Free Wild Is My Heart by Connie Mason Page A

Howard. Not even Molly whose body gave him so much pleasure.
    “‘Pears like you didn’t hear me the first time, Mr. Logan,” Colt repeated with calm deliberation. “Miss Howard isn’t free to marry. I’ve already staked my claim.”
    “How can that be? Two weeks ago Samantha didn’t even know you existed.”
    “She does now.” Colt grinned with wicked delight.
    “I’d like to hear what Samantha has to say about this,” Vern insisted. He wasn’t about to give up so easily. A lot rode on Samantha’s answer. There wasn’t another woman in Karlsburg to compare with her, and he desperately needed a wife to please his daddy and earn back his inheritance. His eyes settled disconcertedly on Sam’s pale face.
    “I…I’m sorry, Vern, but I can’t marry you,” she repeated. “I’ve refused your offer before and must do so again.”
    “Because of this man?” He nodded toward Colt.
    “You could say that,” flushed Sam, hating the knowing smirk on Colt’s rugged face.
    “Is he offerin’ marriage?”
    “I… no. It’s not…”
    “You got your answer, Mr. Logan, I suggest you hightail it out of here,” Colt prodded.
    “Is there nothin’ I can do or say to change your mind, Samantha?” Vern asked tightly. “I know I can offer you more than a man whose gun is his fortune.”
    “You’re wastin’ your breath, Logan,” Colt sneered, well aware of the banker’s scurrilous character. He would make Sam a lousy husband. He was shallow, deceitful, selfish, and a liar to boot. Sam deserved better.
    “You’ll be sorry, Samantha,” Vern bit out nastily. “If you should change your mind you know where to find me.” Turning on his heel, he slammed out of the house.
    “Are you all right?” Colt asked, concern coloring his words. Sam was deathly pale and looked on the verge of collapse.
    “Why did you make it sound as if… as if we were…intimate?” Sam accused, stifling a sob. “You’re a shiftless, no good, worthless no-account, Colt Andrews!”
    “I figured I was doin’ you a favor,” Colt said sourly. “You could do better than Vern Logan. And didn’t I warn you about your nasty mouth? Cussin’ is not ladylike.”
    “I’m no lady, as you pointed out before,” Sam ground out defiantly. “Why didn’t you come right out and tell him you’re taking me to jail?”
    “’Cause I’m not.”
    “What! What did you say?” His shocking words sent Sam reeling.
    “Sam, I know why you held up the stage. You needed the money to keep the bank from fbreclosin’. Why didn’t you tell me that in the beginnin’?”
    “Would it have made a difference?”
    “You know I’m a lawman. What you did was illegal.”
    “But you just said you weren’t taking me to jail.”
    “That’s right. Not now, anyway,” Colt acknowledged. “I tangled with Sheriff Bauer while in town yesterday and I wouldn’t put a dog in his keepin’. You’re not a hardened criminal, Sam, I can’t do that to you. And I don’t have time to take you to San Antonio.”
    “What does all this mean?”
    “Do you know Ida Scheuer?”
    Sam nodded. “Her husband owns the grocery.”
    “I rode into town this mornin’ to ask if you could stay with her till my job is finished in Karlsburg.”
    “I couldn’t,” Sam demurred. “I know her husband and he—”
    “He’s dead,” Colt revealed, “and Ida is runnin’ the store by herself. She’d be glad for the company and help, if you’ve a mind to once you’re well.”
    “I didn’t know about her husband. I didn’t like him, but neither did I wish him dead. What happened?”
    “I’ll let Ida tell you. If you’re up to it we’ll leave tomorrow.”
    “It doesn’t change a thing, does it?” Sam asked slowly. “In the end I’ll go to prison, so I don’t reckon it matters where I stay. I no longer have a home. Mr. Steven Colter is the new owner of the Circle H, whoever he might be.”
    “Don’t you own any dresses?” Colt asked, deliberately changing the