Elusive Hope by MaryLu Tyndall

Author:MaryLu Tyndall [TYNDALL, MARYLU]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-62836-265-7
Publisher: Barbour Books
Published: 2013-03-03T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

A church was the last place Hayden expected to find Magnolia. It was the last place he expected to find himself. Still throbbing from her assault, he approached her with caution, lest the wildcat reveal her claws again. But when he grew close, she made no move to run, made no move to fight. Instead she remained in the pew, her face a white sheet, her eyes stark and skittering. Finally she gazed up at him, her befuddled expression transforming into recognition, followed by fear, then resignation.

“I see you found me,” she said.

“Perceptive as always, Princess.”

She rose, teetered, and grabbed the pew back for support, the fight gone out of her. So easily, or did something happen? Hayden glanced through the church but no one was in sight. Just the crucified Jesus staring down at Hayden as if he weren’t worthy to be in such a holy place.

A shiver etched between his shoulders.

Magnolia grabbed her valise. “I take it I am now your prisoner.”

“Call it what you may, I will not allow you to put your life and your purity at risk.”

She stepped into the aisle, raised a hand to her head and swayed. An act? No, not by the way she gasped as if all air had evacuated the church. Hayden grabbed her elbow, and she all but fell against him. Despite his anger, he wrapped an arm around her waist and felt her tremble. “What happened? Are you all right?”

She sniffed and shook her head, but said nothing. Hayden found he quite enjoyed the pussy cat over the tigress. Besides, he could not deny his relief at finding her. At first, as he folded in agony from her kick, unable to move or even breathe, his anger told him to just let her go, just let her be. After all, he had what little money she possessed. If the shrew wanted to be on her own, what was that to him? But he couldn’t do it. Couldn’t even think clearly while she was wandering the streets alone. And in far more danger than her innocence realized.

Taking her valise, he ushered her to the door. No sooner did they step out into the blaring sun than the tigress reappeared. Tearing from his embrace, she shoved him aside, nearly knocking him down the steps. “You deceived me!”

He turned his body, shielding himself from another kick, and clutched her arm lest she try to run again. “You deceived me, Princess.” He still couldn’t believe that she’d swindled him so effectively, that she’d charmed her way into his heart with lies and promises. The notorious confidence man, Hayden Gale! It was not only unheard of, it was infuriating, and even worse, it was humiliating beyond all measure.

Halting at the bottom of the stairs, she snapped from his grip and faced him. “So, we lied to each other. Used each other. We are even.” Squinting against the bright sunlight, she scanned the street. “How on earth did you find me?”

“The boy.” Hayden gestured toward the bench, but it was empty now.

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