The Marshal Takes a Bride Read Online Free Page A

his throat. The ugly role he’d played in Laurette’s death waged a battle inside him, choking the breath out of him. “If only I had been there to protect her and the baby she carried, maybe then—”
    He broke off, unable to put into words the self-condemnation that haunted him still.
    As though sensing his inability to continue, Marc changed the subject. “How long will you be in Denver this time?”
    Thankful for the reprieve, Trey lifted his head and focused his thoughts on the present. “At least a month, maybe two. I don’t plan to leave until the trial is over.”
    “You think you’ll get a conviction?”
    Uncompromising resolve spread through him. A month ago, Trey had caught Ike’s younger brother, Drew, and had brought him in for trial. With one Hayes in custody, it was only a matter of time before Trey captured the other.
    “I’ll get the conviction and I’ll find Ike,” he said. Laurette deserved nothing less from him. “They don’t call me ‘Beelzebub’s cousin’ for nothing.”
    Marc’s lips twitched. “Oh, you’re dangerous—except when you’re up against a ferocious schoolteacher.”
    “I can handle Molly’s big sister.”
    “Like you did today?” Marc’s expression was too innocent, deceptively so.
    Trey ground his teeth together and dug his heels into the rug. “Yeah, well, she got lucky.”
    As if she’d planned her entrance for effect, the object of their discussion marched into the room, arms wrapped around her waist. Her glare pinned Trey in his chair.
    Well, now. If that’s the way she wanted to play it . His earlier feelings of shame at sparring with this woman instantly disappeared. Perhaps it was time to put Miss Rigid-Rule-Setter on the defensive for a change.
    With deliberate slowness, he took in her appearance, concentrating on the streaks of dirt on her cheek, the smudges on her once-crisp white blouse.
    So Molly had fought to the end.
    Good girl.
    As he linked his gaze with Katherine’s again, he noted the sudden flicker of uncertainty flashing in her eyes before she covered it with her usual prissy determination.
    Interesting.
    She squared her shoulders. “I’d like that word with you, Marshal Scott. Now. ”
    Trey didn’t like her attitude, nor was he overly fond of the riot of emotion spinning in his gut. “I’m not in the mood for a discussion.”
    “Perfect, because I plan to do all the talking.”
    Marc rose and slapped Trey on the knee. “Go get her, Beelzebub’s cousin. ”

Chapter Three

    B y the time Marc left the study, Katherine’s frustration threatened to steal the remaining scraps of her composure. Trey Scott, with his challenging stare and unyielding presence, didn’t help matters. He looked too masculine, too intimidating for someone who had just championed a five-year-old over a bath.
    With the arrogance only a lawman could pull off, he lifted a single eyebrow, relaxed back into his chair then propped a foot on his knee. “So talk.”
    His attitude made Katherine forget all the reasons why this big, hard man alarmed her. “Marshal Scott, you are a disreputable, ill-mannered disturber of the peace.”
    There. Very pleasant under the circumstances.
    He returned his foot to the floor, then leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “Don’t hold back, Miss Taylor. Tell me how you really feel.”
    His gray eyes regarded her without a sliver of amusement, while the rich Southern drawl rumbled across her tight nerves.
    “Oh, I’ve only just begun,” she said, allowing her growing resentment to take hold. She found it much easier to deal with the large, dangerous lawman when she thought of him as nothing more than a disruptive troublemaker.
    Unraveling his hulking frame from the chair, he rose and began striding toward her. “By all means, go ahead and give it to me.”
    Guard what has been entrusted to your care.…
    The Scripture from 1 Timothy gave her the courage to hold her ground as he approached. For Molly’s sake, she