Free Outlaw's Bride by Lori Copeland Page B

Mercer has already replied. Perhaps his presence can keep the gangs away.”
    “With the Lord’s mercy, we’ll pray that it’s so. It can’t be soon enough. I thought you’d be with Tom this evening.” Ragan lifted the basket to the cabinet.
    “No, Tom’s putting up hay. I don’t expect to see him all week.”
    Ragan gave her sister a quick hug. “How’s Papa tonight?”
    Holly sobered, shaking her head. “He’s been very quiet all day.”
    Ragan stepped to the parlor door and peeked in. A thin, stooped
    man sat in a rocking chair before an open window. Although the growing dusk was warm, a heavy blanket rested around his shoulders. Nine-year-old Rebecca read from the Twenty-first Psalm. She looked up, smiling when she saw the visitors.
    “Hi, Becca.”
    “Hi, Ragan.”
    Closing the door, Ragan said quietly, “I’ll ask Marta to stop by tomorrow.”
    Sighing, Holly stepped to the stove and removed another batch of cookies from the oven. “Wish the town could afford a real doctor.”
    “Marta’s as smart as any doctor…you know that.” She turned toward Johnny to explain. “She’s an old Cherokee woman who’s nursed the whole town at one time or another.”
    Holly frowned. “Is there enough money—?”
    “Marta will settle for canned goods. We can spare a few jars of peaches, can’t we?” Ragan handed a cookie to Johnny before biting into another one. What man didn’t like hot cookies? Unless he was being obstinate.
    “We can, if necessary,” Holly murmured.
    Johnny handed the cookie back to Ragan. “If you’re through with me, Miss Ramsey, I’ll be going.”
    Becca burst through the kitchen doorway, almost bowling Johnny over. “Papa refuses to eat. He says he isn’t the least bit hungry. He wants me to keep reading to him.” She took a moment to catch her breath. “Oh, hello. You must be Mr. McAllister.”
    Johnny nodded.
    “I’m Becca. It’s very nice to meet you.”
    Ragan reached in the cabinet and took out a plate. “I’ll see if I can tempt Papa with my mashed potatoes.”
    “May I walk Mr. McAllister to the end of the lane?” Jo asked.
    Ragan set the plate down with a bang. “No!” She carefully tempered her voice at Johnny’s quick look. Although he had so far proved himself trustworthy, she could not allow Jo to be alone with him. “No, Jo. It’s getting dark. It isn’t safe—not with the renewed gang activity.”
    Jo’s face fell.
    Johnny stoically met Ragan’s gaze. “Your sister’s right. A young lady shouldn’t be out after dark.”
    The girl left the kitchen with an unhappy sideways glance at Ragan. Smiling her apology, Holly excused herself and followed her sister.
    One look at Johnny’s dark features and Ragan felt compelled to explain her refusal. Resentment burned deep in his eyes. “Mr. McAllister—”
    He cut her off coldly, brushing past her. “Judge McMann is expecting me back.”
    Ragan trailed him outside and watched as he stepped off the porch and started off down the lane. She kept an eye on his tall frame until it faded into the darkness. Leaning against the porch column, she wondered if she’d hurt his feelings. Well, of course she had; she couldn’t miss the offense in his eyes. Perhaps he’d keep on walking. He wouldn’t go back to Procky’s…no, he wanted his gun back. Somehow, Ragan knew that gun meant more to John than freedom at this point.
    Resting her head against the post, she gazed at the darkened sky. It was a beautiful night. Millions of stars shone overhead, and fireflies flickered in the field. She didn’t want to cause anyone unhappiness.With the exception of a sour disposition, Mr. McAllister had stayed in line. Yet it was better to hurt his feelings than endanger Jo.
    She made a mental note to speak to her sisters, to warn them to stay away from Johnny McAllister. He was young, good looking, and brash. Her heartbeat quickened at the memory of his body shielding hers. She wondered what Papa would say…
    This man