Tempting a Texan by Carolyn Davidson

Author:Carolyn Davidson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“Something went on at the jail last night.” Cleary stood in Nicholas’s office, his face set in lines that measured his concern. “I found horse tracks around the back and footprints leading right up to the window.”

“Were the bars intact?” Nicholas asked. The two men waiting in that cell had been much on his mind this morning, and the thought that they might find a way of escape made it imperative that they be dealt with rapidly. Though Cleary excelled at his position in Collins Creek, there were ways of challenging the system here, where so little crime existed and the facilities were less than foolproof.

“Yeah, I checked that out.” Cleary frowned. “I sure as hell hate the thought of parking my backside in my office every night till we hear from a judge as to what those two will be finally be charged with. I figure I’ll have to ship them off to Dallas for trial, but in the meantime Gussie isn’t going to like it one little bit when I tell her I’ll be standing guard instead of coming home.”

The thought of the petite, golden-haired woman giving Cleary a hard time made Nicholas come near to smiling, and then he subsided, registering the lawman’s grim features. Considering the night to come, Cleary might be in need of a backup. “Are they sending a marshal? Will he arrive today, maybe?”

Cleary shrugged. “Who knows when the red tape will be cut and they’ll get a man out here? But it should be any time now. Kidnapping is a serious offense. I’d think there’ll be a couple of men here shortly. They won’t send just one for this job.”

Nicholas leaned back in his chair, the primitive sense of justice he favored in this case almost overwhelming his better instincts. “I’m all for a hanging,” he said shortly. “I’ll even spring for a couple of new ropes.”

“Don’t let that news get out and around,” Cleary warned him. “You’ll shoot your classy image all to hell and back, Nick.” His mouth twisted in a grin of recognition as he surveyed his friend. “That’s the alley rat in you comin’ out, you know.”

“I can see I never should have confided my beginnings to you, Sheriff.” Good humor overcame his quick temper for a moment as Nicholas eyed the lawman. “These folks think I’m a gentleman. I’d hate to let them in on the facts of the matter. They’d never trust me with their money.”

“Well, you’ve got my share in that safe in the back room.” Cleary moved from the doorway and settled into a chair. “Not that there’s much to brag about. But Gussie trusts you, and we both know she’s got a dandy nest egg. I won’t let the cat out of the bag, Nick. Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Why don’t you get yourself a deputy?” Nicholas asked, reverting to the sober frown he’d been wearing during the past two days. “I’d come down tonight and take turns patrolling the place, but I need to stay with Amanda and Lin.

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