Free Trouble in Disguise: 5 (Eclipse Heat) by Gem Sivad

arrived in a rage. Instead of dismounting and going in like any normal person would, he’d ridden his horse up on the boarded walk and blocked her path.
    “Hold it right there, Trouble.” He’d been a mite perturbed that she’d swooped in and captured one of his wanteds after he’d tracked the man.
    The name he called her made her laugh inside. This time he’d been riled more than usual. She wasn’t one for backing down, so she’d opened her side of the conversation with a taunt. “Hope yer huntin’ went well, McCallister. Mine sure did.”
    “Get the hell off the sidewalk, McCallister.” The sheriff had come out of his office to see what the fuss was.
    “When I’m ready.” Deacon had been snarling mad and turned his wrath on the Sundown sheriff. Miri had sneaked a glance at Deacon’s face while he was looking at the lawman. She’d seen a vein thumping in his forehead hard enough to draw her attention.
    “You might want to drink a cup of green tea with some honey in it, Deacon. It’s good for calming the nerves.” She’d not expected her suggestion to be greeted with thanks but it served its purpose. He’d turned away from the sheriff before the other man shot him, and redirected his anger at the true target—her.
    “You swooped in and nabbed Bennett Sawyer after we tracked him to that cabin.”
    “Try to keep it down, you two.” Like any man of good sense, the sheriff hadn’t really wanted to quarrel with Deacon. Besides his quick temper, the bounty hunter was known for his fast draw. After delivering his request, the lawman retreated into his office and shut his door.
    Ketchum had joined the fray, growling at Deacon’s horse and, not being as well-trained or well-mannered as Possum, it started dancing all over the sidewalk, making it hard for Deacon to continue his rant. The distraction had encouraged her to be bold. She’d dropped her voice to its lowest register and thickened her drawl into her best twang. She might have been a little too smug when she’d mocked him.
    “He was easy pickins, Deacon. Thanks.” She’d been chortling at her accomplishment, ready to brag about how she’d caught Sawyer.
    “Bennett Sawyer was a cold-blooded murderer. Are you stupid? You don’t need to be facing killers on your own.”
    “Heck, it weren’t nothin’ catchin’ him. He saw you fellers ridin’ on and was all set to do a flit and hide again. Good thing I was there to fetch him back to the sheriff.”
    She’d bragged about the way she’d caught Bennett using the whip, disarmed and cuffed him and hoisted him over a horse while Ketchum stood guard.
    “Now that was the hard part,” she’d chuckled, admitting the truth. “Sawyer wasn’t so tall, but he was a heavy ’un.”
    “Do. Not. Follow. Us.”
    For the sake of the thumping vein in his head she’d edged off the sidewalk and started on her way.
    “You heard me, Beauregard. You won’t get any more warnings,” he’d yelled after her.
    And she couldn’t keep her lip buttoned. “Well, as to that,” she’d answered, “our trails might cross again sometime. I’d count on it, ’twas it me.”
    She’d almost reached the hitching post and Possum when he brought his horse alongside her again. Finally she’d fumbled a cigarette and lit it, trying to look unconcerned. Orneriness had taken over and she’d puffed the smoke at him. It was a mistake.
    “You insolent pup, I’ve a mind to—” He’d been fit to be tied. Ketchum mounted a rescue, nipping at his mount’s heels, sending Deacon’s horse dancing sideways. She’d taken it as a sign it was time to skedaddle and climbed on Possum.
    “Stay out of my way in the future, brat,” he’d called after her. “You’re not old enough to shoot but by damn you’re not too old for me to turn over my knee and fan your ass.”
    “Think you can do it, just give it a try.” His threat to wallop her fanny had made her body clench and not from fear. She’d ridden away laughing at