Lietha Wards The King's Lady (pdf)

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explained looking from one to the other. The possessive deadly look in
the man s eyes that stood not five feet away from him told him that he d
might have chose the wrong woman to fun with.
I don t appreciate you looking at her either. Everett offered
with a rein of threat in his voice ignoring the apology.
The three men looked at one another then back at Jace and
Everett.
I wouldn t. Said Everett knowing they were considering
taking them. He d seen that look many times, It would be a waste of
your lives. He slid his hand to his hip hovering it above his six shooter.
Behind him he could hear a movement from Jace which made him
know that he just levelled the shotgun towards the three.
We may be out numbered boys, Jace said in a steely voice,
But I ll put a hole in whoever goes for his gun first. So the question is;
who s willing to die first?
He s right, The Sherriff suddenly appeared beside them, You
heard the man, ride out or I ll arrest the lot of you for being drunk and
disorderly in public plus assault.
That seemed to work, ending the standoff. The men got on
their horses and with a final look at the group, rode out.
Thanks Brodie.
Don t thank me. I m just getting tired of cleanin up shot up
bodies from you boys. They should thank me for saving their lives. He
tried to look stern but the smile was still on his face, You all right
young miss? Brodie redirected his attention to the pretty lady peeking
out from behind Everett.
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The King s Lady
She nodded and thanked him and he left after he told them he d
be seeing them on Saturday for the party.
I ll be down in the saloon Everett. Said Jace, Fun s over for
me too, and I want a drink. Join me if you like. He flicked a nod to
Kate and with his rifle slung over his shoulder he nudged his horse in
the direction of the saloon.
Everett turned and looked down at her, Did he hurt you? He
brought his hand up and brushed the soft flesh of her cheek in obvious
worry while his eyes searched hers for any indication.
His touch was the most remarkable caress she would ever
remember. It was gentle and full of much more than just a simple
stroke to calm her. Not only did it cause that warmth to stir in the pit of
her stomach, it made her completely forget about the men who
manhandled her. It was as if he was telling her exactly how much she
meant to him in that brief moment without speaking. Everything that
Ellie had told her of Everett seemed a total lie. Not once had he
portrayed what she had told her or wrote her. He seemed so expressive.
His emotions were clearly stated in his warm ochre gaze, his posture
and even his touch. Maybe no one ever took notice of this before, but
she certainly didn t miss it. Maybe people thought of him in a different
way because of his large size and hard set looks. Kate, however, wasn t
used to such appearances, so Everett only seemed like an overlarge
handsome man who clearly had interest in her. Or did he? Then she
remembered that he had told her from the second day that she d arrived
at the Purnells, that he had come to see her. Yet Ellie s words gave her
an edge of doubt. Not only that it had been several days since she d
heard or seen anything of him and she let all of those doubts seep in.
Now, with him touching her again, they were gone.
No, not really. She finally said as she absently rubbed her
wrist while trying to keep the frightful tremor out of her voice.
Everett took her hand and saw the faint beginnings of a bruise,
Why that son-of&
I m fine. She interrupted, Thank you for your help. She saw
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Lietha Wards
his face cloud over in anger.
He had no right to touch you Kate. He gritted angrily
swinging his head at the cloud of dust of the departing men. A brief
thought of him hunting them down flew through his mind until she
spoke. The softness in her voice distracted him.
No, but you saved me. The menacing look in his eyes was
surprising. This must be what people see, she thought. It would
definitely give him the reputation she had heard about. Although when
she spoke to him it softened as his eyes met hers again. It was then that
she realized that he really did care about her. You were really
worried? His face softened completely. More than anything she wanted
to ask him if what he said to the men about her being his girl, was true.
Of course. He saw the pink enter her cheeks at his
confession. Then he looked over her head and felt his anger return,
Who the hell you come to town with? And where are they? He said
glancing around.
Ike and Ellie had to go into the General store. I saw the dress
shop and decided to look in the window, please don t blame them.
She was so innocent. He softened his hard stare when he
returned his gaze to her, Kate, this isn t New York. Cottonwood isn t
full of gentlemen. You need to be more careful.
I know that now. Everett you can let go of my hand now. She
flushed looking around them. Several people that had gathered to see
the confrontation were still watching the couple.
He reluctantly released her, forgetting that he still held it.
Staring down at her he took a deep breath and released it. I m going to
take you home. He didn t feel confident in anyone looking out for her.
How long was she wandering before those three accosted her? What if
he and Jace hadn t come along? He glanced down the walk toward
their buckboard behind the Purnell s wagon in front of the store. He
realized that she d barely gone fifty yards and she was approached. She
was too damn pretty for her own good. The sooner people knew that
she belonged to him, the better.
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The King s Lady
She stared up at him, But... She wasn t sure if her words
stopped because he d interrupted her or if it was that striking warm
stare that shut her up.
Don t argue. He said sternly but gently while placing one of
his long lean fingers on her luscious lips to silence her. I ll tell Ike and
Ellie.
Kate held her breath at the tender touch, and didn t miss the
glint in his eyes that went with it. Everett, they can& she spoke more
softly but was interrupted again.
Those boys may not be gone Kate. Ike s a good cowboy, but
he s an old man, and I doubt very much he can shoot like he used to.
I m taking you home. He said with a tone of finality.
Oh. I see. She never considered that the three men would try
to harm her again. Everett was right, she really was na�ve.
I ll leave Chance my horse and take the Buckboard. He took
her elbow and walked her across the street where Chance was loading
the wagon with supplies. He left her with Chance when he went in the
store to speak to Ike. He didn t want her to hear what he was going to
say.
In the Saloon, Jace was ordering a shot of whiskey when
Chance came sauntering in. A few of the other men that saw the
altercation were asking about Everett s girl.
Jace ordered Chance a shot of whiskey and handed it to him, It
seems everyone seems to know that Kate is Everett s except Kate. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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