Free A Match Made in Texas by Katie Lane Page A

the jail cell had been all her fault. True, she had been the aggressor, something that was completely out of character for her, but he hadn’t put up much of a fight.
    “I take it that you’re not an Elvis fan, Sheriff,” she said.
    “Oh, I love Elvis, Miz Cates,” he said. “I just don’t have time for a bunch of chitchat about a man who’s been dead for going on forty years—and neither does the judge.” Without his sunglasses, his eyes drilled right through her. From this distance, they looked the color of Brant’s favorite brandy. But after being up close and personal, she knew the dark pupils were surrounded by a subtle splash of dark green.
    “Speak for yourself, Dusty,” Judge Seeley said. “There’s nothin’ wrong with a little chitchat. Especially when Brianne’s almost like family.” He reached for the stress ball that sat on the sheriff’s desk. He examined it for only a moment before putting it back. “I met her daddy when he first started his farmin’ equipment business. And I’ve talked with her brother Brant at more than a few political fund-raisers.”
    “Now that I think of it, I remember my brother mentioning you,” Bri gushed. “I can’t believe we haven’t had you out to the house for some of my mama’s Shoofly pie. It’s the best in seven counties—”
    “She maced an officer of the law.” Sheriff Hicks cut her off, his words hissing through his clenched teeth.
    Judge Seeley held up a hand. “And we certainly can’t ignore that.” Before Bri could panic, he sent her a wink. “Nor can we let a pretty little thing rot in jail—one night was bad enough.”
    Surprisingly, the night in jail hadn’t been bad at all. Cora Lee had seen to that. The gregarious woman had brought her a comforter and pillow, a dinner of Kentucky Fried Chicken, and a laptop with numerous DVDs. The sheriff hadn’t shown his face until that morning when the judge had arrived.
    The judge lifted his white eyebrows. “Especially when it sounds like she might’ve been the victim of an overzealous sheriff.”
    Sheriff Hicks pushed away from the doorjamb. “She was driving down the wrong side of the highway!”
    “Because of Elvis,” Judge Seeley said. “Haven’t you been listenin’ to a word this young woman has said?”
    Bri sent the judge her wide-eyed innocent look. “Some folks are just better listeners than others.”
    “This is such bull—”
    The judge pounded twice on the desk with his fist. “I’ll warn you to watch your mouth, Dusty, or I’ll have to charge you with contempt.”
    Sheriff Hicks stepped closer to the desk. “Contempt? This is my office, not a courtroom.”
    “As a district judge, any place I’m presiding is a courtroom. And I’ll thank you to remember that.” He sat back and steepled his fingers beneath his stubbly chin, his gaze pinning the sheriff. “You okay, son? Is the stress of the job gettin’ to you? You seem a little hot around the collar for a mere pepper sprayin’.”
    A laugh slipped out of Bri’s mouth before she could stop it. She coughed to try to cover it, but it was obvious that the sheriff knew better.
    “Just set bail,” he growled.
    The judge sat up and cleared his throat. “Now I don’t think there’s any need for that. In fact, since Ms. Cates has pleaded guilty to all charges and offered to pay for any damages, I don’t see why we can’t settle this without bringing bail or a jury into it.”
    Bri smiled. “That sounds perfectly acceptable to me, Judge. And please… call me Brianne.” She shot a glance over at the sheriff. “After all, we’re almost like family.”
    Sheriff Hicks leaned his knuckles on the desk and glared at the judge. “So you’re just going to let her go scot-free.”
    “Of course not. People need to take responsibility for their actions.” He looked back at Bri and winked. “What would you think of a little community service?”
    The sheriff emitted a growl as Bri smiled brightly. “I think that