Free Wed to the Texas Outlaw by Carol Arens

him.
    No sooner had he lifted her onto the wagon bench than a volley of gunshots echoed at the edge of town. Whistles and shouted curses could be heard even above the din of galloping hooves.
    â€œApparently the royal family has arrived,” Melinda stated.
    He would feel a hell of a lot more comfortable if her voice held at least the hint of a tremor.
    â€œYou ready, Stanley?” she asked.
    â€œI am, as long as you stay in the wagon and act meek.”
    Melinda sighed. Boone cringed.
    He could only admire her courage, but it would make his job of protecting her a hell of a lot easier if she actually was a meek little thing, eager to abide by his rules.
    Of course, she wouldn’t fascinate him half as much if she were.
    â€œWhatever happens, don’t move from here.” He thought to remind her that this was an order from her husband but— “Please, Melinda. I’ve got to keep my attention on those men. I can’t do it if I’m worried about you.”
    â€œBe careful, Boone.” She squeezed his shoulder then slipped into her part. Covering her mouth with both hands, she managed to look instantly petrified.
    Five Kings circled their mounts around the fountain in the town square, looking like a swarm of angry, evil bees. One by one, they spurred their horses, each toward a different part of town, shouting curses and shooting bullets into the air.
    The rider cantering down Main Street seemed shorter than the others, with a portly belly and a spare chin.
    All at once a door opened and a tall, willow slip of a woman stepped onto the boardwalk. Without taking note of her surroundings, she locked the library door behind her.
    She must have been unaware of the arrival of the Kings because she spun around merrily singing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
    â€œTrudy Spears!” the rider cried out.
    Spurring his horse forward, the man raced toward the boardwalk. The young woman dropped the load of books she carried. Her key skittered across the wood planks.
    â€œBeen thinking about you, girl!”
    Miss Spears dropped to her knees, scrambling across the pages of the open books and reaching for the key.
    Boone felt the weight of the new gun in his pocket. How careless of him to have not loaded it before he’d stepped out of the store.
    To complicate the matter, if he came to Miss Spears’s aid, laid flat the devil dismounting his horse, he would not be believable as a bumbling homesteader.
    From the looks of it, this King wouldn’t be much of a scrapper were he caught without his weapon.
    Not that he didn’t look menacing. He had an expression about him, as though the thoughts behind his eyes didn’t go too deep. It was as if he had lurid imaginings that he didn’t know to keep hidden. Even his drooping lower lip had a perverted smirk, although Boone was pretty sure he was not intentionally smirking.
    This one had to be Lump King, the simpleminded brother—the one with degenerate tastes.
    Melinda made a noise; a fearful keening. Boone suspected this was her attempt to draw King’s attention away from the girl. Melinda, or any of them for that matter, might not have existed for all the creep noticed.
    From a block to the north Boone heard one of the Kings shout something about gutting and filleting the doctor.
    â€œTrudy, you ripe little plum. Won’t no locked door keep ole Horny Toad from poking around under your skirt.” The man’s eyes glistened. Drool dampened his disgusting mouth.
    Apparently, Lump King was so caught up in his lechery that he didn’t seem to notice the growl building in Deputy Billbro’s throat.
    There was nothing Boone wanted more than to slam the “King” to the ground and punch the daylights out of him.
    But, curse it! He was a helpless homesteader, a ripe victim.
    â€œSir!” he said mildly, even though his temper was flaring hot. “I believe the lady wishes to be left