Taken by the Cowboy by Julianne MacLean

Author:Julianne MacLean
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Julianne MacLean
Published: 2011-10-06T13:53:58+00:00

Chapter Twenty

A cold wave of shock moved through Jessica as she digested Truman’s words.

"What happened?”

He sat forward again, rested his elbows on his knees, and looked her in the eye as he spoke.

"She was sick—that much is true—and we couldn’t run the farm. We needed money, so I set out to collect what I thought would be an easy reward. There was an outlaw they called Big Dog. He knew I was looking for him, and by that time, folks knew my aim was good, and I didn't miss my mark often. I reckon he wanted to get to me before I could get to him, so he came to the house."

Jessica swallowed over the sickening lump of dread that rose up in her throat.

"When Big Dog walked in my front door,” he continued, “I drew my weapon. Big Dog shot me in the shoulder, and I shot him at the same time. He dropped his gun but stayed on his feet, while I fell back onto the floor. He was wobbling, and I figured he'd go down any time. So I lay there with my six-shooter aimed at his head, not even knowing if I had any bullets left."

Sitting back in the chair, Truman kept his eyes trained on Jessica’s. “That’s when Dorothy came out of the bedroom with my shotgun. I didn’t see her. She was so quiet on her bare feet. Big Dog saw her though. He made a move for his gun, so I fired. Dorothy stepped between us right then and took my bullet in her back." His quiet voice shook. "She thought Big Dog shot her, and I never told her the difference. She died right there in my arms. The last thing she said was, ‘I saved you.’"

Jessica got down on her knees in front of him. “I’m very sorry, Truman.”

"I buried her on the hill,” he continued, “and everyone in town thought..." He looked down. "I told them Big Dog shot her. Then I took the reward money, sold the ranch, and left town for good."

"It was an accident."

"But I should have told people. I should have told her folks. They were good people, and I lied to them."

“You’d been through hell, dealing with the worst kind of guilt. You were in no state to think clearly.” She ran her fingers down his arm, searching for the right words.

"I killed my wife,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ll never forgive myself for it, and I don’t want to lose you like I lost her."

"You will forgive yourself,” she said. “I’ll make sure of it. And you won't lose me."

A chill shivered up her spine. Could she really promise him that?

Suddenly, in a rush of movement, he stood up, pulled her to her feet, and smothered her next words with a deep, open-mouthed kiss that left her burning with love and desire.

She knew she had to tell him the truth about where she came from, but he needed her now. He needed this, so she would confess her secrets later.

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