Saving Cole Turner Read Free

rustlers he’s after for starters.
    Kate’s breathing felt labored, her chest tight. She sank into the chair beside Mary, resting her elbows on the oak table as she held her aching head.  “That’s what has me so scared. If I don’t marry him and get him out of the bounty business, he’s going to get killed. He’s going to die.” The thought had terrorized her every day since Cole’s return when she’d learned about the life he now led.
    Over the years, she’d imagined him in all sorts of scenarios—safe scenarios. Striking it rich in gold or silver and having a fine ranch somewhere. Or maybe he’d won so much at gambling, he’d been able to move to Nob Hill in San Francisco. Or he’d done something with his ability to tame horses, gathering a fine herd of his own. Anything but the kill-or-be-killed life he was leading. In her dreams, he’d come back for her and they would live happily ever after just like in the fairy tales. Then she’d wake up and have to face the possibility she might never see him again.
    But God had finally answered her prayers and returned him to her whole and, so far, unscathed. At least in the physical sense. Lord knew, he was scarred elsewhere. How could he not be, enduring what he’d endured, watching what he had to watch, doing what he had to do? She wasn’t about to let him go this time. She was going to hold onto him, heal him, and will him a new life. A better life. The kind of life he should have had all along.
    She looked up into Mary’s frowning face. “What am I going to do? You have to help me, Mary. My whole happiness depends upon it.”
    Mary shook her head. “He’s a handsome devil, I’ll give you that. He walks down the street so proud and determined, with a face as hard as granite, and that golden hair of his. He looks just like those statues of Greek gods I saw in New Orleans all those years ago.”
    What Mary said was true. Kate had never seen a more physically attractive man than Cole Turner. Forget that he was tall and slim-hipped. Forget that muscles bulged, even through his clothes, on his arms, his legs, and everywhere in between. He’d only had to look at her with those sparkling blue eyes of his and smile and her body would be humming with desire.
    When he’d first kissed her again, her entire being had remembered him in one exhilarating instant. Every time he kissed her now, she got lost in the passion, in the feel of his body against hers.
    She hadn’t realized it when he’d left the first time. She figured kissing any boy would turn her body to liquid fire. But five years had taught her the truth. No other man would ever make her feel what Cole did.
    “But he’s not the kind of man you marry,” Mary interrupted Kate’s thoughts. “Trust me, I know. My Frank was just like him. Running from his own demons, chasing after something he’d never have. Cole’s broken, honey, and it would take more than you to fix him.”
    Kate’s heart constricted. Mary knew his history. Knew what he was now. But Kate knew the Cole no one else had glimpsed. She’d seen the scared boy, the heartbroken son, the avenging angel.
    “You married Frank,” Kate pointed out, keeping her tone reasonable.
    Mary sighed. “I did, but I couldn’t change him. I was a widow before I even got with child.” Mary shook her head as she remembered. “It wasn’t a good life, honey.”
    “But you’ve never wanted anyone else.”
    “No,” Mary said quietly. “But I’m not Kate Flanders; rich, beautiful, and able to have just about anyone.”
    “Anyone but Cole Turner.” Kate rubbed her forehead, praying that her plan would work. She had to keep him here. Keep him safe. Mary’s husband had died a violent death and he’d been only a deputy. What was in store for Cole being a bounty hunter, practically asking to be shot?
    Mary reached over, and patted Kate’s hand. “He’s not good for you.”
    Her stomach tumbled at hearing those words again. “That’s what he