Missy Meets the Marshal (Lone Star Love Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

him, things I've seen with my own two eyes, but haven't been able to prove to get him locked up. Still, my saying what I saw will make a judge side with you. You'll keep little Lou, darlin'. Don't fret for another minute about that."
    She sighed. Grover hugged her and rubbed her back, and Beth rested her head in the curve of his neck and shoulder. She tried to enjoy his comfort, but she found it hard to do, knowing it wouldn't last.
    She lifted her head. "How do you know Nathan?" She already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it from Grover's perspective.
    "Years ago we rode in the same bounty-hunting posse, and he was a loose cannon every time we hunted a new criminal." Grover shook his head as he remembered. "The wanted posters say 'dead or alive' for the worst of the outlaws, but he didn't notice the alive part. He always took 'em dead. I reckon that's not the worst of it though. He got a real rouse out of watching a man suffer. He aimed his lead for the belly every time, then sat nearby and watched the man bleed to death slowly.
    "He developed a powerful hatred toward me when I ruined that for him one day. I couldn't stand how he watched with a shit-eatin' grin as men writhed on the dirt. I shot a man doing just that, shot him right in the head to put him out of his misery. That bullet blew the man's face off and cost Nathan a thousand bucks. We never got our bounty because the sheriff didn't believe we'd brought in the right criminal."
    Beth looked at her hands and said softly, "Nathan is a cruel man who loves only two things—winning and money. You robbed him of both that day."
    "Yes, I reckon that's the long and short of it. And he comes from a family of hateful thugs. I killed his brother in a shootout a few years ago. I didn't want to, but he was hell-bent on killing me to prove to his older brother that he was a fast gun. He drew first, but I drew faster. It was either me or him that was gonna die that day. I expect Nathan's itching to get revenge, and I'll be ready when he tries."
    She thought about telling Grover he was right, that she'd heard the various ways Nathan planned to kill him and make him suffer, but she decided against it. Grover already knew, so she didn't need to speak of the unpleasantness. She wanted to lighten the mood, wishing to forget about her husband for as long as possible.
    "Grover, I'd like to make us some breakfast. I'm a real good cook if I have myself a kitchen and decent vittles, not just an outdoor fire with beans and whatever herbs I spot amongst the weeds on the trail."
    He beamed at her. "A good cook, you say? You're full of nice surprises, aren't you, Missy?"
    She left his lap and walked to where her dress laid crumpled on the floor next to the tub. "You're not wearing that," he said sharply. "You just had a bath and those rags are filthy. Let me get you a clean shirt of mine. Then later we'll go get you a real frock."
    He returned from the bedroom with one of his shirts slung over his shoulder and Lou in his arms. "Your little chickabiddy was awake but not making any noise. I'll hold her while you fix breakfast if that's all right."
    Beth observed him smiling down at her daughter. He held her ever-so-gently, and Beth's eyes filled with tears. "It's more than all right. It's perfect."
     
     

Chapter 4 - Bent Knee Proposal
     
    Later that morning, Grover sat at his desk with three new sets of wanted posters. He hadn't finished reviewing the posters from the previous day, so he set the new ones aside and started where he'd left off. When he felt satisfied that he'd memorized their faces, he walked to the window and tacked one of each against the glass of the front window. Later he would tack up more copies around town—at the saloon and at Henry's shop. He grimaced thinking about how he'd have to make small talk with Henry when he performed that chore. Henry would study the images closely and more than likely report seeing at least one of the men in his shop the same day.