Free The Lawman's Betrayal by Sandi Hampton

sipped the potent drink.
    “Who’s after you, Coop?”
    Wes stretched, stalling for time, trying to determine how much to tell him. But since Robert was giving them sanctuary, he deserved the truth. “I don’t really know who the bastards are, but they’re after the woman.”
    Caine’s bushy gray eyebrows lifted. “The woman? Hell, I figured they was after you. What in tarnation are they after her for?”
    “Her name is Naomi Brecker, Roy Brecker’s widow. He also went by the name of Roy Barker.” He waited for the news to sink in. It did—quickly.
    Several curses spewed from the older man’s mouth. Even his sons grimaced. “That bastard. Can’t say it pains me to hear he’s dead. Stole cattle from me, as well as payroll. Shot a couple of my men. He even put a bullet in John here. How dare you bring that woman to my house.”
    “Because that’s his widow, not him.” Wes leaned forward in the chair. “She’s alone and helpless, with four cutthroats following her, trying to kill her. Besides, after being with her these last few days, I’m convinced she didn’t know who he really was or anything about his…illegal…activities.”
    “And what convinced you, Marshal? That pretty face? I couldn’t help but notice she had your shirt on.”
    “Now, you know I haven’t ever let anything stand in the way of me doing my job.” Wes rose to his feet, the muscle in his jaw clenching. “But if you want us to leave, we’ll ride out immediately.”
    Another curse.
    “I don’t want to bring trouble to your house,” Wes added, “or your family. You know that, Robert.”
    “Hell, Coop, it ain’t that. My men can handle them. It’s just—oh, never mind. John, go see if that steak is ready for the marshal.”
    “Yessir.” The young man scurried from the room.
    “Thanks, Robert.” Wes gave a silent sigh of relief. “We won’t stay any longer than necessary. We’ll leave at first light.”
    “No need for that. That girl looked plumb tuckered out. Why are they after her?”
    “Don’t know for sure, but it’s my guess they’re after money. The Army payroll was never recovered, nor all the money from the banks they robbed—if there’s any left. I’d hazard a guess there isn’t any.”
    “And they think she knows where it is?”
    Wes shrugged. “The governor thinks so, too. He sent me to investigate. She swears she doesn’t know anything about it, and I believe her.”
    “Steak’s ready, Pa,” John said from the doorway.
    “And so am I,” Wes added.

Chapter Seven
    As Naomi followed the older woman up the stairs, her hands trembled. She stuck them in her pockets to hide her nervousness. The fact that she wore Wes’s shirt weighed heavily on her mind. It surely looked like something had happened between the lawman and herself. Exhaustion had her on the verge of tears, but she steeled her resolve. She would not cry and show her weakness. Mrs. Craine led her down a carpeted hallway to the door at the end, opened it and motioned for Naomi to enter.
    A porcelain tub with claw feet sat in the middle of the room. A soft sigh escaped Naomi’s lips. “That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
    “Just wait ’til it’s filled with hot water. It’ll look even better.”
    “Oh, that will be divine.” Tears misted in Naomi’s eyes. “Mrs. Craine, I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”
    “No thanks necessary,” the older woman said and patted her shoulder, “and call me Sally.”
    “You’re very kind.” Naomi slumped down on a chintz-covered chair. “I don’t think I could have ridden another mile.”
    A knock sounded at the door, then it slowly opened. A young girl entered, carrying a tray which contained a teapot, a cup, spoons, and a sandwich. With a shy smile at Naomi, she sat the tray on the table, poured the tea, and scurried from the room.
    “Your daughter?”
    “No. The housekeeper’s.” Sally picked up a spoon. “Sugar?”
    “Yes, please.”
    As Mrs. Caine