Winning the Widow's Heart by Sherri Shackelford

Author:Sherri Shackelford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-08-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Elizabeth soon discovered one thing about the lawman—he sure knew how to eat. She heaped a third helping of apple pan Dowdy onto his scraped-clean plate while he looked on with rapt interest.

“I couldn’t possibly have any more,” Jack protested, drawing the plate closer to his chest, his fork poised in the air. “But since you’ve already served some up, I’d hate to see it go to waste. I’ve never eaten a finer meal, Mrs. Cole.”

His formal address set her back a notch. “You’re welcome.”

He’d been different all evening, though pinpointing the exact difference eluded her. His manners remained impeccable, yet a hint of solemnity colored his actions. His conversation stayed smooth and rigidly correct—almost too correct. Perhaps that was the problem. On the one hand, his deference made her feel important, cherished. On the other hand she felt as if he was holding something back, keeping a part of himself hidden.

The change in his attitude had her off balance, unsure how or why their relationship had altered. Instead of alleviating the tension between then, their encounter in the barn had heightened the strain.

She fussed with her apron, smoothing a nonexistent wrinkle from her skirt. “My mother always insisted on starting at the beginning whenever there was a problem. Let’s review what we know for certain. You’re looking for a man named Bud Shaw because he’s a bank robber.”

“There’s more to it than that.” Jack’s knuckles whitened where he gripped his fork. “I put the wrong man in jail. If I don’t find the real Bud Shaw, an innocent man will hang. I can’t live with his death on my conscience.”

Elizabeth’s hand flew to her chest. His raw confession lent her a rare glimpse into his vulnerability. He sat stiffly, as if waiting for her to accuse or berate him. But for what? She certainly wasn’t his judge and jury.

After a moment she asked, “How can Bud Shaw prove this man’s innocence? I thought he was an outlaw.”

“Because Bud Shaw is also in jail.”

Elizabeth widened her eyes. “You’re searching for Bud Shaw. And Bud Shaw is in jail?”

Jack pushed his empty plate forward, set his forearms on the table and clasped his hands together. His somber gaze fixed on a point just above her left shoulder. “I’ll start at the beginning.” He exhaled a heavy breath. “There was a string of bank robberies from Kansas through Colorado last year. They crossed into Texas sometime during the spring. My brother’s wife was shot during one of the robberies.”

“Is she all right?”

The stark agony in his exotic hazel eyes rocked her. He must have been close to the woman for such a reaction. An unexpected shaft of jealousy stabbed her. She pressed her hand tighter against her chest, quelling the hateful emotion. What kind of person was jealous of an injured woman? What was wrong with her?

Certainly she was no stranger to jealousy and envy. Growing up she’d watched other families with yearning in her heart.

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