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she wasn't for sure, either 38
    Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
    by Lauri Robinson
    way, she couldn't stop the water from slipping out of her eyes.
    "If you don't want her, Kid, I'll marry her. Can't ya tell she don't want to see her brother hanged?" Skeeter's whinny voice penetrated her ears and caused a loud sob to burst between her lips. The skinny brother made her skin crawl.
    "No, you won't," Stephanie Quinter piped in. "I already told you she's too fine for you. Had she been some sodbuster gal it would be different. Look at her, it's as plain as the nose on your face she's a refined gal. Knows her numbers and all, knows how to talk good. You wouldn't know what to do with her."
    The woman's hands rubbed on Jessie's shoulders. She didn't know if she should be honored by the woman's kindness or frightened to death at the thought of marrying Kid Quinter. The one thing she did know, the older brother was a whole lot cleaner looking and acted kinder than Skeeter—if those were her only two choices. Unable to withstand the stares any longer, Jessie buried her face in her hands.
    "Come on, Kid, the storm's lifted. I gotta get back to town. Either you agree to marry the girl, or I take her brother to town for hanging," Turley said.
    Kid couldn't believe this was happening. Nor did he appreciate how much Malcolm Turley enjoyed it. The man had had it in for him for years. Since his cattle ranch became successful, the sheriff had gotten more determined. All because of Emma Sue White—the woman had once set her cap on him instead of the lofty sheriff. Kid gritted his teeth. 39
    Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
    by Lauri Robinson
    To him it was water under the bridge. He hadn't had time for a wife back then and was glad when Turley finally married Emma Sue.
    He still didn't have time for one. His attention went to the girl sitting next to him. It wasn't that she wasn't fine enough, matter of fact, she was a pretty little thing. His mother was right; the tiny gal was way too fine for Skeeter. He'd misuse the daylights out of her by just being in the same room. But he didn't want a wife, had no need for one. Not right now, he had too much to do with his ranch and keeping his four brothers and mother on the right side of the law. Besides, when he was ready to marry, he would go to Europe and bring back a refined English lady like the one Sam Wharton, the richest cattle baron west of the Mississippi, had married. Kid shook his head, forcing his rambling thoughts to return to the present. The girl next to him trembled from head to toe, and tears fell from her eyes faster than she could wipe them away. Part of the reason he took to buying the frail cattle no one else wanted was because he couldn't stand the thought of someone misusing or destroying them. He knew with the right amount of care and nourishment, they'd become as strong and grand as the rest of the herd. Those same feelings entered his chest. This little girl needed care and nourishment. Obviously, he was the only one who saw it; the rest of the room only saw fifty dollars or a hanging when they looked at her.
    "What's it gonna be, Kid?" Turley's impatience was as clear as the Roman nose on his face.
    "All right, I'll marry her."
    40
    Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
    by Lauri Robinson
    The girl's head snapped toward him. He wasn't sure what he read on her face—thankfulness or fear. He wished his hands weren't still tied behind his back. He wanted to squeeze one of her tiny ones with reassurance. Let her know he'd never let any harm come to her. He'd nurture her until she was at her peak, and then ... Then what? He'd have to think about what he'd do once she was fit for the world. He pulled his eyes away and looked at her brother. "I'll marry her, under one condition."
    "What's that?" Turley asked.
    "That her brother comes to work for me. I'll pay him ten dollars a month, of which half will go to Bug to pay for Miss Molly. After ten months,