Free Lauri Robinson by Sheriff McBride Page A

porch, casting the front door with welcoming warmth. His entire frame went tight. The law had never interfered with his life before, and it had already interfered enough today. He pulled his horse up short. “Jake!” he shouted to his brother.
    “Yeah?” His brother reined in next to him. “What’s up?”
    “Go to my place and get my Sunday suit, will ya?”
    The moon made Jake’s teeth glow as his lips pulled into a wide smile. He spurred his horse with enough gusto to stir up street dust, and shouted over his shoulder, “Sure will. Be right back.”
    A smile tickled the edges of his mouth, made his mustache quiver as Adam turned about to search the posse for someone he could ask to take charge of Kingston. The bang of the screen door slamming drew his gaze from the crowd to the house.
    His oldest brother, Cal walked down the steps. Adam nudged his horse to step closer to the yard. “What are you doing here?”
    Cal let out a boom of a laugh. “Did you really think I’d miss your wedding?”
    “I’d hoped,” Adam said with a grin. He’d teased his brothers quite mercilessly when they both hit the altar at a full run, and he really expected the same in return. Just really didn’t want to subject Hannah to it, their teasing could easily be mistaken for seriousness. He un-looped the lead rope from his saddle horn, threw it toward Cal. “But since you’re here, put yourself to use.”
    Cal caught the rope, looked toward the horse Kingston sat on. “That’s Juan’s horse.”
    “Yeah, he loaned it to us to bring the prisoner in. He and Lupe are on their way to town,” he glanced toward the house, “for the wedding.”
    Cal looked at Kingston with disgust. “What do you want me to do with him?”
    Adam had already dismounted, was pushing his way past his brother. “Use your imagination,” he said as he slapped Cal’s shoulder.
    His feet picked up pace as he hit the stairs, taking them two at a time. He pulled open the door, scanned the dozens of people filling the boarding house from wall to wall. Glistening blonde hair and Sunday-morning, sky- blue eyes were no where in sight. His heart somersaulted.
    “Don’t worry, she’s upstairs,” Birdie said as she grabbed his arm. “Come on, I got the tub ready for you.”
    Her wide, ruffle-covered dress cleared a path through the crowd. He couldn’t keep up with responses to all the people patting his arms, shoulders, and back, exclaiming congratulations as he let her lead him to the stairs. The thought of a hot bath and clean clothes was appealing, but greatly overshadowed by the sight of the woman who seemed to magically appear at the top of the steps.
    Somehow he was past Birdie, whether he leaped over her, or pushed her off the side of the railing, he didn’t quite know, nor did he care. His steps hit the landing, and his arms wrapped Hannah in an embrace nothing, nor anyone, could break.

Chapter Ten
    Hannah melted into Adam’s arms. The way her head swooned and her heart thudded when she heard the posse ride into town had made her so dizzy, she was afraid she’d collapse. Still might. She pressed her cheek against his chest, once again thankful his arms were so solid and strong. They’d hold her up. Always would.
    Fear she might never see him again had hung in the back of her mind like a dried up grape on an old vine since he’d ridden away. Now those fears seemed silly, impossible. She kneaded his back, ran her fingers along the solid muscles beneath his shirt. Tipping her head, she lifted it so she could see his face, gaze upon his reality.
    Smiling lips, topped with that dark, soft mustache that so intrigued her, dipped down. When his mouth met hers it took her breath away with such quickness she wobbled. His arms tightened, crushing her to his massive frame as his kiss consumed her, mind, body, and soul.
    She may never like the thought of him riding posse, of being the one on the front line on a daily basis, but she’d never tire of him