Free The Lawman's Betrayal by Sandi Hampton Page B

don’t know. Wes thinks they’re some of Roy’s gang and that they think I know where the stolen money is, but I don’t. I swear I don’t.” Despite her resolve to not weep, hot tears slid down Naomi’s cheeks.
    “There, there, honey. Don’t get upset. It’s all going to work out. You’ll see. Wes won’t let anything happen to you.”
    A knock sounded at the door. Sally opened it and then stepped aside. Two young boys entered, both carrying pails of hot water. After they poured the water into the tub, they dashed out the door without a backward glance.
    “Now,” Sally said, “I’m going to stop asking questions and get out of here so you can bathe. You’ll find soap and towels in that cabinet.”
    “Thank you so much.”
    “I could scare up a nightgown if you like. Robert’s daughter Elizabeth left some things here after she got married. She’s about your size.”
    “That would be wonderful.”
    “In fact, I’ll pack some of them for you to take with you. We women are strange creatures. We can face almost anything with clean clothes.” She pointed at a door Naomi hadn’t noticed. “You can sleep in there. Make yourself at home. Good night, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Naomi smiled her thanks. Then she was alone. She stripped off her dirty clothing. After fetching soap that smelled of roses and a plush towel, she climbed into the tub. As she sank into the hot water, a sigh slipped from her lips.
    Heavenly.
    The exhaustion slipped from her shoulders. She closed her eyes and let her worries wash away with the trail dust. After several long moments, she bathed, stepped out of the tub, and dried. After wrapping the towel around her, she picked up the lamp and walked to the door. As she opened, it squeaked loudly.
    The bed, covered in a multi-colored quilt, beckoned invitingly. A lacy nightgown of baby blue lay on the bed. She shrugged off the towel and hung it over the back of a chair. With a sigh, she pulled the nightgown over her head, fingering the soft material. It’d been three long years since she’d slept in something so fine. She smiled, threw the covers back, and blew out the lamp.
    As she climbed into the soft bed, she wondered what Wes was doing. Had he thought of her? Sally’s words echoed in her mind. He’s married to his job. He’s married to his job. He’s married to his job. Not that he wanted to marry her. Not that he loved her, but deep in her heart, Naomi knew her feelings for the lawman had run the gamut of emotion. She’d started out hating him. That had changed to gratitude and respect.
    Then it had happened. She didn’t know exactly when she’d started loving him, but somewhere along the line…
    Sleep crowded in on her, but she fought it for fear the nightmare would come again. Finally, exhaustion won out, and sleep claimed her. When it did, the nightmare came—immediately. As the gunshot sounded in her unconsciousness, the smell of death was real and threatened to gag her. Roy’s bloody body appeared in her mind’s eye, as well as that of the dead woman who was supposed to have been his mistress. The man on the stairs stepped closer, his evil aura choking her. She could almost see his face. She screamed soundlessly. His image vanished.
    Naomi thrust the bed covers aside and jumped out of bed. Her breath came in ragged gasps. A few steps took her to the window. She yanked up the sash and gulped in the cool night air.
    Movement by the barn caught her attention. She sucked in a scream. Had the outlaws intruded into her safe haven? Could it be one of the guards? The man stepped out into the open. Silhouetted against the moonlight sky, she could make out the man’s identity. Wes leaned against the corral and lit a cigarette.
    So he couldn’t sleep either.
    Why?
    Had Mr. Craine been unhappy that Wes had brought her—and danger—to his ranch and family? A sudden urge to talk to the lawman attacked her. She tried to talk herself out of it, but soon found herself