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“You didn’t care if she lived or died. What kind of marshal are you? You’re supposed to protect citizens, not shoot at them.”
Adam shoved Ryan in the chest. Ryan shoved back. “I cared about her, but I don’t happen to love her, and you obviously do. Understand the difference? Look at your hands. I’ll bet they’re still shaking.”
“They’re shaking all right, with the need to put my fist through your face. I swear . . .”
Out of the corner of his eye Adam saw Lewis, the man he’d struck unconscious, come up on his knees. He also saw the gun in his hand. At the same instant, Ryan spotted the flash of metal. Both men turned simultaneously and fired.
Adam’s bullet shot the gun out of Lewis’s hand. Ryan’s bullet blasted a hole in his chest. Lewis swayed backward, then pitched forward to the ground.
Genevieve’s hand flew to her throat. It happened so fast she didn’t even have time to scream. Neither Adam nor Ryan seemed much perturbed by the interruption. They both watched Lewis for several seconds to make sure he wasn’t going to move, then turned back to each other and resumed their heated debate as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
She took a step back from them and bumped into Sheriff Norton.
“How can they be so callous? They just killed a man.” Her voice shook with emotion, and she was trembling from head to foot.
“It seems to me that man needed killing. He would have gotten one of them if they hadn’t shot him, so you shouldn’t be fretting about it.”
“Why are they arguing?”
“Ah, it’s just their way of letting off steam. I saw the whole thing from Barnes’s porch. You had both of them real scared, ma’am. If that gun had gone off up against your head, it would have been a real mess.”
The sheriff nudged Ezekiel’s leg with the tip of his boot. “He don’t look so dangerous now, does he?”
Genevieve wouldn’t look at the dead man. She turned back to Adam just in time to hear him tell Ryan he should have tried to negotiate with Ezekiel.
“I never negotiate with criminals,” Ryan countered. “You can get as mad as you want, but after you calm down, you’ll admit I was right to do what I did. I told you I wouldn’t miss. I didn’t, did I?”
“You’re that cocksure of yourself?”
“No, I’m that good,” Ryan boasted. “You made it easy by becoming his target. That was a stupid move, by the way.”
Adam took exception to his comment. He shoved Ryan again. The lawman didn’t budge.
Genevieve desperately needed to sit down for a few minutes. Her heart was racing, and her legs were so weak she could barely stand up. She headed back to the jail with the sheriff at her side.
“I almost got Adam killed,” she confessed in a pitifully weak voice.
The sheriff latched onto her arm. “You’re trembling like a leaf,” he remarked. “It weren’t your fault your man almost got shot.”
“Yes, it was my fault. He was living a peaceful, safe life on his ranch until I came along. I’ve caused him a considerable amount of trouble.”
The sheriff awkwardly patted her. “Now, now, there ain’t no call to cry. You weren’t the troublemaker. That dead man stiffening up on my street caused all the trouble.”
“He was wanted,” she cried out, remembering the poster. She pulled it out of her pocket and handed it to the sheriff.
“You were personally involved with the lady,” Ryan accused loud enough for Genevieve to overhear.
“Hell, yes, I’m personally involved,” Adam roared. “I love her, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t have gotten the job done.”
She whirled around. “You love me?” she cried out.
Adam didn’t even spare her a glance. “Stay out of this, Genevieve. You’re wrong, Ryan. You gambled with her life. I could kill you for that.”
“You can’t love me. I’m going to Paris.”
Both Ryan and Adam turned to look at her. She turned around and ran to the jail. Her mind was made up. She would get her satchel and leave for Kansas immediately. As soon as she had given Thomas his money, she would catch the next train to the coast.
She was in such a hurry she didn’t give the sheriff time to open the door for her. She ran ahead, but when she reached the cell, she discovered she didn’t have the ring of keys with her. She must have dropped it along the way.
She didn’t realize she was still crying until the sheriff handed her a handkerchief.
“There ain’t no need to carry on so,” he said.
“I lost your keys,” she wailed.
“I’ve got them right here,” he said. He moved forward and reached for the lock. “I found them in the middle of the street where you dropped them. I sure don’t understand why you needed to lock up your clothes though. Did you think someone would steal them?”
She shook her head, then nodded. Neither she nor Adam had told the sheriff the money was in the satchel, and she was too weary now to explain much of anything.
The front door opened then, and Adam came inside. He had to duck so he wouldn’t bump his head on the doorframe. He was frowning, but it didn’t make any difference. He was still the most beautiful man she had ever seen.
“Make him go away,” she whispered to the sheriff.
“I’ve got to have a reason to make him go away, ma’am,” he replied as he swung the cell door open.
She ran inside to get the satchel but turned when Adam spoke to her.
“What’s come over you? Why are you so upset?”
She couldn’t believe such an intelligent man could be so obtuse. She stared up at him through the bars and tried to make herself stop crying.
“You almost got yourself killed because of me. You were willing to die for me, weren’t you? You’re good and noble, and I’m not worthy of your love. Your mother would never have forgiven me if anything had happened to you.”
“Nothing happened, sweetheart.”
She wiped the tears away with the back of her hands. “It’s time for us to go our separate ways. Go home, Adam.”
“Genevieve . . .”
She ignored his warning tone of voice. “My mind’s made up.”
Adam smiled. She should have known then that he was up to something, but she was too distressed to think about it. She sat down on the cot and folded her hands in her lap. She had just been through a horrible ordeal, and every time she thought about Adam putting himself in the thick of it, she was overwhelmed with tremors.
She didn’t think she would ever recover.
Adam shut the door and turned the lock. Then he leaned against the bars, folded his arms across his chest, and smiled at her again.
“I’ve got you now, Genevieve.”
“I won’t love you.”
“It’s too late. You already do, or at least I think you do. That’s why you were scared, isn’t it? You thought you were going to lose me, and it scared the hell out of you.”
“How do you know how I felt?”
“Because I was going through the same thing.”
“Love isn’t supposed to be painful.”
“I love you, sweetheart.”
She shook her head. “It could never work. We’re so different from one another, and I’d drive you crazy in no time at all. I’ll never forget you,” she whispered.
He laughed. “Since we’re going to be living together for the rest of our lives, I don’t suppose you will forget me.”
“I’ve got to leave.”
“I’ll follow you.”
“You want peace and quiet, and I like adventures.”
“We’ll compromise and have a little of both.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Sheriff, let me out of here. I have to catch the coach.”
“The sheriff went outside. He can’t hear you, and I’m not letting you out until you promise to marry me. We’ll go to Paris for our honeymoon, and then we’ll settle down at Rosehill and you can plant your garden. I want to grow old with you, Genevieve.”
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She gripped the bars with her hands. He reached over and trailed his fingers across her knuckles.
“This is an adventure,” he drawled out. “You can tell our children how their father locked their mother in jail.”
The sparkle in his eyes was mesmerizing. She stared up at him in wonder. He loved her, and how was that possible?
“Our children?” she whispered.
“Yes,” he replied. “We’re going to have lots of children, and, God willing, every one of them will be as adventurous as you are. You do love me, don’t you, sweetheart?”
“I love you. I’ve always loved you.”
He unlocked the door and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her long and hard, and when he lifted his head and looked into her eyes, he saw the love there.
“You’re the man of my dreams, Adam.”
He smiled. “And you, my love, are my greatest adventure.”
Epilogue
Daniel Ryan was Adam’s best man at the wedding, and Sheriff Norton was given the honor of escorting Genevieve down the aisle of the cottage-sized church on the outskirts of Middleton. She wore the white linen dress that her mother had made for her the year before she died, and in her hand she carried a lovely bouquet of red roses.
Adam could barely catch his breath at the sight of her. His voice shook when he said his vows, but then, so did hers. When the preacher blessed the union, Adam leaned down and kissed her.
They left Middleton an hour later and spent their first night as man and wife in Pickerman’s fancy hotel. Adam had a particular fondness for the town of Gramby, and the town now had a great fondness for his wife. They called her Ruby Leigh, and after trying to explain over and over again, she finally gave up and began to answer to the name.
She was as nervous as all brides are on their wedding night. Her robe was buttoned up to the top of her neck, and its sash was double-knotted. From the look on her face, he guessed it would be easier to break into the U.S. Mint than to get her undressed.
He shut the bedroom door behind him and leaned against it. She moved to the far side of the double four-poster bed, her gaze locked on his.
“Do you want to hear something funny?”
“What’s that?”
“I’m scared to death.”
His smile was filled with tenderness. “I noticed.”
She took a step toward him. “You aren’t nervous, are you?”
“Maybe just a little. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Oh.”
The way he was looking at her made her weak all over. Her heart was racing, and she was having trouble breathing. Loving Adam was going to kill her. The thought made her smile.
“Do you want to go to bed now?” he asked.
“You go ahead,” she whispered. “I’ll join you in a little while.”
He tried not to laugh. “Sweetheart, what I have in mind requires your attendance.”
She could feel herself blushing. “Yes, I realize that. Did you mind giving away the reward money?”
The switch of topics didn’t faze him. “No, I didn’t mind at all. As soon as Sheriff Norton told you about that injured man’s family being so hard up, I knew what you would want to do. You have a very kind heart, Genevieve Clayborne. No wonder I love you so much.”
She watched him take off his shirt and then bend down and remove his shoes and socks. He was still standing by the door, and she suddenly realized he wanted her to come to him when she was ready.
Tonight had to be perfect for her, and if it took her an hour to cross the room, he would patiently wait.
She made it halfway to him before she stopped again. “Wasn’t it nice of Mr. Steeple to send champagne?”
“Yes, it was,” he agreed. “He and Pickerman are already hatching up another plan to get you to sing again.”
“But I made everyone cry.”
“He’s hoping you won’t sing your church songs again.”
“I will though.”
He burst out laughing. “I know.”
She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. “I love you so much.”
“And I love you.”
She sighed deeply and then stepped back and began to remove her clothes. He found it difficult to swallow, and when she pulled the nightgown over her head and dropped it on the floor behind her, his heart began to slam inside his chest. She was perfect.
He drew her into his arms, and the feel of her soft skin against him was as wonderful as he knew it would be.
“You make me feel beautiful.”
“You are beautiful,” he whispered. “Ah, Genevieve, how did I exist before you?”
He kissed her deeply, passionately, lingering over the task of seducing her, and in between his ardent kisses, he told her over and over again how much he loved her. He stroked her back, her arms, and her breasts, and within minutes, her shyness was gone.
She took hold of his hand and led him to the bed. After he removed the rest of his clothes, he eased down on top of her and shuddered with desire.
“I want tonight to be perfect for you, Adam.”
“It already is,” he whispered.
“Tell me what to do so I won’t disappoint you.”
He nibbled on her earlobe. “You could never disappoint me.”
Their lovemaking was magical, and so intense she thought she would go out of her mind. He knew just where to stroke her to drive her wild. She was awkward touching him, then eager, and when she couldn’t stand waiting another second, he moved between her thighs and swiftly entered her. The pain of his invasion became all tangled up in ecstasy. He was so incredibly patient. He moved slowly at first until she was writhing in his arms, and then he increased the pace. He felt her tighten around him, knew she was about to find fulfillment, and allowed his own surrender.
She whispered his name. He shouted hers.
Spent, he collapsed on top of her and buried his face in the crook of her neck. The scent of lilacs surrounded him, and he was certain he had just died and gone to heaven.
She kept sighing. The sound made him arrogantly pleased with himself.
He finally found the strength to lift his head. “Did I hurt you, sweetheart?”
“I don’t remember.” Her hands dropped down to her sides, and she sighed once again. “It was wonderful.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind if we made love again?”
She knew he was teasing because of the sparkle in his eyes. “Now?” she asked.
“Soon,” he promised.
“Every night,” she decided. “We must make love every single night.”
God, how she pleased him. He leaned down and kissed her again. “Life with you is going to be an adventure.”
Author photograph by Mark Braswell
JULIE GARWOOD is the author of seventeen New York Times bestsellers, including Mercy, Heartbreaker, Ransom, and Come the Spring. There are more than thirty million copies of her books in print.
Books by Julie Garwood
Gentle Warrior
Rebellious Desire
Honor’s Splendour
The Lion’s Lady
The Bride
Guardian Angel
The Gift
The Prize
The Secret
Castles
Saving Grace
Prince Charming
For the Roses
The Wedding
Come the Spring
Ransom
Heartbreaker
Mercy
The Clayborne Brides
One Pink Rose
One White Rose
One Red Rose
