Lawfully Justified by Lorana Hoopes

Author:Lorana Hoopes [Hoopes, Lorana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lorana Hoopes

Chapter Thirteen

Doc Moore stepped back and rubbed his chin. “Well, your wound is healing and doesn’t appear infected, but I’m still a little worried there might be fragments in your neck. If there are any, a jarring impact could cause them to shift and puncture your trachea - your windpipe.”

“What are you saying?” William asked. Though still a little stiff, the pain had lessened each day, but a part of him hoped the doctor would tell him he needed more rest with supervision. He didn’t know why, but Emma had wormed her way into his thoughts. There was a definite attraction between them and William half hoped to see where it might lead, but collecting bounties was his life. Could he give it up and stay in one place? Would she even want what little he had to offer?

“I’m saying you’re free to go, but you should be careful. Chasing outlaws may not be the safest occupation for your condition.”

No, stopping hunting outlaws wasn’t likely in his future. There was too much adrenaline with it, and of course the money was nice. He didn’t know what he had been thinking. He couldn’t stay, but he did have one thing he wanted to do before he left. “Would it be possible to stay one more night with you? I can’t get Monroe out of jail until tomorrow. I’d be happy to sleep on the couch.”

“Nonsense,” Doc Moore said. “You are welcome to stay another night. I’ll bunk with the boys tonight.

“Thank you, sir. You have been too kind.” William wondered if Doc Moore would be so accommodating if he knew of William’s involvement in Joseph’s death.

“It is I who should be thanking you. You keep the riff-raff out of our towns, which keeps everyone safe.”

William averted his eyes as he thought again of Emma’s husband. He hadn’t kept everyone safe, but he had to find a way to tell Emma the truth.

“It smells like the girls have lunch ready, and I don’t know about you, but I’m famished,” Doc Moore said, patting his belly. “The girls in Opdyke West could use some lessons from my daughters.”

William smiled and followed him into the kitchen, but his mind was on Emma. Maybe he could get her to take a walk with him after lunch, and he could tell her everything then. He pulled out a chair and sat down, catching Emma’s eye as he did. She smiled at him - a friendly, engaging, beautiful smile - and the guilt inside him grew.

With Doc Moore at the table, everyone’s positions had shifted a little and Emma ended up next to him.

“Let’s hold hands as we pray tonight,” Doc Moore said.

William caught the flash of pink that graced Emma’s fair cheeks before she held her hand out to him. He took her hand, but he couldn’t enjoy the contact much as he was still thinking about how she might react to his information. Would she hate him? He certainly wouldn’t blame her if she did.

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