothes, jabbering to herself.
    Just then they crested the rise above the farmhouse. The scene was idyllic, snow floating around, covering everything, making it look beautiful and not run-down. Beside her, Mr. Burgess heaved a sigh of relief, and in front of them, the horse pricked up his ears and picked up the pace. Within minutes they were at the front porch. Jack crawled out from beneath it, wagging his tail anxiously.
    “Start the fire while I see to the stock,” he said.
    “I can get the chickens.”
    “Don’t worry about them. I’ll do it. You get inside and get warm.
    She walked toward the back of the wagon.
    “The supplies can keep until morning.”
    “Our dinner,” she said simply, and pulled out the basket the hotel restaurant had packed for them.