Wild Wyoming Wind by Margery Scott

Author:Margery Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ranch, widow, killer, outlaw, homestead, lawman, wyoming, marshal
Publisher: Margery Scott

Chapter 12

Jake stretched, arching his back to try to get rid of the kinks he'd acquired during the night. His leg throbbed, but that was almost preferable to the overall stiffness he felt. He hoped Tyler would make his move soon. Three nights of his body cramped sleeping on that lumpy settee were making him feel like he was seventy. The night before, he'd given up and stretched out on the floor, but even that hadn't helped. He was surprised that even the ground he'd spent more nights sleeping on than he could count was more comfortable.

Then again, he probably wouldn't get much sleep in the most luxurious feather bed knowing Maddie was just a few feet away, hearing her soft breathing, and wishing there was some way, any way he could be in that bed with her. Recognizing the tightness starting again, he raked his fingers through his hair and set his thoughts on finding his boots.

Yanking one of his boots on, he looked up to see Maddie coming out of the bedroom. "Mornin', Maddie."

Maddie smiled up at him, and for the first time, Jake noticed the dark shadows beneath her eyes. So she wasn't getting much sleep either. She was scared. He knew that. But there was no way she'd ever admit it. This need for her to always be independent and strong was getting carried away. Why couldn't she understand it was normal to be frightened, that leaning on someone else wasn't the worst thing you could do?

But he understood. Better than most, he understood that to allow someone else to penetrate the shell would make her vulnerable.

Jake opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. "Put the latch on," he ordered.

"Where are you going?"

Jake gave her a wicked smile. "There are some things a lady shouldn't ask a man."

"Oh ... oh ..." Maddie's face pinked.

"I'll take care of the livestock and collect the eggs," he added.

"Well ..."She turned away to go into the kitchen, hoping he hadn't seen her embarrassment. "Thank you. I'll start breakfast then."

An hour later, Maddie glanced up at the clock. "We'd better hurry, Mama. We'll be late,"she said, quickly clearing the table and setting the dirty plates on the counter. "I'll have to leave these until we get back."

"Late for what?" Jake asked, watching Emmaline sip the last of her coffee and get up. Gripping the side of the table, she stood still for a moment or two to catch her breath, then shuffled into her bedroom.

"It is Sunday," she added, noticing the frown on Jake's face.

Yeah, and yesterday was Saturday, and tomorrow would be Monday. Now that they had the days of the week straightened out, that still didn't tell him where she thought she was going.

His confusion must have registered on his face, because she gazed up at him as if he was missing something vital. Then, seeing he still didn't understand, she said, "Church."

"Church?" he repeated. She was planning to go to church? "You want to go to church?"

Maddie glared at Jake, apparently taking offense at the tone of his voice.

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