Capturing The Marshal's Heart (Escape From Texas) Read Free Page A

miss?” His words came out partway between a question and a statement. Did he dare find out what she meant? Before she could respond, he set the cup on the edge of the table and headed toward the back door.
    Outside, he ran a shaky hand through his hair and drew several deep breaths. This was crazy. He could not be responding to a woman he suspected of being a criminal. His hands balled into fists and he stomped to the outhouse. The pounding of his boots caused lizards to skitter under the rocks where they’d been sunning.
    Stick to your job, Thomas. Minutes later, Slade closed the door to the privy and started back toward the stage stop.
    At the far corner of the building, Jessimay peeked out her head and crooked her finger.
    Intrigued at her odd behavior, he walked in her direction and stopped at a respectable distance. “Do you need assistance?”
    A sly smile crossed her lips which she covered with the wave of her fan. “I’m thinking you’re the one who needs help.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Sure you do.” She stepped closer, leaving a mere six inches between their bodies. “Those looks you shot me in the stagecoach were more than casual acknowledgement.”
    At her closeness, his whole body stiffened and his mouth went dry. She’d been aware of his perusal? Had she also figured out the reason for his pretense?
    With a flourish, she closed the fan and used the tip to rub a small circle on his chest. “I see you’ve removed your vest. Smart man.”
    His chest muscles twitched at her touch. Had his jacket opened enough earlier to expose the badge? Did she know who he really was? Until he knew for sure, he had to go along with whatever her game was. Her flowery scent surrounded him, and he swallowed hard before answering. “Because of the heat.”
    From under her eyelashes, she watched him and then her mouth down-turned to a pout. “I wish I had the same choice. But everyone gets so upset when I just undo a couple of silly buttons.”
    Remembering his reaction to those exact loosened buttons, he swallowed hard. “Proper behavior is the mortar of civilization.”
    “Oh, I do like listening to a learned man.” She rested the fan on his forearm and pressed a hand against his chest. “I wanted to express my thanks for your backing me up about the window shade. You can’t know how much that means to a woman. Being with a man who makes her feel…safe.”
    His eyes drifted shut and he inhaled sharply. For a moment, he allowed himself to enjoy the weight of her soft fingers against his rigid muscles. To allow the sensations she created run through his body, to bring light into his dark corners. Then the meaning of her words filtered through the fog in his mind. Who the hell was this woman? He blew out his breath and stepped back. “Our being alone is not suitable. Your reputation is at risk, Miss Morgan.”
    “I suppose you’re correct, Mr. Thomas. But I like to give appreciation where it’s due.”
    The velvety purr of her voice filled her words with innuendo but her wide blue eyes displayed an honest intent. For just a moment, he let his gaze drop to her pink lips and wondered at their taste. Sweet like a wild strawberry, or tart like an elderberry? A man with a profession and a past like his couldn’t allow a woman to get too close. No matter how much he wanted to.
    Slade shook away those thoughts. “I doubt I’ve earned your appreciation, miss.” With a wrench he felt all the way to his bones, he turned and walked toward the front of the building.

Chapter Two
    With hands fisted on her hips, Jazzy could only stare at Slade’s straight back and stiff stride. Oh, all right, her gaze was focused a bit lower than his back. On occasion, she’d been known to appreciate a fine arrangement of muscle and sinew. And she’d just broken Miss Veronica’s Rule #2: Never let a prospect walk away . Was she losing her touch?
    How dare he! No male had walked away from her. Ever. Not when every boy in school