Free The Lawman Claims His Bride (Love Inspired Historical) by Renee Ryan Page A

anticipating your arrival for some time now. Years, to be precise.”
    “As have I, Mrs. Bartlett.” Logan eyed Bella carefully. “In fact, I’ve been counting down the days for five years, one month, six days and eighteen hours.”
    His answer did not impress Bella. “And how many minutes, since we’re counting?”
    “Twelve.”
    Bella’s lips twitched, but her eyes gave away nothing of what she was thinking. “Well, now that you’ve finally arrived, I find it necessary to speak plainly.”
    He tilted his head at her. “Of course.”
    “You stayed away too long.”
    Something like pain traveled across his features. “I agree.”
    “You...” It was Bella’s turn to blink in shock. “Agree?”
    “Yes.” He didn’t expand, or explain himself further.
    “Well, hmm.” Bella tapped a finger against her chin and studied him silently.
    He simply held her gaze.
    Letting out a feminine sniff, she tossed him a dismissive wave. “You may go now. I wish to speak with Megan. Alone.”
    “I understand.” He set the bundle of dresses on the cot with exaggerated care. But instead of leaving right away, he pulled Megan’s hands into his and said, “But I’ll go only if that’s what you wish of me.”
    How sweet to ask her. How...wonderful.
    He drew one of her hands to his lips. “Do you wish for me to leave?”
    No. Yes. Maybe? She wasn’t sure what she wanted so she hedged. “I’ll be perfectly fine with Bella.”
    “Then I’ll begin making plans for our future.” He dropped a chaste kiss on her forehead. “When we meet again, it’ll be at our wedding.”
    “Our wedding.” As she repeated his words, the bottom dropped out of Megan’s stomach. For the first time since Logan had returned home she felt secure. “Yes, I’ll see you at our wedding.”
    “Once all is made ready, I’ll return.” Smiling broadly, he turned back to Bella and regarded her with a sense of amused tolerance. “I leave my future bride in your care, Mrs. Bartlett. Watch over her for me.”
    Before Bella could respond, he was gone.
    “Well,” Bella said, still watching the door after he’d clicked it firmly shut behind him. “Perhaps I underestimated his attachment to you.”
    Megan felt her mouth curve up at the corners. “It takes a confident woman to admit when she is wrong.”
    “I said, perhaps. ” Bella flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Time will tell.”
    Megan did laugh then, the sound coming out rusty and a little off-key. “You are my most loyal friend, Mrs. Bartlett.”
    “So I am.” Bella let out her own pitch-perfect laugh. “Now, come.” She steered Megan toward the cot, moved the dresses aside and forced her to sit with gentle pressure on her shoulders. “Tell me everything you remember about last night.”
    The request brought a sudden ache flooding hot and fast through Megan, making her head spin. How many times must she answer the same endless round of questions before people quit asking her?
    “Didn’t your husband explain the situation? I can’t tell you what happened,” Megan said, her words coming out harsh. “Because I don’t remember. ”
    “So, it’s true.” Bella touched Megan’s hand. “You’ve lost your memory of last night’s events.”
    Megan nodded.
    “Oh, my dear girl.” Bella joined Megan on the cot and immediately turned into the trained nurse she’d become in the past year. She brushed Megan’s hair off her forehead, then lifted her wrist and placed two fingers at the tender spot below her hand.
    While Bella counted heartbeats, Megan closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing. She wanted to clear her mind, to relax, but she was getting married in a few hours. Her life was about to change forever.
    In her heart she knew it was time for her to leave Charity House at last. Although she loved them dearly, the babies she cared for weren’t her own. The murals she’d painted on the bedrooms walls weren’t her creations, not really, but rather an expression