Wed to the Texas Outlaw Read Online Free PDF Page B

judge shrugged away Boone’s concern. “I had a deputy and his missus set for the job, paid them a pretty penny of taxpayer money, too, by way of a bonus. Yesterday I was informed that the wife is in a family way and now they’ve backed out of the deal.”
    â€œI’ll get things done quicker on my own,” Boone declared, his complexion looking blanched. “Where in blazes would I get a wife anyway?”
    How odd that Boone cast her a brief sidelong glance. No, perhaps not. No doubt he had only been breaking his stare-down with Mathers.
    â€œA wife is a must, my boy. Everything has been arranged for you and the missus to pose as homesteaders—it’s the only way to draw the criminals out. This particular gang goes after settlers.”
    â€œI’ll settle as a single man.”
    Mathers shook his head. “No, that won’t do at all. A wife gives the impression of vulnerability.”
    â€œThat may be, but where the blazes do you think I’ll conjure up one?”
    The singsong voice stopped suddenly, to be replaced by footsteps pattering into the courthouse.
    Suddenly a smile shot across the judge’s face. “Ah, here she is now!”
    â€œBack out while you can, Boone,” Smythe urged. “We’ll take your case to a higher court.”
    Melinda sat hard on the bench. Even the guard groaned under his breath.
    Boone’s bride-to-be had hair the color of cinnamon, lips the hue of ripe radishes and a crimson gown that barely covered anything.
    â€œMiss Scarlet Cherry—” the judge inclined his head toward Boone “—meet Boone Walker, your intended.”
    â€œOh, my, my,” Miss Cherry purred, but even that was off-key. “It’s the outlaw in the—” Scarlet Cherry stroked nicotine-stained fingertips over Boone’s wrist “—flesh.”
    This would not do. No, not in a thousand years. This woman was to be Rebecca’s sister-in-law? Baby Caroline’s auntie?
    If only Lantree were here. He would intervene with a lecture about the risk of venereal disease.
    In spite of the fact that Scarlet Cherry’s name had everything to do with red, her face was pale, lined and sickly looking. No doubt she had a dreaded illness.
    Wish as she might, Lantree was not present. No one from the family was here to take Boone’s side...no one but her.
    What was she to do? She might argue against this marriage all day and night but, with his freedom at stake, Boone would go along with this scheme in the end.
    Truly, who could blame him for that?
    Still, there must be something that she could do to prevent this injustice.
    She covered her face, thinking, trying to figure a way out of this mess...other than the obvious one.
    Peeking out from between her fingers, she saw the harlot press her beleaguered charms against Boone’s arm. He stared down at her with a frown.
    â€œMiss Cherry,” Boone said while disengaging his arm. “As much as I appreciate your willingness to help, I’ll do this on my own or not at all.”
    â€œGood day to you, ma’am.” Stanley plucked Miss Cherry’s sleeve and hustled her out the open doors of the courtroom.
    My, but that was a relief. The very last thing she wanted to do was report that Boone had been forced to marry that brightly hued woman.
    As far as Melinda could tell, Boone was a man who could capture the outlaw gang all on his own. He had a hard, worldly edge to him that his brother did not have.
    Truly, all Boone had to do was cast the outlaws the scowl that he was currently giving the judge and they would put themselves in irons.
    â€œIt’s a wife or a jail cell, Walker. The choice is yours.”
    â€œThat is no choice at all!” Melinda leaped to her feet, feeling the injustice to her bones.
    â€œIt’s the one he’s got, young woman. Perhaps you would like to volunteer for the assignment...grant this outlaw his freedom.”
    The