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

That dream had died. “No, thank you.”
    “I’d pay.”
    “I’m fine, Mr. Morgan.” She wanted to run, not shop.
    “Suit yourself,” he said with a grunt.
    Intending to ride with the girls, she headed for the back of the wagon. As she turned, strong fingers caught the bottom of her forearm and turned her back to the seat. His touch was light, nothing more than a brush, but it felt like a shackle. His voice went low, barely a whisper. “You’ll ride up front with me.”
    “I’d rather sit with the girls.”
    “I’m not asking what you want,” he replied. “I’m telling you what’s best.”
    “I don’t see why—”
    “That’s right. You don’t.”
    Dani pulled out of his grip but didn’t move. His eyes tensed with the same worry she’d seen on her father’s face just before the worst storm of her life had swept across their farm. As he’d ordered her to the cellar, a tornado had funneled down behind the barn. She’d learned that day to trust her father’s instincts.
    Beau Morgan’s expression shifted to the mix of a smile and a scowl she’d seen in the kitchen. Her father had known best. Did Beau Morgan?
    “Is there a reason?” she asked.
    “None I care to give.”
    Dani opened her mouth to argue, then sealed her lips. It didn’t matter where she sat in the wagon as long as he took them to a place where they could make a run for the church. When he offered his hand, she accepted his help onto the seat. He walked to the other side, climbed up and steered the wagon into the street. Anyone on the boardwalk would think they were a family.
    And that, Dani realized, explained why he’d insisted she sit at his side. She and the girls were part of a disguise. They turned Beau Morgan into a family man. Who was after him and why? Dani’s stomach clenched. With each block, they traveled farther from the church. Staring straight ahead, she risked a question. “Where are we going?”
    “To see Patrick’s attorney.”
    Dani thought of Emma’s guess. The child had a good mind. “It must concern the girls.”
    The man glanced over his shoulder. Dani did the same and saw them huddled as far from the seat as they could get.
    Looking straight ahead, he lowered his voice. “I haven’t told them yet, but you might as well know. I’m selling the farm and sending them to school.”
    “You can’t!” The whisper scraped her throat.
    “It’s for the best.”
    Dani knotted her hands in her lap. Was it wiser to make a break for the parsonage or insist on seeing Trevor Scott herself? Patrick had never mentioned Mr. Scott. On the other hand, he’d spoken well of Pastor Blue. She was weighing the choice when they stopped in front of an ice-cream parlor. Mr. Morgan hooked his thumb toward the office building across the street. “Scott’s office is on the second floor. I thought you and the girls might enjoy some ice cream while I take care of business.”
    Dani saw the answer to her prayer. “I’m sure they would.”
    “Can I trust you to watch them, Miss Baxter?”
    “Of course.” She’d told the truth. She wouldn’t let the girls out of her sight until they reached the church.
    He reached into his pocket, extracted a few coins and handed them to her. With her heart pounding, she put the money in her reticule and climbed down from the wagon.
    As the girls scrambled to her side, Mr. Morgan stood in front of them with his hands on his hips. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”
    If Patrick had spoken those words, they’d have promised protection. Coming from his brother, they made her skin prickle. Forcing a smile, Dani looked at the girls. “Mr. Morgan is treating us to ice cream.”
    Emma and Ellie murmured a polite “thank you.” Esther squealed with delight and ran to the door.
    “Don’t leave the store,” he said to Dani. “I’ll meet you inside.”
    Feeling his eyes on her back, she led the girls into the ice creamery, then watched through the window as Mr. Morgan neared the