The Lawman Lily Graison
Transcript of The Lawman Lily Graison
The Lawman Lily Graison
ChapterOne
WillowCreek,MontanaTerritory,1869
Walkingintoasalooninbroaddaylightwasn’tthesmartestthingshe’d
everdone,butwhatchoicedidshehave?
Boldredlettersscrawledontoapieceofwoodhungbythesaloondoor.
"NoLadiesAllowed,"itread,theropeholdingitinplacesofrayedtheentire
thinghungatanoddangle.Abigailignoredthewarningandapproachedthe
building,glancingdownthewoodenboardwalkinbothdirectionstoseeif
anyonewaswatchingher.Noonewas.TheresidentsofWillowCreekwere
hustlingabout,mindingtheirownbusiness,andshepreferreditthatway.The
lessattentionshedrewtoherself,thebetteroffshewas.Placingahandonthe
swingingdoorofthesaloonsheleaneduponhertoesandpeekedoverthe
top,takingalookinside.
Tableswerescatteredaroundtheroom,mostofthemcoveredingreen
baize.Mensprawledaroundthegamingtableswhileafewmorestoodleaning
againsttheornatebarthatspannedtheentirelefthandwall.Thelargest
mirrorshe’deverseenhungbehindit,givingheraglimpseofthebackofthe
room.Apianostoodalongthefarrightwall,amansittingbehinditpinging
outtinnynotesinalivelytune.
Astaircasewassituatednearthepianoandaglanceupshowedabalcony
surroundingthemainroom.Anumberofdoorswereseenatthetop,all
The Lawman Lily Graison
closed.Thesignbyherleftshoulderwasn’tentirelycorrect,sherealized,as
shesawthewomenwholingeredatthetopofthestairs.Therewerewomen
insidetheDiamondBackSaloonbutcallingthemladieswouldhavebeena
stretch.TheirbrightsateendressesweremorerevealingthanAbigail’s
underclothesandthat,alongwiththefadedfeathersintheirhair,gaveherthe
impressionofcolorfulbirds.Theterm“SoiledDove”cametomindandAbigail
knewnowwherethephrasehadsurelyoriginated.
Themeninsidetheestablishmentrangedfromdustycowpokestothose
ofamoreupscalelifestyle.Theyallsharedonecommonattribute,withtheir
hardliquorinhandandtheattentiontheyshowedthewomenlingering
aroundtheroom.ThemeninsidetheDiamondBackhadn’tacareintheworld,
itseemed.Unlikeherself.Wouldshemakethingsworsebyventuringinside?
Abigailturnedandwalkedbacktotheedgeofthewoodenwalkway,
lookingatwhattheresidentsofWillowCreekconsideredatown.Arickety
rowofbuildingsranonbothsidesofthemuddyroad.TheImperialHotel
caughtherattention.Fromthewhitewashedwallsandcolorfulcurtains,it
stoodoutamongsttheotherbuildings.Inaplaceassmallandoutoftheway
asWillowCreek,thehotelwasindeedthefanciestthingaround.Thename
suitedit.ShelongedtowalkinsidethedoorandPindoutjusthowgrandit
was.Maybegetaroomandspendtherestoftheeveningdoingnothingbut
relaxinginatubofhot,cleanwaterandeatinguntilherbellywouldn’thold
anymore.Theremainingfundsrestinginthebottomofherreticulegavea
small“ting”whenshebounceditagainstherleg.She’dbeluckytohave
enoughcoinstobuyhersupper.GlancingattheStagecoachstation,she
wonderedifthefoodofferedtherewascheaperthansheknewthehotel’sfare
wouldbe.
The Lawman Lily Graison
Itmadelittledifference.Onemealwouldn’tsolveherproblems.Theonly
thingshecoulddowaswalkintothesaloonandPindtheonlymanwhocould
helpher,assuminghewould.
Sheturnedandstraightenedherspine,givingthewidesaloondoorsa
briefglancebeforemarchingforward.Asmallpushontheswingingdoorswas
allittooktograntherentranceandonceshesteppedinsidetothetobacco
juicestrewnsawdustPloor,sheregrettedherdecision.Everypersoninthe
roomturnedtolookather.Thepianomusicstopped,theclatterofglassesand
chitchatcametoanabrupthalt.Abigailsuckedinabreath,raisedherchinand
turnedtothebar,makingherwaytowarditandignoringthestaresthe
patronsweregivingher.
“Youshouldn’tbeinhere.”Thedeepbaritoneofthebartenderslashedat
hercomposurebutsheignoredhimasthemusicandlaughteronceagain
started.
“I’minneedofassistance,”shesaid,addingasmiletotryandgainhis
favor.
“Unlessyou’relookingforajobIcan’thelpya.”Hesattheglassinhis
handdownanddrapedthetowelhe’dusedtotryandcleanitwithoverhis
shoulder.Theungentlemanlyleerhethrewatherwouldhaveearnedany
othermanaslapacrosshisdaringface.Shewasn’tabouttotryitwiththis
one.Besides,thelastmanshe’dslappedwasstillchasingher.
Thebartendergrinnedandgaveheranotherassessingglance.Abigail
couldtellbythelookonhisfacehe’djumpedtothewrongconclusion.“Wecan
alwaysusenewgirlsaroundhere.”Hegrinned,histhickmustachecurlingup
ashismouthmoved.“I’msuretheboyswouldmakeyouarichwomaninno
time.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
Ribaldlaughterfromthemenstandingatthebarfollowedhiscomment
andcausedAbigail’sfacetoburnhot.Sheknewherskinhadturnedblotchy
withoutevenlooking.Italwaysdidwhensheblushedandhisremarkcaused
herentirebodytoPlushhot.“No,”shesaid,thesoundcomingoutamere
squeak.“I’mnotlookingforwork.”Sheswallowedthelumpforminginher
throatandtookanothersteadyingbreath.“Thestagecoachdriverwalkedin
hereafewminutesago.Ifyoucouldjustdirectmetohim,I’llbeonmyway.”
Thebartenderwasyoung.Orheappearedtobe.Theusualsignsofafull
lifehadn’tlinedhisface.Hisskinwasonlyslightlytannedfromthesun,his
blackhairhadverylittlegrayinit,andtheslopingmustachehidingallbuthis
bottomlipcurvedeversoslightlyashegrinneddownather.Shesmiledback,
hopingthefriendlygesturewouldhelp.Thewayhisgazesliddowntoher
breastletherknowotherwise.
“Peteisamightbusyatthemoment,”thebartendertoldher,leaning
downandbracinghisarmsonthetopofthebar.“He’supwithMissChloe.”He
noddedtothesecondPloorbalconyandAbigailknewwhatthestagecoach
driver,Pete,wasdoing.“Now,unlessyou’rewillingtoworkupstairs,youbest
hightailitoutofhere.Signsaysnoladiesallowed.”
“Isee.”Takingaglanceoverhershoulder,Abigaillookedaroundtheroom
again.Thepianowastinklingoutanothertuneandthechatterofthoseinside
thesaloonreturnedasthepatronswentbacktotheirpreviouscardgames.
Theactivitygoingonupstairswasobviousandthestagecoachdriverwouldbe
hoursincomingbackdown.Unlessshecouldgetsomeonetogospeakwith
him.Sheturnedbacktofacethebartender.“Couldyousendhimamessagefor
me,then?”
Aruckuseruptednearthedoorandagroupofmenambledinfromthe
street.Abigailknewbythelooksofthemsheshouldn’tbeinsidethesaloon.
The Lawman Lily Graison
Saddlebums,byallappearances.Thedirtandgrimeontheirclotheswouldbe
hardtowashout,ifever.Theirstenchcloudedtheairfromhalfwayacrossthe
roomandtheirvulgarlanguagewasenoughtocausehercheekstoburnhot
again.
Thebartendergaveagrufforderto,“Gitonoutofhere,missy,anddon’t
comeback,”beforedismissingher.Abigailhadnochoicebuttodoashesaid.
Raisingafusswouldonlydrawmoreattentiontoherselfandshecouldn’t
affordtomakethatmistake.
Holdingherreticuleclosetoherstomach,shegavehimasoft,“Thank
you,”andmadeherwaytothedoorasthemencamecloser.She’dnearly
reachedherdestinationwhenoneofthemengrabbedher,hisarmwrapping
aroundherwaistandpullingherfeetrightoffthePloor,beforehehuggedher
tohim.
“Whatdowegothere?”HisfoulbreathcausedAbigail’sstomachtoheave.
Hegaveherasqueeze,hisPingersbitingintoherribs.
“Letmego,please.”Shegaspedwhenhisholdonhertightened.He
laughed,themenwhocameinwithhimdoingthesameastheylookedup
towardthebalcony.Shefollowedtheirgazeandsawthewomenwholingered
alongtherailing.
ThearmaroundherwaistpulledhertighterandAbigail’seyeswidened
whenhisfreehandcametorestonherleftbreast.Shegaveashriekandhis
laughterechoedinsideherheadbeforeshestiffenedandkickedbackwith
bothheels.“Letmego!”
“Woo-wee,Igotmealiveone,boys!”Themeninsidethesaloonlaughed
andtheirhoopsandhollersgrewasshestruggledtogetloose.Thehandon
herbreastdidn’trelentbutanotherkicktohisshinswasenoughtogethimto
The Lawman Lily Graison
letgo.Shedroppedtoherfeet,herfacePlushed,andherheartracinginside
herchest.
Hegrinnedather.Whatteethhedidpossessweresodiscoloredshe
grimaced.“There’sbeenaterriblemistake.”Shedartedaglanceupthestairs
againwhentheman’sfriendsstartedtowardthesecondPloor.
“Ain’tnomistake.”Hisgazeranthelengthofherbodyandeventhough
herdresswasamodestcut,shefeltviolatedwhenhisleerlingeredonher
breasts.“Igotmoneyandlotsofit.I’lltakeya’tilmorning.You’llbeluckyto
walkbythetimeI’mthroughwithya.”
“Idon’tthinkso,”shemumbled.Sheforcedasmileontoherfaceand
straightenedherspine.“Iwasjustleaving.I’msureoneofthe—ladiesupstairs
willbemorethanhappytotakeyourmoney.”
Themanturnedhisheadandlookeduptowardthebalcony.Abigaileased
towardthedoorwhilehedid.She’dnearlymadeitwhenheturnedbackto
her.“They’remightypurdybutIthinkI’llkeepyajustthesame.”
AbigailwasmortiPied.Lessthananhourintownandshe’dbeen
abandonedbyawould-be-husband,lefthomelessanddestitute,andnowshe
wasbeingmistakenforawhore.Couldherdaygetanyworse?“I’mafraidyou
don’tunderstand.I’mnot—”Shedidn’tgetachancetoPinishhersentence.
Themangrabbedher,tossedheroverhisshoulderlikeasackofpotatoesand
startedforthestairs.Shevaguelyheardthebartenderyellsomethingasthe
man’sbootedfeethitthestairs.“Putmedownthisinstant!”ShesmackedaPist
againsthisback,kickingherfeetasthesaloonpatronseruptedintoear-
splittinglaughter.Abigailstruckhisstomachwithakneeandhestumbled,
smackingherintothestairrailing.Afewmorewildstrugglesandhedropped
her.Hard.
The Lawman Lily Graison
Theimpactwiththestairsleftherdazedbutshakingherheadcleared
hervision.Whensheglancedattheman,thelookonhisfacewasn’tthejovial
oneshe’dseenmomentsago.Jumpingtoherfeet,Abigailranpasthimand
backdownthestairs.Shewashalfwayacrosstheroombeforehecaughther.
“Lethergo,”thebartendersaid,comingaroundthesideofthebar.
“There’sgirlsupstairsmorethanwillingtotakeyourmoney.”
“Don’twantthem,”themansaid.“IwantthisoneandI’mgonnahaveher.”
Whenhereachedforheragain,Abigailreactedbyinstinct.Sheslapped
him.Thecontactwithhisfacestungherhandandthesoundrangthroughout
theroom.Thelaughtergrew,theman’sfacecontortedandtherageinhiseyes
wasthatofawildbull.ShesawhisPistcomingtowardher,gasped,then
ducked.Thewildpunchlandedonthebartenderinsteadandthemanshouted
outastringofcursesbeforehethrewhisownPistintothefray,hittingtheman
backinreturn.
Anexchangeofpunchescausedthebartendertoslamintooneofthe
tablesandruinedahighstakespokergame.Themenaroundthetablecursed,
scrambledforthemoneylitteringthePloor,andwereembroiledintheirown
Pightwithinseconds.Thefurniturearoundtheroomwasutilizedtoaddtothe
paininPlictedbythosejoiningthebrawlandthechaosthatfollowedwas
destructiveenoughforAbigailtohopeshedidn’thavetopayforitall.
Shecrawledtothebaramongstthebrokenglass,chairlegsandsawdust
andcrouchedintothecornertowatchwithfrightenedeyes.Whenaman
landedwithininchesofher,sheletoutastartledshriek,jumpedtoherfeet
andranforthedoor—andrightintothearmsofamanenteringfromthe
street.
Thetopofherheadbarelyreachedhiswideshouldersandtheshocked
expressiononhisfacewasn’tenoughtodrawherattentionfromthegreenest
The Lawman Lily Graison
eyesshe’deverseen.Framedbylong,darklashesthoseeyesheldabitof
mischiefthatsomewildpartofherwantedtoexplore.
Hestareddownather,hishandsonherarmstighteningjustafraction
beforehesmiled.Someonecrashedintoherback,knockingthembothintothe
wall.OneofthemenPightingattheirbackthrewawildpunch.Itlandedright
inthemiddleofthenewcomer’sface.Thebackofhisheadslammedintothe
wall,bloodsprayedfromhisnoseandhiseyesrolledbackintohishead.When
hefell,hedraggedherwithhim.
Shelandedastraddlehiships,thebloodfromhisnosesplatteredthe
frontofherdress,ranacrosshischeekanddownoverhisbeardedchin.Sitting
upandrestingherhandsonhischest,Abigailcouldonlystare.That’swhen
shesawit.Theshinysilverbadgeonthefrontofhisvest,theword"Marshal"
engravedintoit.“Ohno,”shebreathedoutshakily.“WhathaveIdone?”
***
Morganfeltaweightonhischestandopenedhiseyes.Awomansaton
topofhim,herwide,blueeyesstaringdownathimwithshockandahintof
fear.Thesightofherbreastssoclosetohisfacelethimignorethatlittlefact
andconcentrateinsteadonthewomanherself.Thefrontofherdresswas
coveredinwhatlookedlikeblood,afewdotsofredsprinkledacrossher
cheeks,andherblondlockstumbledloosefromthepinsholdingitbackand
leftcurlstodanglearoundherface.Aglancedownthelengthofhisbody
conPirmedwhathethought.Shewassittingonhim,straddlinghiships,and
thewarmthofherpressedsointimatelyagainsthisgroinspreadwithin
secondsoftherealization.
The Lawman Lily Graison
Hemoanedandenjoyedthefacthehadawarmfemaleontopofhim.She
wasn’ttheonehe’dcometoseebuttakinganotherglanceatherface,hehad
toadmitshewasaprettylittlething.Hegrinnedupatherandrelaxedhis
body,takingintheweightofher.“Iusuallypreferabitofprivacyandawarm
bedbutifyouhavesomeyearningforpeopletowatch,Imightbewilling…
longasit’soneofyourfemalefriendsdoingthewatching.”
Shegaspedandscrambledoffofhim,climbingtoherfeetwhileherface
splotchedredassheblushed.“I’msorry.Ididn’tmeantocausesomuch
trouble.”
Morganstaredupather,confusedbywhatshesaid,whentheruckus
goingonaroundhimPinallyregistered.Itwasthenthepainthumpingthrough
hisfacepenetratedhisfoggybrain.Heturnedtolookaroundthesaloonand
seeingthePightsremindedhimofsomeonehittinghimthemomenthewalked
throughthedoor.
TheDiamondBackSaloonwasnearlydestroyedfromwhathecouldsee.
Onlyafewtablesremainedstanding,thechairswerescatteredfromoneend
oftheroomtotheotherandbrokenglassshinedupfromthesawdustPloor
likesmalldiamonds.Theonlypersonwhoseemedunaffectedwasthepiano
playerwhocontinuedtopingoutnotesasifnothingwerehappening.
Hesatup,agroanescapingasthethrobbinginhisheadincreased.He
spottedVernonWilkes,thebartender,andyelledouttohim.“Vernon,whatthe
hellisgoingon?”
ThebartenderturnedtohimandgotabeefyPisttothesideofhishead
forthetrouble.Morganletoutacurseandcrawledtohisfeetandstaggered
twicebeforeregaininghisbalance.Whentheroomstoppedspinning,he
crossedthespaceandgrabbedthemancurrentlybeatingthelivingdaylights
outofVernonandtossedhimintoagroupoffourmoremen,allneckdeepin
The Lawman Lily Graison
theirownPightsbeforehelpingVernontohisfeet.“Whatstartedthis?”The
bartendergrimaced,spitoutamouthfulofbloodbeforeturningtolook
towardthedoor.Morganfollowedhisgaze.Thewomanwasstillthere,her
frightenedeyeswideasshetookinthescene.
“That’swhatstartedit,”Vernonbitout,pointingtoherwithabloody
hand.“Sheain’tgotnobusinessinhere,marshal.”
Morganleveledherwithaquestioninglook.“Stayrightthere.I’lldeal
withyouinaminute.”Turningbacktothebarroom,hewatchedthemeleefor
afewminuteswhiledecidingwhattodo.Withthegirlsupstairs,grabbinghis
gunandshootingafewroundsintotheceilingtogetthemen’sattention
wasn’tpossible.Breakingthemupbyhandwastheonlycourseofactionhe
knewof.Andthemostpainful.Hesighedandstraightenedhisshoulders.“This
isgoingtohurtlikehell,”hemumbledtohimselfbeforethrowinghimselfinto
thefray.
Forthesecondtimethatday,someonepunchedhimintheface.He’dbe
barelyrecognizablebytomorrow,hePigured.Thepainalreadythrobbedand
hislefteyefeltalittlefunny.Swellingshut,hePigured.Morganshoutedacurse
andswungback,grimacingattheloudcrackingpopheheardastheman’s
nosebrokeandbloodspilleddownoverhisgrizzledchin.Twomorecameat
him,grabbinghimaroundthemiddleandslamminghimintotheonly
remaininguprighttable.TheycrashedtothePloorandittooklongsecondsfor
hislungstorePillwithair.Crawlingtohisfeet,hegrabbedthePirstmanhesaw
andslunghimintothewall.“StayrightthereorI’llthrowyouunderthejail!”
Tohissurprise,themandidjustthat.
Ittooklongerthanitshouldhavetogetthementocalmdown.Bythe
timethelastonehadfoundsomewheretositandcooloff,MissAngelina
herselfhadcomedownstairstotendtothewoundsofthoseneedinga
The Lawman Lily Graison
woman’sgentletouch.Sheinstructedhergirlstotakecareofthemenand
beforethedusthadsettled,morethanhalfthebarroomwasheadedtothe
secondPloortohavesomesoft,willingwomanhelpsoothetheirwounded
pride.
Everyonebuthim,thatis.
Morgandidn’tthinktherewasaspotofPleshonhisbodythatdidn’tache.
Bloodleakedfromcutstoonumeroustocount,hislipwassplitandhislefteye
wasdePinitelyswellingshut.Heturnedandlookedbacktowardthebar,the
womanwhoranintohimuponenteringthesaloonstillstandingwherehetold
herto.Shewasagainstthewall,herbagclutchedinherhandstightenoughto
causeherknucklestoshinewhitefromacrosstheroom.Whensheliftedher
headandlookedathim,givinghimasmilethatsaideverythingintheworld
wasperfect,hishellishweekcaughtupwithhiminaPlash.
Allhe’dwantedsincegettingbackintotownwastowashthedustfrom
histhroatwiththestrongestrot-gutwhiskeyVernoncouldofferhimandhave
atumblewithoneofthelittleladiesupstairs.Whathegotinsteadwasher.
Theblondehe’dfoundstraddlinghislapwhenhewokeupfromaPist-induced
sleep.Hestaredatherasshelookedaroundtheroom.Shewasprettybutnow
thatshewasstanding,hecouldseehowsmallsheactuallywas.Alittle
scrawnyforhistastes.Helikedhiswomenplumpwithbigbreastsandeager
appetitesforsinfulpleasures.Thediminutiveblonde,whoshouldn’thavebeen
insidethesaloontobeginwithaccordingtoVernon,lookedtameasakitten.
Toobad,hethought.Hewouldhavewillinglytakenhisfrustrationsout
betweenherthighsbutifVernonsaidshedidn’tbelonghere,thenhebelieved
him.
Crossingtheroomtowhereshestood,hestoppedinchesinfrontofher.
“Whoareyou?”Shedidn’tanswer.Instead,shestaredupathimwiththose
The Lawman Lily Graison
largeblueeyesofhers,herjawheldatanarrogantangle.Morganwaitedand
bracedhishandsonhiships.Andthenwaitedsomemore.“Well?”heasked,
irritatedathersilence.“Idon’thaveallday.Spititout.”
Hesawherthroatworkassheswallowed.“Abigail.Abigail…uh,
Thornton.”
“Well,AbigailThornton,wouldyouliketoexplaintomewhatthehell
you’redoinginthesaloon?”
ShestaredathischestandMorganfollowedhergaze.Hisbadgewas
crooked.Whenshesaid,“Thishasallbeenaterriblemisunderstanding,”he
lookedbackup.
“Isthatwhatyou’dcallthis?”Morganturnedtolookatthenowdestroyed
saloonbehindhim.Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischestwhenheturnedbackto
faceher,studyingherasshestoodthereunmoving.Herdresswasn’tvery
revealingbutthefabricwasadeepgreenwoolwithfancylacetrimming
aroundtheneckandcuffs.Hedidn’tknowmuchaboutwomen’sfashionbut
thatdresswasunlikeanyhe’dseenaroundWillowCreek.Itwastoofancyby
half.He’dneverseenherbeforeeitherandheknewthestagecoachhadcome
intotown.He’dseenitsittingbythestationonhiswayfromthejail.Shewasa
newcomerandtroubleifhe’deverseenit.
“Iwould,”shesaid,herchinliftingasmallfraction.“Thebartendercan
tellyouthat.”
MorganglancedatVernon,whohadsteppedbehindthebarandwas
currentlytryingtoclearthebrokenglassoffthetopofit.“Issheright?”
Vernonsnortedandgavethewomanasneer.“Thisiswhywomenaren’t
allowedinhere,marshal,andyouknowit!Theyain’tnothingbuttrouble.I
toldhershecouldn’tbeinherebutdidshelisten?”
The Lawman Lily Graison
HisheadwasthrobbingnowandMorganwantednothingmorethanto
taketohisbedandsleepforaweek,withorwithoutthecomfortofawilling
bodynexttohim.HelookedatAbigailagain,leaninghisheadtooneside.She
waswaferthinbutthatlittledressclungtoshapelycurvesevenhecouldn’t
helpbutnotice.Herbreastswerefull,ifnotabitonthesmallside,butthey
werehighandquiteperky.Herhairwasfallingdownaroundherfaceandit
softenedherlookabitandmadeherappeartobeinnocent.Almost.His
irritationgrewthelongershestoodthereunmoving.Shewaslookingat
anythingbuthimandhewasn’tgettinganywherequestioningher.Whatwas
shedoinghere?Sincesheseemedunwillingtotell,hePiguredshewasjust
downonherluckandlookingforwork.Whyelsewouldawomancomeintoa
saloon?Hisreasonforcominginsidelatchedontothatlittlemorsel.“Areyoua
whore?”heasked,asmallpartofhimhopingshewas.
Shegasped,herfaceturningbloodredbeforesplotchesbrokeoutacross
herneck.“Imostcertainlyamnot!”
“Areyoulookingtobeone?”
Herlipsturnedbloodlessasshepinchedthemtogether.ThePireinher
eyescausedonecornerofhismouthtotiltupandherchestheavedasher
breathswerehuffedout.DePinitelynotawhore.
“Iamalady,”shesaid,indignant.
Morganraisedoneeyebrow.“Aladyinasaloon?”
“Iwaslookingforthestagecoachdriverifyoumustknow.”
“Well,Iaskedyoutenminutesagowhatthehellyouweredoinginhere.
Whydidn’tyoujustsayso?”
Shepinchedthebridgeofhernoseandletoutalongsigh.“MayIgo
now?”
“No.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
Herheadsnappedup,thoseprettyblueeyeswideningagain.“Whyever
not?”
“Well,let’ssee.”Morganliftedahandandscratchedtheweek’sworthof
beardthathadgrowninwhilehewasonthetrail.“There’stheissueofyou
beinginsidethebar,forone.Thesignoutsideclearlysays,youcan’tcomein
here.There’salsothematterofthePight,thedamagetothesaloonandlet’s
notforgetthedamagedonetome.”Hepointedtohisstillthrobbingfacefor
emphasis.
“Fine.”SheturnedtowardVernonandsmiledprettily.“Mr.Vernon,I’m
verysorryaboutyourestablishment.I’llnotcomeinsideagain.”Whenshe
turnedtohim,thesmiledisappeared.“Asforyou,marshal,I’msorryforyour
trouble.”
Thewomanhadthenervetoturnonherheelandstrolloutofthesaloon
withtheregalairofaqueen.Morgansnortedalaughatheraudacitybefore
followingheroutside.Shewascrossingthestreetandhehadtoruntocatch
upwithher.“Wheredoyouthinkyou’regoing?”
Shestopped,turnedtolookathimandblewoutalongbreath.“Away
fromthesaloon.That’swhatyouwanted,isn’tit?”
“Notexactly.”AwagonforcedthemoutoftheroadandAbigailThornton
dismissedhimagainasifhewasn’tevenstandingthere.Shewalkedtoward
thestagecoachstation,herbootedfeetclickingagainstthewoodensidewalk
inrapidlittletaps.Hefollowedherandgrabbedherarmsoshecouldn’twalk
awayagain.“We’renotthrough,Mrs.Thornton.”
“It’sMiss,”shesaid,thatlittlechinofhersliftingagain.“Andplease
unhandme.”
Hewouldhavelaughedtheentiremessoffifherhigh-handeddemand
hadn’tbeenlacedwithtotalcontempt.Thelookinhereyesscaldedhimtothe
The Lawman Lily Graison
bone.Heknewhelookedlikehell.He’dbeenridingthecountrysideinpursuit
ofanoutlawforthepastweek.Heprobablystanktohighheaven,hisbeard
wasscragglyanditchedlikethedickensandhisclotheswouldhavetobe
burned.Nottomentionthedamagedonetohisfaceafterthatbarbrawlshe
started.Well,accordingtoVernon,shedid.He’dyettoheartheentirestory.
Regardless,thatstilldidn’tgivehertherighttotreathimlikeano-goodsaddle
bum.Hewasthemarshal,damnit,andshe’dtreathimwiththerespecthe
deserved.
Staringdownather,everyache,cutandbruisethrobbingandpulsing,he
knewshewasthereasonforit.Theacheinhislongneglectedgroinwasher
faulttoo.ThebloodpumpingthroughhisveinsheatedatthedePiantlookin
hereyesandthethoughtofwhattodowithherwassuddenlyclear.“Miss
Thornton,youhavenoideahowhappyitmakesmetotellyouthatyou’re
underarrest.”
Shegaspedandjumpedbackfromhim,herarmjerkingfromhisgrasp.
“Underarrest?Whatfor?”
HeroutragesoothedsomeofhisachesandMorgangaveherasmugsmile
beforeansweringher.“We’llstartwithdisturbingthepeaceandaddenteringa
gentleman’sestablishment,damagetopersonalpropertyandcareless
endangermentofafederalmarshal.Thatshouldbeenoughtokeepyououtof
troubleforquiteawhile.Oratleastuntilthecircuitjudgegetsbackintotown.”
Thelookonherfacewouldhavecausedhimtolaughifitwouldn’thave
hurtsodamnmuch.Evenatinysmilehurt.Itpulledtheedgesofhisbustedlip
buthemanagedacruelimitationofonejusttoannoyher.
Shestraightenedherspine,tiltedherchinupanotchandexploded.“That
isabsurd!Youcan’tarrestmeforthingsIhadnocontrolover.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
Morgangrinnedthroughthepain.“Iassureyou,Ican,MissThornton,and
Iam.Let’sgo.”Whenhegrabbedherarmagainandtriedtowalkherback
downthestreet,sheduginherheels,herfreearmlatchingontohiswherehe
grippedherwristandtriedtoshakehimoff.
“Letmego.Thisisallamistake.Youcan’tdothis!”
“Iwon’t,Idon’tcare,andIam.”
Sheletoutanear-piercingshriekandstruggledlikeawildcatbefore
raisingherfreehand,ballingherPingersintoaPistandpunchingathis
shoulder.Morgan’sabusedmusclesscreamedinagonyasshefoughthimand
ittookallthecontrolhehadnottolashoutinreturn.“Doyouwantresisting
arresttobeaddedtoyourlistofcrimes,MissThornton?”
Hereyeswidened.“Ihaven’tcommittedanycrime.Nowunhandmethis
instant.”
Thehumorinthesituationdiminished.Herscreamsweredrawing
attentionandthelocalgossipswerealreadyhoveredaroundJenkins
Mercantile,handsovertheirmouthsastheygapedathim.Hecouldonly
imaginewhatthestorywouldbebythetimethewholetownfoundout.
Glaringatthepeoplegawkingathim,hegrabbedAbigailaroundthewaistand
tossedheroverhisshoulder,grittinghisteeththroughthepaintheactcaused,
beforeturningandstartingforthejail.
The Lawman Lily Graison
ChapterTwo
Abigailwastoostunnedtodomorethanhangthere,upsidedown,while
themarshalcarriedhertojail.Jail!Hewasarrestingherforwhatamountedto
nothingmorethanamisunderstandingbutthepig-headedmandidn’twantto
hearhersideofthestory.Notthatshe’dreallytriedveryhardtotellhim.
Gettingawayfromhimseemedlikethebestcourseofactionbackatthe
saloon.Ifshe’donlywalkedfaster,shemayhaveavoidedthisentire
embarrassment.
Reachingthejail,Abigailliftedherheadandnoticedalineofpeople
Pillingthewoodensidewalkstaringatthem.Shegroanedandletherhead
dropagain.ThePloorofthejailcameintoview.Itwascoveredindriedmud,
muchlikethemarshal’spantsandboots,shenoticed,andthestenchinside
thebuildingtookherbreath.
Themarshalstoodheronherfeetandsheglaredathimbeforelooking
aroundher.Shewasinsidewhatwasapparentlythejail’soneandonlycell.
Thebarredprisonwasbareexceptforacotthatsatunderasmall,open
window.TheblanketlyingatthefootofthebedwasthreadbareandPilthy.It
alsocontributedgreatlytothefoulsmellintheair.Turningbacktofacethe
marshal,Abigailcrossedherarmsunderherbreasts.“Theseaccommodations
aren’tsuitableforawoman.Youcan’tkeepmehere.”
Hehadthegalltolaughatherbeforewalkingoutofthecelland
slammingthedoorhardenoughtomakeherjumpbeforehelockeditbehind
him.“Ajailisn’tahotel,MissThornton.You’llgetusedtoit.”
Shewatchedhimcrosstheroomtoastoveinthecorner,Pillingitwith
woodbeforestartingaPire.Herattledacoffeepot,makingasmuchnoiseas
The Lawman Lily Graison
possiblebeforeabandoningthestoveandwalkingtoasmalldesksittingby
thedoor.Heunhookedthegunbeltshejustnownoticedhangingaroundhis
hips,hangingitonthebackofthechair.Hisbackwastoherandeventhough
hewascoveredfromheadtotoeindirt,shehadtoadmithewasanimpressive
sight.
Hisshoulderswerewide;hiswaisttaperedtoslimhipsandstrong,Pirm
lookingthighs.HispantsPitsnuginplacessheshouldn’tbelookingbutwitha
backsidelikethat,itwashardnottostare.LordknewthemeninAtlanta
certainlylookednothinglikethemarshaldid.Theyactednothinglikehim
either.Theyhadmanners.Thismandidnot.
Heturnedandsatdowninthechair,tossedhishatontothedeskand
proppedhisbootedfeetupontheedge.Hishairwasdarkandinneedof
barbering.Theendshungnearlytohisshoulders.Theindentionsfromhishat
causedittolayslicktohishead.Foratownmarshal,heapparentlywasn’ttoo
concernedabouthispersonalgrooming.Notthatshecared.
Whenheclaspedhishandsbehindhisheadandstaredather,Abigail
raisedaneyebrowathim.Hisreturningsmilerankledhernerves.Thescraggly
beardcoveringhisfacedidn’thidethefacthewasprobablyveryattractive.
Fromacrosstheroomshecouldseethemischiefinhisgreeneyes.Well,the
onethatwasn’tswollenshut,thatis.Thepurplebruisingonhisfacedidn’t
concealthewarmhueofhistannedskinandlookingathisforearmsbelowthe
cuffsofhisrolledupshirtsleevesletherknowhespentmorehoursoutdoors
thanmost.
Thefactshefoundhimattractive,asscruffyashewas,galledher.“Areyou
comfortablenow?”
“Absolutely.IcanPinallyputmyfeetupandIhavethebestviewamanin
mypositioncanaskfor.Aprisoner.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
Hewasenjoyingthefacthelockedherup.Thepig.
Unwillingtolethimseehowworriedsheactuallywas,sheturnedher
backtohimandwalkedtothecot.Thesmellwasworsecloseup.Shegingerly
pickeduptheoffendingblanketwithtwoPingersandtossedittotheother
sideofthecell.Themattressunderneathwasstainedwithheavenknewwhat.
Sheshookherheadindisgust.“I’llneedcleanlinens,marshal.Thisbedisn’tPit
foradogletaloneahuman.”
“Neverheardanycomplaintsbeforenow.Besides,it’scleanerthanthe
Ploor.Let’snotforgetthisisajail,MissThornton.Itisn’tsetupforyour
comfort.You’llgetnospecialtreatmentfrommejustbecauseyou’rea—lady.”
ThewayhesaidladycausedAbigail’sirritationtogrowandshelooked
overhershoulderathim.Hewasstillsmiling.“AmItoassumemymealswill
consistofwaterandbread,then?”
“Youcanassumewhatyouwant.”
“Well,inthatcase,”shesaid,turningtofacehimandplacingbothhands
onherhips,“I’llassumeyou’reasbiganassasyouseem.”Hissmilefaltered
andAbigailgavehimoneinreturnthatmadehercheeksachebeforeshesat
downontheedgeofthecot.Shelaidherreticuleonherlapandstaredbackat
him,unmoving.
Thestaringcontestmayhavelastedallnightifthedoorhadn’topened
minuteslater.Amanwholookedverymuchlikethemarshalsteppedinside
andshutthedoorbehindhim,hisgazesearchingandPindingherinthecell.
Hesmiledandshookhishead.“VernontoldmeyoulockedupawomanbutI
hadtocomeseeformyself.”
“It’snicetoseeyoutoo,brother.”
Thisnewmanwaseverythingthemarshalwasn’t.Cleanandfreshly
barberedwithaneasygoingsmile.Abigailwatchedhimtakethevacantseat
The Lawman Lily Graison
acrossfromthedeskandsmiledathimagainwhenheturnedtolookather.
“Youcan’tkeepherlockedup,Morgan,”hesaid,nottakinghisgazefromher.
“ThetownsfolkwillhaveahissyPit.”
“Shestartedabrawlinthesaloon,amongotherthings.OncetheyPindout
whyshe’shere,they’llunderstand.”
Themansnortedalaugh.“Idoubtthat.I’msureEdnaisonherwayover
rightnowtogiveyouapieceofhermind.”
“She’lldothatregardlessofwhoIhavelockedupinhere.”Themarshal
lookedoveratherbeforeloweringhisfeettothePloorandstanding.“Come
on,”hesaid,gesturingtothedoortotheotherman.“Takeawalkwithme.I
suddenlyhaveaneedforsomefreshair.Itstinkslikeaweek’sworthofhorse
shitinhere.”
Whentheystartedforthedoor,Abigailroseaswell.“Marshal!Youcan’t
leavemeinhere.”
“SureIcan,”hesaid,lookingoverhisshoulderather.“You’relockedup,
remember?You’renotgoinganywhere.”Withapartingsmile,heleft,thedoor
closingbehindhim.
***
Morganwasn’tabletowipethegrinoffhisfaceuntilhesteppedoffthe
sidewalk.“Buymeadrink,Holden,”hesaid,slappinghisbrotherontheback.
“Andtellmewhat’sgoingonattheranchsinceI’vebeengone.”
Holdennoddedandtheywalkedinsilenceuntiltheyreachedthe
sidewalkinfrontofthesaloon.“Sameasitwaswhenyouleft.Well,exceptfor
Alex’sdesiretobeahorsewranglernowinsteadofacowpuncher.”
“Thatdidn’tlastlong.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
“Hercareerdecisionsneverlastlong.Ofcourse,she’sonlyeight.Ihopeby
thetimeshe’soldenoughtomarry,she’llbeinterestedinbabiesandahome
ofherown.”
Morganlaughedastheywalkedinside.“Idon’tthinkAlexevenknows
she’sagirl.”Thebarroomhadbeencleaned,somewhat.Thereweretwotables
nowstanding,bothofthemproppedupwithwoodenblocksunderthewobbly
legs.Mismatchedchairswereleaningagainstthewallandthemeninsidewere
stillthere,drinking,cussingandtellingliesasusual.
Reachingthelongbar,Vernongreetedthembothbeforepouringthema
drink,leavingthebottlebehind.“So,”Holdensaid,grinning.“What’sthestory
withthewoman?”
AbigailThornton’sfacecameinstantlytomindandMorganfoughtthe
urgetosmile.“Shedestroyedthebar.”
Holdenshookhishead.“Onelittlewomancausedallthisdamage?”He
turnedtolookatwhatremainedoftheDiamondBackSaloon.“Shemustbe
onehellofawildcattobreakallthisshit.”
Shewasawildcat,allright.Herclawscameoutthemomenthespoketo
herandshehadn’tretractedthemyet.ThePireinhereyeshadn’tdimmed
sincetheneither.Thescornhe’dseeninthemwasdirectedathimandhim
alone.“She’strouble.I’mjustmakingsureshedoesn’tgivemeanymore.”
“Andkeepingherlockedupwillaccomplishthat?”
“Itsurewill.”Morganknockedbackhisdrink,turnedandrePilledhis
glass.
Holdengrunted.“Iknowit’sbeenawhile,andyou’reusedtothe
companyofwhores,butcomeon,Morgan,surelyyouknowaladyisn’tgoing
tositquietlywhilelockedup.Thejailstinks,thebeddinghasbeentheresince
The Lawman Lily Graison
thebuildingwasbuilttenyearsagoandifshehastosurvivewithnothingbut
yourcooking,she’llbedeadinaweek.”
Morganglaredathisbrother.“I’mnotgoingtocoddleher.”
“CareifIdo?”Holdenasked,grinning.
ThelookonHolden’sfacetoldMorganexactlywhathisbrotherhadin
mind.ThefactWillowCreekwassoisolatedleftthementowomenratio
lopsided.Thereweremoresinglemeninthecountythanhecaredtothink
about.AndoncethosemenrealizedAbigailThorntonwasintown,they’dbe
Plockingtothejailindroves.Hewasn’tsurewhythethoughtofthosemen
knockingonhisdoorirritatedhimbutitdid.Hepushedthethoughtaway,
swallowedtherestofhisdrinkandturnedtoVernon.“WhatdoIoweyou,
Vern?”
“Onthehouse,marshal.Aftertheweekyou’vehad,youdeserveit.”
“Obliged,”hesaidbeforeturningbacktoHolden.“I’mgoingtoheadhome
andgetcleanedup.Wanttomeetmeatthehotelforsupper?”
“Can’tdo.IpromisedAlexI’dbehomebeforedark.”Theywalkedback
outside,stoppingtolookatthetownbeforeHoldensaid,“Iwillgograb
somethingdecenttoeatforyournewestprisonerthough.It’stheneighborly
thingtodo,afterall.”
Holdengrinnedbeforetakingoffforthehotelinajog.Morganwatched
himgoanddisappearinsidebeforelookingbackatthejail.Thesquatlittle
buildinghadseenbetterdaysandtheroofleakedmoreoftenthannot.
KeepingAbigailThorntonlockedupwasgoingtobemoretroublethanhe
wanted.Hecouldfeelitinhisbones.Holdenwasrightaboutonething.
Keepingherlockedupwouldcauseastir.Onehedidn’twanttodealwith.He
knewhehadtolethergocomemorningbutforsomereason,theverythought
ofdoingsoirritatedhim.
The Lawman Lily Graison
***
Abigailhaddozedoffwhilesittingupandwasstartledawakewhenthe
marshalcameback.Sheblinkedathimafewtimes,tryingtogethereyesto
adjustinthelowlightoftheroomandtellhershewasseeingwhatshe
thoughtshewas.
Themanwholefthoursbeforehadbeenacompleteunkemptmess.This
mancausedherpulsetorace.He’dlefthishatbehind,hisgunstillstrappedto
hisleanhips,andhestoodbythedoorstaringatherasifhe’dneverseenher
before.He’dwashedandreplacedhisdirtyclotheswithcleandenimtrousers
andabluechambrayshirt,thecuffsonceagainrolleduptohiselbows.Hewas
clean-shavenandjustasshe’dsuspected,themarshalwasahandsomeman.
Well,onceyouoverlookedthebustedlipandswolleneye.Takinginhis
features,sherealizedhewasmuchmorehandsomethanhisbrother,Holden,
whohadbroughtheramealfromthehotel.Toobadthemarshal’sloathsome
attitudewassounforgiving.
She’dhadalongtimetothinkabouthersituationonceheleftandknew,
likeitornot,shewasstuckinWillowCreek.Shehadnomoneytobuyaticket
forthestagecoachandherpleastothedriverwouldbeuselessnow.She’d
goneasfarasshecouldandshe’dhavetostartplanningalloveragain.The
potentialhusbandshe’dmanagedtoarrangeforwasgone.Ifthemarshallet
heroutofthejail,wherewouldshego?Shedidn’tevenhaveenoughmoneyto
buyadecentmeal,letaloneaplacetobeddownforthenight.ThePilthy
mattressunderherwasbetterthanthecoldgroundorsomeone’sbarn,ifshe
wereluckyenoughtosneakinsideone.Thatwasassumingthemarshallether
go.
The Lawman Lily Graison
Thereasonshe’dspentthelastfourmonthsrunningcausedanervous
shivertoraceupherspine.Asmuchasshedislikedbeinglockedup,she
realizedwithsuddenclaritythatbeingunderthemarshal’swatchfuleyewas
probablythesafestoptionshehad.Aslongasshewashisprisoner,she’dbe
safe.EvenifFletcherfoundher,hewouldn’tbeabletodomuchaboutit.She
hoped.
Whenthemarshalmadenoattempttomoveorspeak,shestood.“Well?”
“Wellwhat?”
Abigailrolledhereyes.“Whyareyoustaringatme?”
Hetiltedhisheadtoonesideandthelookonhisfacewasoneof
irritation.“I’mtryingtodecidewhattodowithyou.”
Whenherheartgaveanotherlittlejump,Abigailwalkedtothecelldoor.If
helethergonow,whatwouldshedo?Probablydieaslow,agonizingdeathat
Fletcher’shands.Sheshudderedatthethoughtandknewsheonlyhadone
optionatthemoment.Shehadtomakesurehekeptherlockedup.
Shesmiledtohideheruneaseandtriedtobaithimintokeepingher
behindbars.“What?Youmeanyouactuallyhaveaheartandaregoingtolet
mego?Hownobleofyou.”
Hegrinnedandrubbedhisjaw.Hergazewasdrawntohismouththen
andshefoundherselfstaring.Howcouldlipsthatplumpspillthevenomthe
marshalhadspewedatheroverthecourseoftheday?
“Ididn’tsayIwasgoingtoletyougo.”
Abigailtorehergazefromhismouthwhenhespokeandbitherlipto
keepfromsmilingatwhathe’dsaid.Aslongasshecouldannoyhimenoughto
keepherlockedupuntilshecouldPigureoutwhattodo,shewouldatleast
haveadecentmealandaplacetosleep.“I’msurethinkingforyourselfisa
The Lawman Lily Graison
difPicultprocess,marshal,butdomakeitquick.IneedtousetheprivyasI’ve
yetbeentakentodoso.”
“There’sapotunderthebed.Helpyourself.”
Abigaillookedbackatthecotandbentatthewaist.Sureenough,there
wasapotunderthebed,itsgrimysidesbrownwithLordknewwhat.She
straightenedandthrewhimascaldinglook.“Youcan’tpossiblyexpectmeto
usethatPilthything.”
Heshruggedashoulderbeforeleaningbackagainstthewall.“Ihaven’t
hadanyothercomplaints.”
“Ofcoursenot.Yourusualguestsareprobablyallfoulcreaturesas
obnoxiousasyourself.”TheamusedtwinkleinhiseyesfadedthenandAbigail
wonderedifshe’dgonetoofar.Hewasn’taterribleperson,orsohisbrother
hadsaid.HoldenAverywasthegentlemanhisbrotherwasnot.Themarshal,
Morgan,Holdenhadtoldher,wasascussedasanoldmuleandfromwhat
she’dseen,sheknewhewasright.Ofcourse,itcouldallbeanact.Hewasthe
townmarshal,afterall.Hewassupposedtobeamanstrongerthanmost,able
toprotectthecitizensofthetown.Hemaybearealpussycatunderthathard
exterior.Somehowshedoubtedit.“Well,”shesaid,“whileyoudecidewhatto
dowithme,couldyouPinditinthatgrizzledheartofyourstoPindmedecent
linens?”
Hestudiedherforlongminutes,hisgazetravelingoverthelengthofher
beforehepushedawayfromthewall.Whenhecrossedtheroom,shebacked
awayfromthedoor.Shewasstunnedwhenheunlockeditandhelditwide.
Fearcrawledintoherthroatandshehadtoswallowadesperatepleato
remaininhiscustody.“Whatareyoudoing?”
“Ican’tleaveyouinhereasmuchasI’dliketodojustthat.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
Abigailwasstunned.Shewassurehe’dkeepherlockedupuntilshewas
oldandgrayoutofpurespite.“You’relettingmego?”sheasked,quietly.
Helaughed.“Notonyourlife,sweetheart.”
HerreliefwasPleeting.Shestaredathim,confused.“Thenwhatareyou
doing?”
Themarshalleanedagainstthecelldoor,hisshoulderproppedagainst
themetalframe.“Halfthetownknowsyou’relockedupinhereandI’mnot
spendingthenightinthatoldchairbehindthedesktoseethatyouaren’t
accostedbythosedrunksoveratthesaloon.”Hesmiledandthelookinhis
eyestoldherthesituationwasn’tgoingtobemuchbetter.“Ihavenooption
buttotakeyouhomewithme.”
Abigail’sheartfrozeforabriefsecondbeforeitstutteredintoaregular
beatagain.Takeherhome?Withhim!“Excuseme?Whatdoyoumean,‘take
mehomewithyou?’”
“JustwhatIsaid.There’snolockonthejaildoor.”
“So?”
“So,anyonecanwalkinfromthestreet.”
Abigailimaginedjustthat.WhatifFletchermanagedtoPindherquicker
thansheassumedhewouldandjustwalkedrightin,somehowgotthecell
dooropenandtookher?Worseyet,whatifhejustshotherthemomenthe
laideyesonher,noonethewiseruntiltheyfoundherbloodybodyonthe
PilthyPloorcomemorning.Ashudderranthroughherandsheswallowedthe
feartheimagesconjured.
“Youallright?”
Hisvoicestartledher.Abigailfocusedhergazeonhisfaceandtriedto
smile.Shefailedhorribly.“Fine.Why?”
The Lawman Lily Graison
“Becauseyou’repaleasdeathallofasudden,that’swhy.”Hemoved
towardherandshesteppedback.“What’swrong?”
“Nothing,”shelied.
Sheknewhedidn’tbelieveherbythelookonhisface.Shesmiledagain
andhopedthisattemptwasmoreconvincing.Sheassumeditwaswhenhe
Pinallynoddedhisheadandwalkedawayfromthecell.“Grabyourbagand
let’sgo.”
Abigailregardedhisretreatingbackandthesituationhewascreating.
Howcouldshegohomewithhim?Didhemeanthatliterally?“Excuseme,
marshal—”
“Morgan.”
“What?”
Heturnedtofaceheroncehereachedhisdesk.“MynameisMorgan.”
“Iknowthat,”shesaid,blushing.“Yourbrothertoldme.”
“Thenuseit.”
“Idon’tthinkoursituationrequiressuchfamiliarterms,doyou?”
Heturneddownthewickonthelanternbyhisdeskbeforeturningback
tofaceher.“Youcancallmeanythingyoulike,MissThornton,butsinceyou’ll
belivinginmyhouse,Ididn’tthinkwhattocallmewouldbeyouronly
concern.”
“Itisn’t.”ThepossibilityofFletcherPindingherwasstillfreshonhermind
andAbigailrealizedthatifsheweresafeinthejail,she’dbemoresafeinthe
marshal’shome,butthatwouldstirupmoretroublethanshedaredtothink
about.FindingahusbandwouldbedifPicultifeverymanintownknewshe’d
beenlockedup.Worseyet,thatshe’dbeenincarceratedinsidethemarshal’s
home.Sheheldbackadesperatesigh.Thiswasturningintoanightmare.“I
The Lawman Lily Graison
can’tstaywithyouinyourhome.”Unless…Abigailheldbackasmile.“Unless
ofcourse,yourwifeisthere.”
“Idon’thaveawife.”
Abigail’sconcernoverPindingahusbandwhilestayinginthemarshal’s
homewasoverpoweredbythereliefthatMorganwasn’tmarried.Shewasn’t
surewhyshecared,butshedid.Shewasembarrassedamomentlaterwhen
sherealizedsheknewtheanswer.OfallthemeninWillowCreek,theoneman
whocouldprotectherfromFletcherwasthemarshal.
Shehopedsincehe’dextinguishedthelamphecouldn’tseetheblotchy
skinonhernecksheknewwasthere.Shefelthowheatedherfacewasand
knewshewasblushing.Hewasstaringather,asmallgrincurvinghislips.
Whetherhecouldseeherstainedcheeksornot,heknewwhatshewas
thinking.Shestraightenedhershouldersandstaredhimintheeyes.“Andthat
istheexactreasonIcan’tbeinyourhome.Myreputationwouldn’tsurvivethe
scandal.”
Morganleanedahipagainstthesideofthedeskandcrossedhisarms
overhischest.“Yourreputationisalreadyshotalltohell.Startingabrawlin
thesaloonandbeingarrestedforitdidthat.Asforyoubeinginmyhouse,I
wouldbetmysalarythetownsfolkwillthinkitanunusualactofkindnesson
mypart.”
Ofcoursetheywould,shethought,glumly.Hermiserywould
undoubtedlymakehimlooklikeasaint.Whenhestoodandtoldhertograb
herbagshesighedanddidjustthat.Regardlessofhowitlooked,shereally
didn’twanttostayinthatsmellycellanylonger.Andshereallydidn’twantto
stayinsidethejailalone.
Grabbingherreticuleshewalkedoutofthecell.“Ileftasmalltravelbag
atthestagecoachstationwhenIarrivedintown.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
“Ihaveitbackatthehouse.”
Hereyeswidenedabit.“Youdo?”
Henodded.“Emmett,fromoveratthestation,broughtittomeanhour
ago.”
“Isee.”Lookingaroundthetinycelloncemore,Abigailtookadeepbreath
andwalkedoutofthemainroom.Shewasn’tsurewhatthemarshal’smotives
wereexactlybutatthemomentshewasn’tgoingtoargue.Beingaloneinthe
jailwasn’therideaofagoodtime.Themomenthe’dleftwithhisbrother,her
anxietyhadnearlychokedher.She’dbeengratefulwhenHoldenreturned.
He’donlybroughthersomethingtoeatbuthe’dstayedandtalkedwithher
justsoshe’dhavethecompany.
Whenshereachedthedoor,themarshalopeneditandusheredherout
ontothewoodenwalkway.Itwasn’tyetfulldarkbuttheskywasaninkyblue-
black.Afewstarscouldbeseenandthemoonwasplayinghideandseekwith
theclouds.Thewindwasblowing,causingaslightbreezetodancearoundthe
hemofherdress.
Thestreetsweredesertedandonlyafewlightsglowedbehindthe
windowsofthebusinessesandhomesintown.Theyturnedandstarteddown
thewalkwayawayfromthecenteroftownandAbigailwalkedbesideMorgan
insilenceuntiltheyreachedtheendofthestreet.Thehousesittingtherewas
nothinglikewhatsheexpected.NotthatsheknewmuchaboutMarshalAvery
butshe’dpicturedhiminsomederelictcabinwithafewmangydogslittering
thedirtyard.Thiswasanythingbut.“Thisiswhereyoulive?”sheasked,
staringupatthetwo-storyhome.Itwaswhite,fromwhatshecouldtell,with
darkshuttersateverywindow.Alongporchranthelengthofthehouse,a
swingswayinginthebreezeononeend.Flowersdottedthewalkwayandthe
grasswasasgreenasanyshe’deverseen.
The Lawman Lily Graison
“Thisisit,”hesaid,openingthegatethatsurroundedthepropertyand
motionedforhertogothrough.
Abigailwalkedupthestonewalkwayinstunnedsilence.Whenthey
ascendedthestepsandstoppedinfrontofthedoorsheturnedtolookathim.
“Ihadnoideaatownmarshalmadesomuchmoneyastoaffordahomelike
this.”
Morganlaughedandopenedthefrontdoor.“Theydon’t.”Heusheredher
insidewithahandtoherlowerback.Whenheclosedthedoorbehindhim,
Abigailtriedtoseeinthedarkenedinterior.Shestoodwhereshewasuntila
lightPlickeredtoherleft.Morganwasthere,lightingalamp,andwhenthe
glowilluminatedhisface,herbreathcaught.Assthathewasattimes,shehad
toadmit,hewasquitebreathtaking.Hislong,darkhairandperpetualsmirk
gavehimaroguishlook.Oneshewasn’timmuneto,apparently.Herpulse
leapedwhenheturnedtofaceherandshehadtosuckinaquickbreathtoPill
herlungswithair.
Shelookedaway,givingthehouseanotherglance.Highglosshardwood
Ploors,expensiverugsandfurniturePilledthesittingroomMorganwas
standingin.ThehallwaystairsandbanisterwasaPinelydetailedworkofart.
Therailingscarvedintointricatedesignsshe’dseenonlyoncebeforeinthe
homeofabankerinAtlanta.Shecouldonlyimaginewhattherestofthehouse
lookedlike.
WhenMorganjoinedherinthehallwiththelamphe’dlitinhand,he
indicatedthestairswithhisarmandshegavehimabriefglancebefore
startinguptothesecondPloor.Hefollowedbehindherinsilenceandwhen
shereachedtheupperlanding,heshowedhertoaroomattheendofthehall.
Itwasrichlyappointedwithlaceatthewindows.Thefurniturewasofdark
The Lawman Lily Graison
woodandthebedthebiggestshe’deverseen.Atallscreenblockedoffone
corneroftheroomandshewonderedwhatwasthere.
Morganwalkedfartherintotheroomandsatthelamponthetablebythe
bed.“There’scleanwaterandwashingclothesbehindthescreen.Drying
clothesandsuchintheclosetbythewashroom.That’sthelastdooronthe
rightifyoupreferabath.”
“Abath,”shesaid,shocked.“There’sabathinthishouse?”
Hegrinned.“Thereis.It’srarelyusedbutit’sthereifyoufeeltheneed.
You’llhavetolighttheboilertoheatthewaterthough.Thetankshouldbe
full.”
Abigailstaredathim,wonderingwhothismanreallywas.She’dnever
beenarrestedbeforebutshewouldbeteverypossessionsheownedno
prisonerwastreatedlikethis.Lacybedroomsandheatedbathsinarealtub?
Wasshedreaming?Wasshebackinthatstinkycellimaginingallthis?When
hecrossedtheroomandstoppedinfrontofher,thescentofsundriedclothes
andgunoilPilledhersenses.Theneedtotouchhim,toseeifhewasreal,was
strong.Sheresistedandstaredupathiminstead.
“Nowdon’ttryanythingstupid,likesneakingawayinthemiddleofthe
night.Icantrackanyone,anywhere,evenalittlethinglikeyou.”
Sherolledhereyes.“Iwasn’tgoingtorun.”
“Good.Seethatyourememberthat.Ican’tlockyouintheroombutifI
haveto,Icantieyoutothebed.”Hegrinneddownatherandthelookinhis
eyestoldherhewasthinkingofjustthat.“Onsecondthought,maybeI
should.”
“You’lldonosuchthing,”shesaid,walkingaroundhimtolayherreticule
onthebed.Sheturnedtolookathimandcrossedherarmsunderherbreasts.
The Lawman Lily Graison
Hegrinnedatherbeforewalkingtothedoor.“Onsecondthought,ifyou
trytoleave,I’lljustmakeyousleepwithmeinstead.”
Abigailgaspedathispartingwordsandstoodstaringatthedoorwhenhe
closeditbehindhim.
The Lawman Lily Graison
ChapterThree
Thesunwasbarelyupandafterarestlessnightoftossingandturning,
listeningforthesoundofAbigail’sfootstepsinthehallway,Morgandidn’tfeel
anymorerestedthanhehadwhenhe’dgottenbackintotown.Thedecisionto
keepherinthehousewithhimseemedlikeabadideauntilthescentof
cookingmeatPilledtheair.
Hestoodanddressed,washedhisfaceandcleanedhisteethbefore
venturingoutintothehallanddownthebackstairstothekitchen.Shewas
there,anoldPloursacktiedaroundhertinywaistasshestoodbythestove
stirringsomething.ThescentofcoffeePilledtheair,alongwithrealfood,and
hisstomachgrumbledinadamantdemandtopartakeinwhatsheoffered.
Whenshebenttotakesomethingfromtheoven,herroundedbottomupinthe
air,hisgroindemandedhetakeher.Notthatshe’doffered.Yet.
“IthinkthisisthePirsttimeaprisonerhascookedforme.Imayhaveto
reduceyoursentence,Abigail.”
“ThatisMissThornton,toyou,marshal,andIcookedformyself.”She
turned,apanoffatPluffybiscuitsinherhandandthescentalonecausedhis
stomachtorumbleagain.“YoucanPixyourownbreakfast.”
Morgangrinnedandpulledouthischair,sittingdownandgrabbingthe
oneplatehesawonthetable.Shegavehimapeevedlookbeforeplacingthe
biscuitsonthetablewithathumpandturnedbacktothestove.Scrambled
eggsandbaconfollowedandgravysothickhismouthwatered.Hecouldn’t
rememberthelasttimehe’deatenahomecookedmealinhisownhouse.
NeveronePixedbyagood-lookingwoman,that’sforsure.ThespreadAbigail
The Lawman Lily Graison
placedbeforehimwasPitforaking,tohisestimation,andwhenshegrabbed
anotherplateoffthesideboard,hePilledhisownplate.
Neithersaidawordwhiletheyate.Morgantuckedintohisfoodlikea
manstarvedandhadseconds,cleaningmostoftheplatters.He’dbeashamed
ofhimselfifhehadn’tjustspentaweeksurvivingoffofdriedbeefjerkyand
water.
WhenhisstomachwasfullandhiscoffeecupPilledtothebrimagain,he
leanedbackinhischairandwatchedhereat.Herplatewasbarelytouched.In
thesoftlightcomingfromthewindows,hecouldseefaintpurplesmudges
underhereyes.Shelookedtired.Worndown,somehow.Thereasonshewas
herecamebacktomindandheleanedforward,proppinghiselbowsonthe
tableandhecuppedhishandsaroundhiscoffeemug.“Whatwereyoudoing
inthesaloon?”
Sheglancedathimandlookedbackdownatherplateagainbeforelaying
herforkonthetable.“Iwaslookingforthestagecoachdriver.Itoldyouthat
yesterday.”
“Why?”
“Whywhat?”
“WhywereyoulookingforPete?”
Shesighedandpushedherplateaway,notsayinganythingforlong
minutes.Whenshesaid,“Iwassupposedtobemarried,”Morgannearly
chokedonhiscoffee.
“Married?ToPete?”heasked,louderthanheintended.
Shethrewhimalookbeforerollinghereyes.“No.Nothim.”
“Who?”
“Whydoesitmatter?”
The Lawman Lily Graison
“Itdoesn’t,”hesaid,butthatwasn’tthecompletetruth.Thethoughtof
hergettingmarrieddidmatter.Somewhat.Why,hedidn’tcaretothinkabout.
Takingasipfromhismug,heletthesilencestretchbeforesaying,“Whowere
yousupposedtomarry?”
“FlynnHaggard.”
Hedidchokethen.Hecoughedandsputteredbeforecatchingenoughair
tobreathenormallyagain.Shewasstaringathim,armsfoldedunderher
breastswhenhe’dcaughthisbreathandlookedbackather.“FlynnHaggard?”
Hefrowned.“Whyintheworldwouldyouwanttomarryhim?”
“Whydoesitmatter?Heapparentlyisn’tavailabletomarrymenowso
it’samutepoint.”
Wasn’tavailable…Morganlaughedatthatstatement.Flynnwasn’t
available,allright.Heknewthatforafact.He’darrestedthemanforcattle
rustlingandpersonallyturnedhimovertothecircuitcourtjudgetwoweeks
ago.ThefactFlynnwasgettingmarrieddidn’tsurprisehim.Mostmenfrom
townsentoffforbridesbutthosesamemenalwaysleteveryoneknow.Flynn
hadn’tsaidaword.“HowdidyoumeetFlynn?”
“Ihaven’t.Themarriagewasarrangedthroughtheagency.Hewas
supposedtomeetmeatthestagecoachstation.WhenIaskedabouthim,Iwas
toldhewasarrestedandhadbeentakentoMissoula.That’swhenIwentto
Pindthestagecoachdriver.”
“AndstartedabrawlandnearlygotmyfacepermanentlydisPigured.”
“Thatwasn’tmyfault,”shesaid,sittingupstraightinherchair,herhands
clenchedintoPists.“ThatawfulmanwhocameinthoughtIwasawhoreand
started…Well,hegrabbedmeandwouldn’tletmego.Whenhetossedmeover
hisshoulderandstartedforthestairs,that’swheneverythingwentwrong.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
Morganlistenedtohervividaccountofwhathappenedinsidethesaloon
beforehearrived.ThePightreallywasn’therfaultbut,justlikeVernonhad
said,ifshehadn’tbeeninthesaloon,noneofitwouldhavehappened.He
sighedandleanedbackinhischair.“Fine.Youdidn’tpersonallystartthebrawl
butyoubeinginsidethesaloondid.”
Shegapedathim,herprettylittlemouthopen.ThoughtsPlewathim
unbiddenatthesight,thoughtsthatinvolvedthembothnakedandthoselush
lipscurledaroundhiscock.Heblinkedandlookedawaytodistracthimself.He
grabbedhiscoffeeandburnthistonguewhenhegulpeditdown.“So,”hesaid,
coughingtoclearhisthroat.“YoucametoWillowCreektobemarriedand
foundyourgroomgone.WhatdidPetehavetodowithallthis?”
Shesighed.“Iwashopinghecouldtakemetothenexttown.”
“Hecouldhavedonethattoday.”
“Ididn’twanttostayuntiltoday.”
Shedidn’twanttostay?Morganstaredatherandimaginedhowthings
wouldhavebeenuponhisreturnifshehadn’tbeenthere.He’dhavehadhis
liquor,hisfavoritewhorefromMissAngelina’sgirlsandbeenblessedly
content.Well,untilthismorning,thatis.Thismorning,thingswouldhavebeen
thesameastheywereeveryweek.He’dwake,Pixabarelyeatablebreakfast,
walkthetownandsitinthejail,staringoutthewindowuntilhegottoo
restless,andwalkedthetownagain.He’dhavedonethatuntilthesunwent
down,camehome,ateagainandgonetobed,ortothesaloontoslakehis
lonelinesswithoneofthegirls,andstartedthesamedullroutineallover
againthenextday.
Butithadn’tbeensodullasthat.No,he’dwalkedintothatsaloonandgot
anarmfulofAbigailThornton,hadhisfacesmashedin,andwoketoPindher
straddlinghiships.Heheldbackasmileatthatlovelymemory.Hisentire
The Lawman Lily Graison
eveninghadbeensofarfromthenormalhecouldn’thelpbutbegrateful.Of
course,thatdidn’tmeanheenjoyedhersharptongueorherbitingremarks.
Knowingwhathadcausedhersurlyattitude,though,hecouldunderstandit.
HerePilledhiscoffeemugandtoppedhersoffwithwhatremained.“So
whatareyougoingtodonow?Imean,onceIletyououtofjail,thatis?”He
grinnedandwatchedherfaceturnred.
Abigailhadtowonderifhedeliberatelytriedtoprovokeher.Thewayhe
wassmilingledhertobelievehedid.Heenjoyedrilingher.Grabbingherplate,
sherosefromherseatandwalkedtothecounterandthewashtubs.“Well,
sinceIwon’tbemarryingFlynn,I’llbelookingforanewhusband.”Sheturned
andofferedhimasmile.“Isyourbrother,Holden,married?”
***
Theexpressiononhisfacewaspriceless.Abigailwantedtolaughbut
refrainedfromdoingso.Henarrowedhiseyesatherandpinchedhislips
tightlytogetherwhileaslightredtintcoveredhischeeks.DidMarshalAvery
notlikethefactshewantedtomarryhisbrother?Orwasitthefactshe
wantedtomarryatall?OnlyonewaytoPindout.“Ifheis,thenI’msureyou
canhelpmePindasuitableprospect.You’reboundtoknoweverysingleman
inthecounty.”
“Ido,”hesaid.“Andthey’reallmarried.”
Liar.Abigailwalkedbacktothetable,removingthedirtydishesand
carryingthemoneatatimetothecounter.Shekeptthesmilewantingtoform
atbayanddidn’tdarelookathim.“Thereisn’tanunmarriedmaninallof
WillowCreek?”
The Lawman Lily Graison
Hedidn’tanswerforlongminutesthenPinallysmiled.“Actuallythereis.
JarvisMcNallyissingle.He’sgotapigfarmacouplemilesfromtown.He’s
beenwidowedforafewyearsnow.I’msurehe’dtaketoyouifyoucookedhim
mealsliketheoneyoucookedforme.Hell,hemightevenletyousleepinthe
houseifyouaskhimrealnice.”
Abigailignoredthe“cookingamealforhim”bitandlatchedontothe
otherinstead.“Sleepinthehouse?”
Henodded.“He’sabitafraidofwomen.”
“Afraidof…”Abigailshookherheadandscowledathim.“Ifhewas
married,whywouldhebeafraidofwomen?”
“YounevermetFrieda.”Heshuddered.“Hell,Iwasafraidofher.”
Abigailknewhewasjoshingheranddidn’tgiveintothetemptationof
tellinghimso.Instead,shestoodbehindherchairandasked,“Howoldishe?
Canhestillfatherchildren?”
Thelookonhisfacechangedallofasuddenandsomethinginhiseyeslet
herknowwhathewasthinking.Sheknewthatinthatmoment,toMorgan
Avery,shewasstandinginhiskitcheninnothingbutherhairpins.Hisgaze
traveledthelengthofher,lingeringonherbreastsandshefelthernipples
tighteninresponse.Maybethethoughtofmarryingsomeoneintownirked
himforotherreasons.Yes,becausehe’dprobablyratherhaveyouhere
cookingandwarminghisbedforhimthanoffdoingthesameforsomeone
else.
Thethoughtirritatedher.Marriagewasmorethancookingandseeingto
aman’sneedsdayandnightbutthemalepopulationdidn’tseeitthatwayand
probablyneverwould.Sheknewheroptionswerefewregardlessofherown
desires.Eithershemarriedsomeoneinthistown,andfast,orshe’dhaveto
moveon.Doingthelatterwouldcauseproblemsasherfundsweredowntoa
The Lawman Lily Graison
fewcoins.ShehadnochoicebuttomarrysomeonebeforeFletcherfoundher
andsheknewhewould.She’dbarelymanagedtogetawayfromhimin
Tucson.Posingasaboyandstowingawayonthetrainweretheonlythings
thatsavedher.
LookingatMarshalAvery,AbigailknewthechancesofPindingsomeone
whowaspleasingtotheeyewereslimtonone.Mostmen,theonessheknew
couldprotecther,wereeitherwork-worn,oldoralreadymarried.Morgan
Averywasneitherofthosethings.Hewasstronglybuilt,toweredovermost
othermen,lookedtobeinhisearlythirtiesandhewasatownmarshal.He
heldapositionthatguaranteedprotectionandprotectioniswhatsheneeded.
WhenFletcherfoundher,she’dneedsomeonetostandupforherandwho
betterthanthelocallawman?Toobadhedidn’tseemtolikehermuch.He
wouldhavebeentheperfectcandidateforthejob.Assumingshecouldever
getpasthisbristlyattitude.
Slidingbackintoherseat,shesmiledathim.Seeinghimsospeechless
waspleasinginmorewaysthanone.Goadinghimintothinkingnaughtythings
evenmoreso.“Beddingamanwouldbeamorepleasingtaskifhewereniceto
lookupon.Ican’timaginebaringmybodytosomeonewhois—lessthan
desirable.IsthisMr.McNallyyoungorold?”
SomethinginMorgan’seyesgaveAbigailsomuchpleasureshebitthe
insideofhercheektokeepfromlaughing.Helookeddazed,hisgazeonce
againrestingonherbreasts.Hesatramrodstraight,hisnostrilsPlaringslightly
andlookedtransPixedonherPlesh.HewasthinkingaboutthisMcNallyman
seeinghernaked,shejustknewhewas.Sheleanedforward,pushingher
breastsupbycrossingherarmsunderthem.“Ofcourse,seeinghowyou’re
unmarried,Iwouldn’thaveanyobjectionstoyoutakingonthetaskof
marryingme.I’dhavenoproblemcrawlingnakedintoyourbed,marshal.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
Helookedupquicklythen,shockregisteringonhisface.Hercomposure
brokeandshegrinned.“Justsomethingtothinkabout,”shesaid.“I’msurewe
couldreachsomearrangement.I’venothadamaninagessopleasemakea
decisionsoon.Awomanhasneeds,too.”
Abigailroseandwalkedbacktothesink.Shewasbarelyableto
concentrateonthedirtydishesforwantingtoturnandlookatMorgan.She
knewhe’dbethelastpersonintowntoagreetomarryherbutthelookonhis
facehadbroughtherthePirstbitofmirthshe’dhadinlongerthanshewanted
tothinkabout.Whenhestoodandcrossedtheroomtoher,leaningcloseto
herback,shesuckedinaquietbreath.Shehadn’tliedwhenshesaidawoman
hadneeds.Shedid.ShemissedhavingamaninherbedandhavingMorganso
closetohersentshiversracingupherspine.
Heleanedin,trappingherbodyagainstthecabinetbyplacingbothhands
oneithersideofher.Shecouldsmellthesoaponhisskinandburiedunder
whatsheknewwasdistinctlyhim,thefainthintofgunoil.MorganAverywas
everybitthekindofmanshe’dfancy.Strong,arrogantandjustalittlebit
demanding.Turningherheadtolookathim,shewastakenabackbythesmile
onhisface.
“Anytimeyoufancycrawlingintomybed,MissThornton,feelmorethan
welcometodoso.Hell,I’llmarryyoumyselfifthat’swhatittakes.I’vedone
worsethingsinlifeandarashdecisionusuallyendsupworkingoutinthe
longrun.Crawlingbetweenyourthighseverynightwouldbenoburden
whatsoever.”
Abigailwasstunnedwhenheleanedcloserandshefelttheproofofhis
claimstabbingatherbackside.Hewasarousedandthelookonhisface
confusedher.Washeseriousaboutthemarriage?Whenheleanedtowardher,
anglinghisheadtokissher,sherealizedhemusthavebeen.
The Lawman Lily Graison
Thekissshockedherformorereasonsthanone.Whatshethoughtwould
bealightteasingplayoflipsturnedouttobesosoulstealing,shehadtogrip
thecabinetedgetokeepfromfalling.MorganAverykissedlikehisworldwas
ending.Hedevouredwithasinglemindedness,histongueforcedintoher
mouthtodominateandclaimpossession.
Hisarmsbandedaroundherwaist,hisbodyPlushagainstherbackandat
theoddangle,Abigailcouldn’tseemtogetcloseenough.Shetriedtoturnbut
hepulledaway,herbottomlipcaughtbetweenhisteethforabriefsecond
beforeheletgoofher.
Dazed,shewatchedhimturnandwalkoutoftheroom,hisfootsteps
creakingonthestairsmomentslater.Whatthehellhadjusthappened?Didhis
kisspromisethingsshe’donlyhalf-heartedlymeant?
Raisingahandtoherlips,Abigailthoughtbackovertheirconversation.
Hadshesaidsomethingtomakehimthinkshewasaskingtomarryhim?
She’dsaiditallwithasmile,ateasinglilttohervoice.Surelyheknewthat.
ThethoughtofmarryinghimPilledherheadthenandsherealizedthethought
wasn’taburden.Shehadn’tbeenlyingaboutcrawlingintohisbed.Surehe
wasanassattimesbuthewaspleasingtolookat.Evenasscruffyashewas
thePirsttimeshe’dseenhim,she’dbeenattractedtohim.Shecouldonly
imaginewhathelookedlikestrippedbare.Apleasantshudderwrackedher
bodythenandsheturnedbacktothedishes.Shehadtimetothinkonthat
later.Forallsheknew,he’dbeenteasingherback.Therewaslittleusein
gettingworkedupoversomethingthatwouldn’thappenanyway.Ofcourse,
justbecauseshedidn’tmarrythemarshaldidn’tmeanshecouldn’tslakeher
desireforhim.Nooneeveraccusedherofbeinganangel.Shecouldseduce
theoppositesexalongwiththebestofthemandwithMorganAvery,the
The Lawman Lily Graison
desiretobejustalittlebitwantonwasapleasingprospect.He’dhaveno
aversiontoit.He’dalreadysaidasmuch.
Shesmiledasshebegancleaningupthebreakfastdishes.Maybetonight
she’dseehowfarshecouldpushhim.Theworsethatwouldhappenwouldbe
himturningherdownandshedidn’tseethathappening.He’dadmittedto
wantingherandlosingherselfforawhileinhisarmswouldn’tchange
anything.Fletcherwasstillafterher,shewasstillwithoutahusband,and
MorganAverywasstillheronlyprotector.Besides,ifsheweregoingtodie
soon,shemightaswellenjoyherlastdays.MorganAverywassuretomake
themenjoyable.Amanthatvirilecouldn’thelpbutmakethemso.
The Lawman Lily Graison
ChapterFour
Thewalktothejailwaslessthanenjoyable.Abigail’splayfulmoodfrom
breakfasthadvanishedintheknowledgeMorganwasgoingtolockherback
up.He’dseriouslythoughtafterleavingherinthekitchenearliertojustlether
gobutasmallvoiceinthebackofhisheadtoldhimthatwouldbeamistake.
HereagernesstomarryhadbeenhisPirstcluesomethingwasn’tquite
rightwithher.Sheseemedwillingtomarryjustaboutanyone,himself
included,whichthrewoffallsortsofwarningbells.Hedidn’tknowwhyhe
thoughtso,butMissThorntonwashidingsomething.Sheseemedalmost
desperateattimesandthatwaswhenhedecidedtokeepherwithhiminstead
oflettinghergo.Ofcourse,tellingherhewaskeepingherinjailhadn’tgone
oververywell.
Gettingheroutofthehousehadbeeneasy.Hejusttoldhertofollowhim
andshehad.Whensheaskedwheretheyweregoingandhetoldhertojail,
she’dexplodedintoarantingrage.Whentheystoppedinfrontofthejailand
heopenedthedoorforher,thelookonherfaceshouldhavekilledhimwhere
hestood.Inaninstant,sheturnedhostile.Hercomposuresnappedandthe
biting,clawinghellcatfromthedaybeforereturned.“I’llbebackassoonasI
can,Abigail,nowstopPightingme.”
Shekickedhimforhistroublewhenheguidedhertothecell.“Youarea
loathsomecreature,MorganAvery!There’snowonderyou’restillsingle.I
can’timagineanywomaninherrightmindwouldwanttomarryyou.”
Hegrinnedandslammedthecelldoorshutwithaclang.“Youdo,ifI
heardyoucorrectlythismorning.Infact,judgingthatkiss,youwerereadyto
jumpintomybedthatveryinstant.Nowbeagoodgirland…”Helooked
The Lawman Lily Graison
aroundthecellbeforeshrugging.“Justsittight.I’llbebacksoonandwe’lltalk
aboutthisweddingyou’resodeterminedtohave.”
“Letmeoutofhere,Morgan!Ihaven’tdoneanythingtodeservetobein
hereandyouknowit.”
“We’lltalkaboutitlater,dear.”Hegrinnedatherbeforerightinghishat
andwalkingtothedoorandoutontothesidewalk.Hershoutscouldbeheard
allthewaythroughtownandheignoredthemashenearedtheliverystable.
Saddlinghishorse,hemadequickworkofitandheadedfortheranch.
Thevalleyleadingoutoftowngaveaclearviewallthewaytothe
mountainsinthedistance.Hepaidlittleattentiontothebuddinglifespring
usuallybroughtwithit.HismindwastooclutteredwiththoughtsofAbigail.
Whenhereachedtheranch,ridingunderthemetalarchedentranceat
thegate,heinhaledadeepbreath.Freshgrass,horsesandwoodsmoke
remindedhimofachildhoodspentroamingthepasturesandlearninghowto
wranglehorses.Seeingtheranchhouse,withitsblueshutteredwindowsand
brightPlowersdottedalongthewalkwaybroughtthoughtsofhismotherto
mind.Itwasalsoareminderofhisfather’sdeclininghealthsinceherpassing.
Thatwasthemainreasonhestayedintown.Thememorieswerelesspainful
ifhedidn’thaveadailyreminderofthem.
Ridingtowardthebarn,hegrinnedashewatchedAlex,hiseight-year-old
niece,inthecorraltryingtolassoapony.Hejumpedfromhishorse,handing
offthereinstooneofthehiredhandsbeforewalkingtothefence.“You’vegot
togetcloserthanthat,sweetpea.”
Alexturnedtolookathimandherfacelitup.Shegrinned,droppedthe
lassoandrantothefence.“Whatyoudoingallthewayouthere?”sheasked.
“Pasaidyouhadyerhandsfullwithsomecatintown.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
Morganlaughed.“IdobutIcanalwaysspareaminuteformyfavorite
niece.”
Sherolledhereyesandshimmiedthroughthecorralfencing.“I’myer
onlyniece.”
Alexwasalsotheonlygirlhe’deverknownthatdidn’trealizeshewas
one.Shehatedallthingslacy,preferringtrousersandagoodsturdyhorseto
dressesanddolls.Theoldhatsheworewasbatteredandworn,arelicfrom
hisyouth.Ithadbeenhandeddowntohislittlebrother,Tristan,untilhe’d
outgrownitandstoreditintheatticuntilAlexfoundit,preferringittothe
fancydresshatshe’dgottenasabirthdaypresent.Morgantippedthefrontof
thehatupsohecouldseeherfaceandrubbedatadirtyspotonhercheek.
“Stillmyfavoriteallthesame,”hetoldher.Whenshegrinnedathim,heturned
towardthehouse.“Where’syourpaat?Ineedtospeaktohim.”
“He’sinthehousewithgrandpa.”
Whenshefrowned,Morganknewsomethinghadhappened.“Whatwasit
thistime?”
Alexshruggedhersmallshoulders.“Don’trightlyknow.Grandpawas
goingonallmorningaboutsomebodynamedBuckandsayinghe’sgonnakill
him.Pawasupsetandsentmeoutside.Iain’tseenhidenorhairof’emsince.”
Morganlefthertherebythecorralwithakissonthecheekandapromise
tocomebackandhelpherwiththelassoandheadedforthehouse.Whenhe
reachedtheporch,Holdenwalkedoutthefrontdoor.“Forgod’ssake,Morgan,
don’tevenspeaktotheman.Ittookmedamnneartwohourstocalmhim
down.”
“Thatbad,huh?”
Holdennoddedandusheredhimbackdownthesteps.Helookedtoward
thecorral,smilingatAlexbeforeturninghisattentiontohim.“So,whatbrings
The Lawman Lily Graison
youwayouthere?Andpleasetellmeyoudidn’tleavethatwomanlockedupin
thejail.”
Morgansighed,liftedhishatandranahandthroughhishairbefore
placingitbackonhishead.HelookedoveratHoldenandthoughtoflyingto
him.Hegrinnedinstead.“Actually,Idid.Can’tletherjustwalkaroundtown.I
didarrestherifyouremember.”
“Iremember.I’mjustnotsurewhyyoudid.”
MorganwastryingtoPigurethatoneouthimself.Atthetime,itseemed
liketherightthingtodobutnowthathelookedbackonit,heknewhe’djust
doneitbecauseshe’dannoyedhimandruinedhisday.Surethesaloonwas
destroyedbuthell,itlookedlikethatonceamonthanyway.Someonewas
alwaysstartingabrawlinthere.Thelasttime,BenCrowleyandhiscrewhad
doneit.They’dallspentanightinjailtosleepofftheirdrunkandhereleased
themthenextday.Itwaswhathe’dplannedondoingwithAbigailsowhywas
shestilllockedinthattinycell?
Ifheknewtheanswertothat,hewouldn’tevenbeouthere.Heraskingif
Holdenwasunmarriedstartedhimthinkingthingsheshouldn’thave.Atthe
time,he’dbeenshocked,thenputoutshe’daskedabouthisbrotherPirstasa
possiblehusbandandnothimself.Notthatgettingmarriedwasonhislistof
priorities.Ithadn’tbeeninyears,butitstillstungabitknowinghisbrother
waspreferredoverhim.ThenAbigailhadthrownhimforaloopand
propositionedhiminstead,goingsofarastosayingshewantedtocrawlinto
hisbed.Thevisualofherdoingjustthat,buttassnaked,hadlefthimachingto
haveher.Heknewshewasjustpullinghisleg,hecouldseethemischiefinher
eyeswhenshesaidit,andplayingalonghadgainedhimaboon.Akiss.Onehe
regrettedendingsosoon.Thewomanwasassweetasshelooked.He’dgrown
hardandeagerforherthenandknewifhe’dletitgoonmuchlonger,he
The Lawman Lily Graison
wouldhavehadherbentoverthetablewithherskirtoverherheadwhile
feastingonherPleshlikeshewashispersonaldessert.
Thelookonherfaceafterkissinghimconfusedhimthough.Shewasn’t
angrylikehethoughtshe’dbewhichledhimtothinkmaybehe’dreadher
wrong.Thatmaybeshehadn’tbeenteasinghimaboutmarriageafterall.And
he’dgoneandsaidhewould.
HelookedbackoveratHolden,raisedahandandscratchedhischin.“I
thinkImighthaveagreedtomarryherthismorning.”
Holdensaidnothing.Juststoodtherestaringathimforlongmoments
beforehestartedlaughing.Afewoftheranchhandslookedtheirway,even
Alexstoppedwhatshewasdoingtoseewhatwasgoingon.WhenHolden
Pinallystoppedhee-hawing,Morganwasscowlingathim.“Itain’tthatdamn
funny.”
“Oh,butitis.”Holdenrubbedhiseyes,grinningwidely.“MissAngelina
overatthesaloonwillgooutofbusinessifyoustopcallingonhergirls.Thatis
assuminghavingawifeathomeisenoughtokeepyouoccupied.”
Morganhadn’teventhoughtofthat.Helaughedandshookhishead.
“Don’tguessmanywomenwouldwanttheirhusbandsspendingmuchtimein
theroomsabovethesaloon.GuessIcouldalwaysgetoutofitthatway.”
Holdenturnedtofacehim,oneeyebrowraised.“Getoutofit?Youcan’tbe
serious.”
“Whythehellwouldn’tIbe?”Morganstartedacrosstheyard,heading
backtothecorralwhereAlexwastryingtolassoherpony.Holdenfollowed.
“Wouldyougiveupaharemfullofwomenforthesameoneeverydamn
night?”
Holdengrinned.“Actually,yeah,Iwould.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
ThefactHoldenhadbeenmarriedatonetimeescapedhimmostdays.
Hisbrother’smarriagetoMaggiehadbeensobriefitwashardtorecallwhat
she’devenlookedlike.LookingatAlexusuallyremindedhim,though.Shehad
hermother’sblondhairanddaintyfeatures.Shewassmallandfairskinned
andhehopedlikehellshewasn’tpronetosicknesslikehermotherhadbeen.
LosingMaggiehadbeenhardonthemall,especiallyHolden.Takingcareofa
newbornwasadauntingtaskforahousefullofmenbutthey’ddoneit.Itwas
probablywhythegirlhadanaversiontoallthings—girly.
“You’renotstillthinkingaboutCecilia,areyou?Becauseyoucan’tjudge
allwomenbythatone.Marriageisn’tasdifPicultasshemadeitouttobe.”
Atthementionofhername,Morganfelthisstomachclenchin
rememberedanguish.Hetriednottothinkofhermostdays.It’swhyhespent
aslittletimeaspossibleinthefancyhousehe’dhadbuiltintown.Itwasfor
her,afterall.Shakinghishead,hethrewHoldenaheatedglare.“Ihadn’t
thoughtofheratallbeforenowsothanksforthereminder.”
“Sorry,”Holdensaid.Heturned,bracedhisbackagainstthefenceand
crossedhisarmsoverhischest.“So,tellmewhathappened.Howdidmarriage
comeaboutwithyourprisonerandwhyaren’tyoujumpingatthechance?”
Morgantoldhimhowtheconversationstarted,omittingthepartwhere
AbigailaskedifHoldenweresingle.“IthoughtshewasteasingmebutnowI
gettheimpressionshewasn’t.”
“Andyou’vetoldheryouwould?”
Henoddedhishead.“Prettymuch.”
Holdenlaughedandslappedhimontheshoulder.“Notsurewhattotell
you,Morgan,otherthantotakeadvantageofit.There’sworsethingstobe
saddledwiththanawillingwomaninyourbedeverynight.Ifitwereme,I’d
alreadyhaveriddenhalfthecountrytryingtoPindthecircuitpreacher.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
Morganblewoutabreathandpushedtherimofhishatup.Talkingto
Holdenhadn’tbroughthimanyclosertoananswerthanhehadbeforeriding
outtotheranch.Hewasn’tevensurewhyhecared.TellingAbigailhewasn’t
seriousaboutmarryingherwouldbeeasybutforsomereason,alittlepartof
himdidn’treallywanttodoit.Probablythepartthatgottiredofpayingfor
sexandeatingcold,blandmealsbyhimself.Havingawomanathomewaiting
onhimwouldbenice.ThethoughtusedtocheerhimupbuteversinceCecilia,
itonlybroughthomethefactthathavingawomanwasmoretroublethanthey
wereworthandhewassureAbigailThorntonwouldbetoo.
***
Abigailhadpacedthelengthofhertinycelluntilherfeetached.She’d
cursedMorganAvery’snameineveryfashionsheknewhowandplottedways
togetevenwithhimfortakingadvantageofher.She’dcookedamealforhim
thatevenhergrandmammawouldhavebeenproudof,treatedhimtoa
salaciousreminderthatshewasawomaninneedofamanandkissedhim
backashungrilyashe’dkissedher.Andwhathadtheorneryoldgoatdone?
Lockedherbackupinthisstinkinglittlehovelofajailcelland—leftherthere!
She’dyelleduntilherthroatwashoarseandbeenthesubjectofmore
thanonepersonstickingtheirheadinsidethejailhousetostareather.Afew
venomouswordshadthemallretreating.Shewasfuriousatthetownsfolkof
WillowCreekaswell.Howcouldtheyleaveher,awoman,insidethebuilding
alonewithoutevenbattinganeye?Whatsortofpeoplewereinthistown
anyway?
ThedooropenedagainandAbigailturned,readytoletPlyanothervicious
tiradeatthemanwhostuckhisheadintogawkatherbutstilledhertongue
The Lawman Lily Graison
whenaheavysetwomanwithgrayinghairwalkedin.Thewomansmiled,
repositionedthebasketthatwashangingfromherarmbythehandle,and
pushedthedooropenwide.“Goodafternoontoya.”
Abigailtriedtosmilebutfailedmiserably.Thewomandidn’tseemto
notice.Shewastoobusydraggingthechairsittinginfrontofthedeskacross
theroomandtowardthejailcell.
Whenshehadthechairwhereshewantedit,shestood,placedthebasket
ontopandstuckherhandthroughthebars.“I’mEdnaPierceandletmesay,
MorganAveryshouldbeashamedofhimselflockingyouupinhere.”
ThesmileAbigailgracedthewomanwithwasgenuine,then.Someone
elseinthistownthoughtthemarshalwasavilecreature,too.Abigaillikedher
already.“Pleasuretomeetyou,”shesaid,takingthewoman’shand.“Abigail
Thornton.”
Ednacluckedhertongue,shakingherheadbeforescrunchingupher
nose.“Thisplaceisashorribleasalways.ItsmellsofPilthandisn’taPitplace
forawoman.”Sheturned,grabbedthebasketandslidbackthecheckered
linenlyingontop.Anassortmentoffoodlayinside.Chickenandbiscuits,an
apple,andafewslicesofcheese.ItwasenoughtocauseAbigail’sstomachto
growl.Ithadbeenhourssincebreakfastandshehadn’teatenmuchthen.
Takingthebasketwhenitwasoffered,Abigailsatontheedgeofthecot
andtuckedintothefoodasEdnasatdownonthechair.Thewomanstarted
talkingimmediatelyandAbigailonlyhalflistened.Thegoingsonintown
reallydidn’tinteresther.Itdidn’ttakelongtorealizeEdnaPiercewasthe
townbusy-bodyandlocalgossip.
Thewomantalkednonstopfortwentyminutesaboutnonsensicalthings
butAbigailperkedupwhensheheardMorgan’snamementionedandraised
herhead.Ednahadadisapprovinglookonherface.“He’snotPitformuch
The Lawman Lily Graison
morethansittinginthisjail,”shewassaying.“Why,thewayhecarrieson…”
Ednashookherhead,makingthatcluckingsoundwithhertongue.Sheleaned
forwardandloweredhervoicetoawhisper.“Hespendsalmosteverynight
overatthesaloon.ThewayIhearit,heknowsmoreaboutthose…women,
theykeepupstairsthananyoneelseintown.”Ednaraisedhereyebrowsinan
exaggeratedmanner.“He’snotveryparticular,theysay.”
EdnawentintogreatdetailaboutMorgan’ssociallife,particularlyhis
fondnessofthewhoresabovethesaloon.Hespentmoretimeintheirbeds
thanhedidhisown,apparently.WhenAbigailaskedwhy,Ednabrightenedand
straightenedherback.“Oh,mostpeoplethinkit’sbecauseofMissCecilia.”
ThementionofanotherwomandrewAbigail’sattentionfully.Shewiped
herhandsonthecheckedlinenandsatthebasketonthePloorbyherfeet.
“WhoisCecilia?”
“Oh,shewasthemarshal’sPiancée.Hebuiltthathouseforher,youknow.
SpenteverydimehehadgettingitallPixedup.Sentoffforstorebought
furniture,too.Ihaven’tseentheinsidebutIhearit’sthegrandesthomeinall
ofWillowCreek.”
AbigailblinkedatEdnaandopenedhermouthtosaythehousewasnice
butthewomantalkedrightoverher.
“Shewasaprettylittlething,thatCecilia.Alittleuppityifyouaskme,but
mostpeoplewithmoneyusuallyare.”Ednasniffedasifshewereslightedand
continued.“ThewayIhearit,onceMissCeciliasawhowsmallandrugged
WillowCreekwas,shewassooffendedMorganwouldevenconsidermaking
herlivehere,shecriedallthewaybacktoMissoulaandstraighttothearmsof
herfather’sbusinessassociate.She’slivingoutinSanFranciscolastIheard.”
TheconversationlastedforanotherhourandAbigailwasyawningbythe
timeEdnagotaroundtotellingheraboutMorgan’sthreebrothers.Apparently
The Lawman Lily Graison
oneofthem,Colton,wasanoutlawwantedinfourstatesanddangerousto
boot.HewasthetwintoHolden,whomshe’dmet.Theyoungest,Tristan,also
hadatarnishedreputation.Agamblerbytradewhodidn’tknowhowtoturn
downacardgameifhislifedependedonitandtheirfatherwasjustthisside
ofcrazyeversincetheirmammapassed.
WhenEdnastoppedtalking,Abigailfocusedherattentionbackonher.
“Hehasn’tdoneanything…unseemlysincehelockedyouuphashe?”
Abigailgrinned.“Notreally.”
Edna’seyeswidened.“Oh,dotell.”
ThefactthiswomanwouldprobablytelleverythingAbigailsaidtoherto
everypersonwhowouldlistendidn’tcrossherminduntilitwastoolate.
WhenshetoldEdnaMorganhadtakenherhomewithhimlastnight,the
womanlookedsoscandalized,sherosefromherseat,handtoherchest,and
gaspeduntilherfaceturnedblue.
“Tookyouhomewithhim!Whateverfor?”Ednajumpedtoconclusions
andwasinatizzywithinmoments.Shewasmumblingtoherself,wringingher
handsandtalkingabouthavingMorganbootedoutofhispositionastown
marshal.Normally,Abigailwouldn’thavecaredbutsinceshe’dhadtimeto
cooloff,herireatMorganwasn’tassevereasithadbeen.Hearingthiswoman
spoutoffabouthavingMorganlosehisjob,however,washerfaultentirely.
Shestood,walkedtothecelldoorandreachedthrough,tryingtoget
Edna’sattention.“Don’tworry,Edna.Hewasaperfectgentleman,Icanassure
you.”
Ednastoppedpacingandturnedtolookather.“Areyousure?”
Abigailsmiledandnoddedherhead,laughingtotryandlightenthe
mood.“Yes.Iusedoneofthesparebedrooms.Hedidn’twantmetohaveto
sleephereinthecellonthatoldcot.”
The Lawman Lily Graison
“Oh.”Ednaactuallylookeddisappointedforamomentbeforeshescoffed.
“Well,I’msurprised.Morganhasn’teverbeenoverlykindtoanyone,especially
me.He’sahorrible,vile,wretchedman.Why,Ithinkhepurposelytriesto
annoymemostdays.”
Heprobablydoes.Abigailkeptthatcommenttoherselfandsmiled.“He
wasnothingbutkind,Edna,sodon’tgoworryingabouthowIwastreated.
Why,whenhefoundoutmyhusbandtobewasn’theretogreetmehesaid
he’dmarryme!”Themomentthewordswereoutofhermouth,Abigail
regrettedthem.Shedidn’tknowwhyshesaiditotherthantodispelEdna’s
aggravationatMorgan,butwhenEdnalookedather,shecouldseeachange
comeoverthewoman.Itwaslikewatchingthesunburstthroughtheclouds
andbrightenaoncegloomyday.Ednaperkedrightup,smilingbeforeclasping
herhandstogether.“See,Iknewthemarshalwasakindanddecentman.I’ve
beentellingeveryoneintownthatheisandnoonewillbelieveme.Why,you
justwaituntiltheyhearofthis!They’llallsee.”
Ednaleftinaswirlofpetticoats,pullingthedoortothejailclosedbehind
her.Abigailwasn’tsureexactlywhathappened,orwhatchangedEdna’smind
whereMorganwasconcerned,buttryingtoPigureitalloutwoulddoherno
goodanyway.Shewasstilllockedup,Morganwasstillnotlettinghergoand
shereallyhadtousetheprivy.Sheglancedatthepotunderthesmallbedand
grimaced.“Ireallydohateyou,MorganAvery.”
Themomentshesaidhisname,heopenedthedoortothejailhouseand
walkedin.HehadtheaudacitytosmileatherandhertemperPlaredatthe
smuglookonhisface.“It’sabouttime.Doyouhaveanyideahowhellishmy
dayhasbeen?”
“NotreallybutI’msureyou’regoingtotellme.”Heapproachedthecell,
removedthekeyinhispocketandunlockedthedoor.
The Lawman Lily Graison
“AreyouPinallygoingtoletmego?”
Hegrinnedandheldthedooropenforher.“Nope.You’recominghome
withme.”
“Whateverfor?”
Thelookonhisfacepromisedthingsthatmadeherinsidesquiver.She
hesitatedbeforesteppingoutofthecell,staringhimintheeyeasshestopped
infrontofhim.Sheraisedaneyebrow,suckedinabreathlargeenoughher
breastsrubbedagainsthischest.“Haveyoucometosomeaccordaboutour
arrangement,then?”
EndofExcerpt
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