Shotgun Bride Read Online Free Page A

wanted. She had enough difficulties ahead without her body deciding to betray her. Why, after years of most men harassing her or stealing from her did she even bother being interested in a stranger? Guess she must be having some sort of brain fever. And a wave of loneliness.
    She removed the will and hugged the worn paper to her breast. “Thank you, Mr. Simpkins,” she whispered. She got up and whirled around the room, pretending to be on the dance floor at some fancy ball in the arms of her Prince Charming. She grinned. No, her breath-stealing stranger. Dodge City, so much closer to her new home than New York. Tomorrow she’d be one day closer to her new life.
    Her stomach growled as she caught a whiff of fresh-baked bread seeping under her door. Papers stuffed under the pillow, she marched to the dining room. On the way, she shoved an unruly curl behind her ear. She would make it out here. She would find a way to make a living. She would not be used again.
    She went downstairs and was immediately impressed at the array of food set out on the table, her mouth watered. Steak, beans, mashed potatoes, green peas, and freshly baked bread, hot out of the oven. She inhaled deeply. So much food. And cold milk. Another low rumble rolled in her stomach, and she glanced around, heat creeping across her cheeks. Had someone heard? After having ordered far too much, she savored the delicious meal and ate until stuffed. Each bite slid across her tongue in delectable satisfaction.
    Her mouth watered when she spied the sideboard, loaded with apple pies. This was heaven. Pure heaven.
    Sated, Kathleen thanked the cook and wandered outside. As much food as she’d partaken of, a good walk was in order. This time she’d pay attention to where she was going. No more bumping into handsome strangers that she couldn’t get out of her mind.
    Kathleen paced down one side of the booming town, crossed the rutted street, and headed toward the hotel.
    “Bother.” Here he came. She hopped off the sidewalk as he quick stepped around a display of apples, barely avoiding a disaster. Brow cocked, she stifled the urge to laugh. Mr. Perfect was clumsy.
    Justice . That’s what it was. Any man that could stop hearts and steal breath needed something to go wrong.
    She balled her fists. Doggone it, anyway . Now he’d visit her dreams, clumsy or not.
    Mike saw her. A few curls bounced along her cheeks and she reached up to tuck them behind her ear. The stubborn tendrils escaped their prison again and a burst of exasperation flared in her eyes as she blew the strands away from the corner of her mouth.
    Watching her so intently, he almost stumbled into a barrel of apples. Jerked to his senses, he swiftly sidestepped the crate and glanced up. She arched one brow in an I-knew-you-didn’t-watch-where-you-were-going smirk and hopped out of the way to avoid a second collision.
    Hell . He forced his gaze straight ahead and refused to turn and watch her backside swish down the street. Then he realized his heart, his traitorous heart, had done a flip in his chest as a surge of blatant want swamped him. Fists clenched tight, he rushed to Hoover’s Bar.
    Willie leaned on the wooden bar as Mike stormed up. A glitter of mirth rimmed his bloodshot eyes. “Saw Miguel earlier. Did you catch your skirt?”
    Heat stole up his neck. “Damn you, Willie. I’m not chasing anybody and you know it, so back off.”
    “Touchy, aren’t we?”
    “Shut up.”
    Willie laughed and wheeled to the bartender. “Hurry up and give this man your brew before he drops. His lady love is miles away, and he sure does miss her.”
    “Beer,” Mike snapped out. Willie always did manage to rub him the wrong way even when he wasn’t goading him.
    “You should have gone with the hands if you’re that impatient to see Sally.”
    Mike massaged his neck. “Hawkins wanted me to make sure his trunks got there.” He glared at Willie. “And I thought Jimmy told you to ride herd on the new hands.