The Bounty Hunter's Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

girls?” The rig had a single seat. It would be a squeeze.
    Mr. Morgan shrugged. “Suit yourselves.”
    When she bent to lift Esther, he reached for the child at the same time. Their hands overlapped on the girl’s waist with Dani losing the race.
    His eyes narrowed. “Let me. She’s heavy.”
    “I can manage.”
    Esther grabbed for Dani, but Mr. Morgan scooped her up and plopped her on the seat before she knew enough to cry. Scowling, he offered his gloved hand to Ellie, then Emma, and finally to her. Looking at the leather, Dani wondered what it hid. Some people thought a man’s eyes revealed his soul. Dani looked at hands. Calluses testified to hard work. Soft skin hinted at laziness or vice. If Mr. Morgan removed the gloves, what would she see? The trim nails of a gambler? The knuckles of a brawler?
    His eyes glinted. “I won’t bite, Miss Baxter.”
    Satan had said the same thing to Eve. Ignoring his hand, she climbed into the buggy.
    He went to the wagon. “Stay in front of me.”
    She took the reins and drove out of the yard with Ellie pressed against her ribs and Esther in Emma’s lap. The top of the buggy shielded them from Mr. Morgan’s stare, but the creak of the wagon kept him close.
    Ellie squirmed closer to Dani. “He’s nothing like Pa.”
    Emma stared straight ahead. “Pa’s gone. We have to get used to it.”
    “I don’t want to!” Ellie cried.
    “There’s no choice.” Emma tightened her grip on Esther’s waist. “I’m the oldest. That means I have to look out for you.”
    Dani’s heart broke for the girl. She knew how it felt to grow up overnight. They rode in silence, listening to the rhythm of Esther sucking her thumb and the creak of the harness. Behind them, Beau Morgan clicked to the horses, crowding the buggy in spite of the empty road. Dani wondered if he’d watch them this closely in town. The closer he rode, the more determined she became to escape. But how? She needed a plan. “Do you know where Mr. Morgan’s going?” she said to Emma.
    “Probably to see Mr. Scott.”
    “Who’s he?”
    “Pa’s attorney. He sent Mr. Morgan a message.”
    Ellie frowned. “He said to call him Uncle Beau.”
    “I don’t care,” Emma replied. “I want him to leave.”
    So did Dani. She considered barging into his meeting with the attorney, but getting the girls to Pastor Blue and his wife took priority. “Where’s Mr. Scott’s office?”
    “On Fourth Street.”
    The church was on the west side of town. The livery was on First Street. If she could convince Mr. Morgan to allow her to watch the girls while he met with Mr. Scott, they could make a run for the church.
    “What are we going to do?” Ellie asked.
    The older girls would understand, but Esther wouldn’t. She gave Emma and Ellie a conspiratorial glance. “When Mr. Morgan visits the attorney, we’ll pay a visit to Pastor Blue and his wife.”
    Emma’s eyes dimmed. “The church is far.”
    “About a half mile,” Ellie added.
    Dani’s heart sank. Her new shoes had dainty heels. Pretty or not, they hurt her feet. Esther posed another problem. Unless Dani took the wagon, she’d have to carry the child a good part of the way. The more she thought about sneaking the wagon out from under Beau Morgan’s nose, the more she liked the idea. By then, they’d have picked up her trunk and she’d have possession of Patrick’s letters. Unless he changed his mind about custody, she’d need them in a court of law.
    Aware of three pairs of blue eyes on her face, Dani nudged the horse into a faster walk. “We’ll make it,” she said to the girls.
    “I don’t see how.” Emma sighed.
    Dani put iron in her voice. “Do you know the story about Daniel in the lion’s den?”
    “It’s scary,” Esther said.
    “That’s true, but God kept Daniel safe.” Dani let the words sink in. “If God can put lions to sleep, He can get us to the church.”
    “We can see Miss Adie,” Ellie said.
    “That’s right.”
    Esther pulled