The Lawman's Betrayal Read Online Free PDF Page B

“There. My neck is covered. Satisfied?” She kicked the mare’s flanks. “Let’s go, Jo.” The animal surged forward; she didn’t look back.
    As she rode away, Wes found himself admiring her rounded backside, tiny waist, and the curve of her hip. Desire sparked inside him. He wanted to bury his face in those blond tresses and kiss her until she begged him to take her. Laughing at himself, he shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. He was acting like a schoolboy.
    A nudge of his heels sent his horse galloping forward. When he caught up with her, he slowed his mount. He took his hat off, wiped his arm across his brow, and studied the area. When he saw nothing, he jammed the hat back on, pulling it low on his forehead to fight the glare.
    Even though he could feel her gaze on him, she didn’t speak. They rode in companionable silence for about an hour. When she fidgeted in the saddle, he pointed at a strand of scrub oaks ahead. “We’ll rest there a few minutes.”
    “Good. I’m so hot it feels like my blood is boiling in my veins.”
    A few minutes ride took them to the inviting shade. He dismounted, then turned to help her down. But she’d already climbed from the saddle and now held on to the saddle horn. As he watched, she slowly straightened, rubbed her derriere, and stretched her arms over her head. The thin fabric of her blouse stretched taut over her breasts, clearly revealing the hardened nipples. Again, the lower half of his body surged to life. This assignment might just prove to be the most difficult one he’d ever undertaken.
    “You never cease to amaze me, Mrs. Brecker?”
    She glanced at him. “Oh? Why is that, Marshal Cooper?”
    “I’ve never been around a woman who didn’t talk your head off. You’ve barely said three words the last hour or so.”
    She stared off into the distance. “Well, when your whole world for the last three years has consisted of a small prison cell and you don’t have anyone to talk to, you get kind of used to the silence. You get to know yourself pretty well.”
    He grabbed the canteen from the saddle horn, uncapped it, took a gulp, and handed it to her. “I guess so. My job takes me out on some long rides by myself. You do get used to the silence.”
    The glint of sun off metal caught his attention. He shot a glance in that direction, scanning the area.
    “What’s the matter?”
    He nodded toward the rocks. “Thought I saw something.” He pulled his binoculars from the saddle bag. He took the lens cover off and focused in on a rocky outcropping ahead. He could make out three men on horseback. “Looks like our friends are back.”
    “They sure don’t seem to be concerned about us seeing them.” Naomi sipped the tepid water and splashed it on her face. “I don’t understand. One would think they want us to see them.” She handed the canteen back to him.
    “Yeah, they’re trying to spook us.”
    “You think they’ll attack us?”
    He could hear the strain in her voice. “No, not yet anyway. Maybe when we get closer to town.”
    “Maybe they know of your reputation with a gun, and that’s why they’re keeping their distance. Maybe they think you’re going to leave, and they’re just waiting.” She pointed at the binoculars. “Could I?”
    “Sure.” As he handed the glasses to her, his hand touched hers. Sparks jumped off his hand, racing down his six foot four inch frame. She must have felt something too because she stepped away from him.
    She put the binoculars to her eyes, then sucked in a breath. After a moment, she handed them back.
    “You recognize any of them?” Wes asked as he stowed the glasses back in his saddlebag. “Any of them look familiar?”
    “No, but then I didn’t know many of Roy’s, er, friends.” She paced nervously around the glade.
    He could tell something was bothering her. An attack of conscience? “What’s the matter?”
    His words seemed to startle her. She looked at him as if surprised to find him there.