Free There All Along by Megan Hart, Lauren Dane Page B

together.”
    “They’re lawmen. You’re a shopkeeper.”
    That hurt. He was right, of course, which didn’t really negate the hurt.
    “If you don’t want me along, just say so.”
    He started to speak but a knock on the door interrupted them both. “Don’t think I can’t see the relief on your face. This isn’t over.”
    He walked past her, pausing to give her a hard, quick kiss before he moved to the door, letting Jackson in.
    “Trackers just came back. Brigands are about two miles down. They’re sticking close to the river. But they’re headed this way.”
    “I’ll make this portable.” She moved to sandwich the fish in the center of the crusty roll along with some of the pickle. “Jackson, would you like one?” She held up the bread after she’d wrapped it and placed it on Loyal’s empty plate.
    “Aye, that would be mighty fine, Verity. Much appreciated.”
    His eyes took her in, pausing at her mouth and then shifting over to Loyal briefly.
    Loyal disappeared into his room and came back out with a leather roll, which he unfurled on the tabletop. He slid into an overvest, one she knew would repel bullets and blades. His gaze had gone flat and hard, his mouth set in a line.
    She handed a sandwich to Jackson and he ate it as he watched Loyal take the weapons in the roll and strap them on.
    Blades, guns, he tucked a few magazines for his weapons in a pocket of his trousers.
    “I need to get to my people. Take the town up from general alert to full alert. I want everything locked down.”
    Jackson nodded as he ate. “Done. I’ll send runners out.” He turned to Verity. “Thank you for the dinner. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.” He smiled, reaching out to brush some crumbs from her skirt. “You lock down too. Are you going to head to your sister’s?”
    She shook her head. “No. James let you all use the house the last time we had an incursion. He sure told the story often enough. You can see plenty from the attic and the roof.” She took a key from a nearby drawer. “This unlocks the store and the stairs. Consider this my permission to use the roof and attic for your men as well.”
    “Don’t go doing anything stupid, you hear me, Verity?” He took her hands. “You see them coming and you get yourself locked in your cellar. I know you have an exit from there to the pasture out back. You get gone if you need to.”
    She nodded. “I have supplies hidden out there. I’ll be fine.” He paused as if he were going to speak, but Loyal cleared his throat as he kept arming himself, though he kept his gaze down on what he was doing.
    “I’ll check in on you later.” Jackson headed to the door and looked to Loyal before leaving. “I’ll see you at the garrison shortly.”
    And was gone.
    She moved to Loyal, bending to tie the laces on his boots. He hauled her to her feet when she’d finished. His gaze severe, hard. “You
will
remain here in this house, do you understand me? Green flare if you need to evacuate. You see two greens and you get that pretty little ass downstairs and into that cellar. Use the full locks and the big heavy door. You get yourself gone. I’ll find you when it’s safe.”
    “I’m not stupid. I won’t stay if we get overrun.”
    “Nay, not stupid. But passionate.” He sighed. “They will . . . they will savage every female in this garrison if they catch them. I don’t want that to happen to you. Or to anyone here.” He amended, but it was late enough that she knew he cared about her in a way he wasn’t sure how to process. Which was good as she felt quite the same.
    “I have no desire to be savaged. Though, should a certain lawman want to pillage?” She raised her brow and smiled. He shook his head.
    “You’re a handful, Verity Coleman.”
    “I am. Don’t forget it.”
    He hauled her against him, the blades, though sheathed, pressing into her flesh through her clothes. A reminder of what else he was. It thrilled her though she knew it was