Free Brodie's Gamble by Shirleen Davies

word or careless gesture.
    “Do you truly think it will work out for me?”
    Brodie didn’t know what more to say. Instead, he did the most foolish thing imaginable. Lowering his head, he brushed a gentle kiss across her lips, feeling her tense, then relax against him. He kissed her again, losing himself in the taste and feel of her.
    Awareness of the colossal mistake he was making sliced through Brodie an instant before he tightened his hold, fitting Maggie snuggly to his body, his lips pressed against hers, claiming her mouth with fierce desire.
    Her heart thundered and stomach churned as Brodie continued his gentle assault. The warmth of his body, the hardness of his chest and muscled arms sheltered her at the same time heat ripped through her, as if she were engulfed in a circle of flames.
    Brodie couldn’t get her close enough. He wanted to lift her into his arms, carry her to his bed, and lay her down. Kiss every inch of her body, caress…
    He pulled back, his abrupt departure causing her to whimper as she buried her face against his throat. They had to stop. He had to stop. The madness, which gripped him moments before, gave way to guilt and self-loathing. How could he have surrendered so completely to the charms of one woman? A woman who’d done nothing except look to him for help?
    Setting her aside, he straightened, steeling his features. “We need to go back.” He could see the slight shiver of her body as she swayed toward him. “Now, Miss King. You need to get back in your cell, and I need to get back to my work.”
    The hurt in her eyes did nothing to dispel the remorse he felt. He’d crossed a line, and he could blame it on no one except himself.
     

Chapter Six
    Brodie tried to concentrate on the telegram left on his desk while he’d been outside, moments away from ravaging Maggie. It had been almost two hours since he’d locked her back in her cell. Two hours of self-recrimination and doubt. Glancing up as the door opened with a rusty creak, Brodie wasn’t surprised to see Jack walk inside, a hesitant smile plastered on his face.
    “Got done with my work a little early, Sheriff. You need me to watch the back while you grab supper?”
    “Do you know how to use a gun?” Brodie walked around the desk, pulling out the extra Colt pistol. “A gun like this one?”
    The question caught Jack by surprise. He quickly recovered, the tentative grin bursting into a full-fledged smile.
    “I sure do, Sheriff. My pa taught me how to use a gun, rifle, and shotgun. Been shooting since I was, well…maybe this high.” He raised his hand to about three feet above the floor.
    “Do you have one of your own?”
    Jack’s smile faded, his gaze dropping to the floor. “No. Can’t say that I do.”
    Brodie checked his pocket watch, then walked to the front window and glanced outside. “We have a little bit of daylight left. Come on out back. I want you to show me what you can do with this gun.”
    Fifteen minutes later, the two walked back inside, Brodie still stunned from what he’d seen and Jack with his chest swelling. The noise had been enough to gather a curious crowd of onlookers, who watched Jack pick off one target after another. Their jaws slack, murmuring amongst themselves, Brodie knew the young man had won some much needed respect from the locals.
    “Told you I could shoot, Sheriff.”
    “Aye, you did, lad.” Brodie set the gun back in the drawer and slowly closed it, his mind already made up. “You’re right. I need to get some supper. When I come back, we’ll talk about your new job as deputy.”

    Brodie pulled his hat lower on his forehead. He’d already buttoned up his jacket as tight as he could, but still felt the brisk breeze whip around him. The early morning mist turned to a light drizzle as he rode out of Conviction and toward the trail leading to the Stoddard cabin.
    Once Jack had settled down from his elation at being Conviction’s newest, and only, deputy, he’d offered to stay