The Lawman (The Willow Creek Series #1) Read Online Free Page A

cleaner than the floor. Let’s not forget this is a jail, Miss Thornton. It isn’t set up for your comfort. You’ll get no special treatment from me just because you’re a— lady .”
    The way he said lady caused Abigail’s irritation to grow and she looked over her shoulder at him. He was still smiling. “Am I to assume my meals will consist of water and bread, then?”
    “You can assume what you want.”
    “Well, in that case,” she said, turning to face him and placing both hands on her hips, “I’ll assume you’re as big an ass as you seem.” His smile faltered and Abigail gave him one in return that made her cheeks ache before she sat down on the edge of the cot. She laid her reticule on her lap and stared back at him, unmoving.
    The staring contest may have lasted all night if the door hadn’t opened minutes later. A man who looked very much like the marshal stepped inside and shut the door behind him, his gaze searching and finding her in the cell. He smiled and shook his head. “Vernon told me you locked up a woman but I had to come see for myself.”
    “It’s nice to see you too, brother.”
    This new man was everything the marshal wasn’t. Clean, freshly barbered and had an easy going smile. Abigail watched him take the vacant seat across from the desk and smiled at him again when he turned to look at her. “You can’t keep her locked up, Morgan,” he said, not taking his gaze from her. “The townsfolk will have a hissy fit.”
    “She started a brawl in the saloon, among other things. Once they find out why she’s here, they’ll understand.”
    The man snorted a laugh. “I doubt that. I’m sure Edna is on her way over right now to give you a piece of her mind.”
    “She’ll do that regardless of who I have locked up in here.” The marshal looked over at her before lowering his feet to the floor and standing. “Come on,” he said, gesturing to the door to the other man. “Take a walk with me. I suddenly have a need for some fresh air. It stinks like a weeks worth of horse shit in here.”
    When they started for the door, Abigail rose as well. “Marshal! You can’t leave me in here.”
    “Sure I can,” he said, looking over his shoulder at her. “You’re locked up, remember? You’re not going anywhere.” With a parting smile, he left, the door closing behind him.
     
    * * * *
     
    Morgan wasn’t able to wipe the grin off his face until he stepped off the sidewalk. “Buy me a drink, Holden,” he said, slapping his brother on the back. “And tell me what’s going on at the ranch since I’ve been gone.”
    Holden nodded and they walked in silence until they reached the sidewalk in front of the saloon. “Same as it was when you left. Well, except for Alex’s desire to be a horse wrangler now instead of a cowpuncher.”
    “That didn’t last long.”
    “Her career decisions never last long. Of course, she’s only eight. I hope by the time she’s old enough to marry, she’ll be interested in babies and a home of her own.”
    Morgan laughed as they walked inside. “I don’t think Alex even knows she’s a girl.” The barroom had been cleaned, somewhat. There were two tables now standing, both of them propped up with wooden blocks under the wobbly legs. Mismatched chairs were leaning against the wall and the men inside were still there, drinking, cussing and telling lies as usual.
    Reaching the long bar, Vernon greeted them both before pouring them a drink, leaving the bottle behind. “So,” Holden said, grinning. “What’s the story with the woman?”
    Abigail Thornton’s face came instantly to mind and Morgan fought the urge to smile. “She destroyed the bar.”
    Holden shook his head. “One little woman caused all this damage?” He turned to look at what remained of the Diamond Back Saloon. “She must be one hell of a wild cat to break all this shit.”
    She was a wild cat, all right. Her claws came out the moment he spoke to her and she hadn’t retracted