A Bounty Hunter and the Bride by Vickie McDonough

Author:Vickie McDonough
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance, Christian, Oklahoma Brides, Historical
ISBN: 9781597893886
Publisher: Barbour
Published: 2006-12-01T08:00:00+00:00

Katie held her breath as Dusty hugged Joey to his chest. The longing in his eyes made her heart ache. She knew if she didn’t get ahold of herself, she’d be in tears again. Aunt Rebekah said it was the natural way of things for a woman to cry a lot after a birthing.

She dashed to her feet, and Dusty looked up, bewildered. “I’ll be right back. I need to get something.”

If he hadn’t looked so nervous, she might have laughed at his expression.

“You can’t leave me here with—him. I wouldn’t know what to do if he started crying.”

Katie pressed her lips together at seeing this big, capable man floundering at holding a baby.

“Just jiggle him a little if he fusses. I’ll be right back.”

“No, Katie, wait—”

She rushed out of the parlor and slowly climbed the stairs to her bedroom, savoring her name on his tongue. She liked the sound of it way more than she should. In her room, she found the denim shirt she’d finished and pressed for Dusty and then made her way back downstairs.

As she entered the parlor, she heard Dusty talking and expected to see someone with him, but instead, she found him cooing softly to Joey. The baby stared at him with wide-eyed fascination.

For a fleeting second, a shiver of remorse coursed through her. Jarrod should be holding his child instead of this stranger. Katie closed her eyes and pushed away the angry thought. Nothing could change the past, and like it or not, Dusty had saved her life and Joey’s. At the least, she owed him her kindness and gratitude. Putting her anger aside, she had to admit she was starting to like the quiet man. He reminded her of Uncle Mason.

He looked up, and relief flooded his eyes. “Good. You’re back.”

“Looks to me like you’re doing just fine.” Katie smiled and checked on her son. He wiggled as if he wanted Dusty’s attention again.

“Well, what do you think?” She shook out the denim shirt and looked at Dusty, wondering if he’d be pleased.

His eyes lit up, and she watched his gaze travel down the length of the sleeve. “That looks mighty fine. If you’ll just take back your baby, I can get the coins I have in my pocket.”

Katie grinned this time. He might enjoy holding the baby in private, but this tough deputy marshal didn’t want to seem too soft in public. She folded the shirt and laid it on the coffee table, wishing she could ask Dusty to try it on but knowing that wouldn’t be proper. She’d like to make sure the sleeves were long enough before she cut out the other one.

After settling back onto the settee, she reached out, and Dusty laid Joey in her arms. Katie tried to ignore the way her heart pitter-pattered when Dusty brushed against her arm.

He heaved a sigh that she was sure was relief. He stood and pulled two gold dollars from his pocket and set them on the table.

His boots thudded on the rag rug as he paced across the room.

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