Free Teton Sunrise (Teton Romance Trilogy) by Peggy L Henderson Page A

each word. “That bullet hole proves that you were there. If Charlie’s   aim had been better, you’d be dead, Henry would be alive, and I wouldn’t be in this awful place.”
    Evelyn spun around, and buried her face in the muslin she still held in her hands. If Charlie had aimed better, her entire life would be different. Alex would be dead.
    “Charlie Richardson? That corncracker is the one who shot me?” Alex’s voice boomed behind her. Evelyn wheeled to face him. Anger blazed in his eyes, where moments ago she’d seen a spark of tenderness.
    “You deserved it, and more,” Evelyn shouted, advancing on him.
    “Like hell I did.” Alex stepped toward her until they stood mere inches from each other. He towered over her, his eyes smoldering anger as he stared down at her. His grimace was more than intimidating. 
    Evelyn’s eyes widened. It was the same look he wore yesterday just before he grabbed her. No sooner had the thought entered her mind when his hands clamped around her upper arms. She tensed. For a moment, she was sure he would shake her, but his grip eased instantly, and his features softened.
    “ Evie , I didn’t kill your folks.” His voice had gone normal again. There was an almost pleading tone to his words.
    “What were you doing at the farm, then?” She wanted to back away, but his eyes compelled her to remain rooted to the spot. The warmth from his hands radiated into her arms, and he stood so close, the scent of leather and clean male skin assaulted her senses.
    Alex’s eyes raked over her face. He didn’t respond for the longest time. When he did, his lips curved in a soft smile, completely transforming his features right before her eyes into those of the boy she had lost her heart to all those years ago.
    “I wanted to visit old friends,” he finally answered.
    Evelyn blinked. Her eyebrows scrunched together, and she shook her head slightly. She wanted to believe the Alex who stood before her. It had been so much easier to be distrustful of him when he looked like an uncivilized savage.
    Don’t fool yourself, Evie .
    Just because his clean appearance reminded her of the boy she remembered from her childhood didn’t mean he was innocent. He had become a hardened mountain man. An innocent man wouldn’t have run away, would he? He still held her arms, sending inexplicable waves of heat crashing through her. She tightened her grip on the muslin in her hand.
    Alex finally released her, but he didn’t move away. Instantly, the skin where he’d touched her turned cold. Evelyn shivered, wishing he hadn’t let go, yearning for him to hold her. How could he elicit such feelings? Alex’s features blurred in front of her, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
    “Then who killed my parents, Alex?” she whispered. “Who would want them dead?”
    Alex cursed under his breath. “What would Charlie have to gain by killing your ma and pa?” he asked suddenly.
    Evelyn wiped the tears from her face. Charles? The thought had never entered her mind. “I . . . I don’t . . .” Evelyn’s eyes widened. Had the truth been in front of her all along? “He bought the farm, and Henry betrothed me to him.”
    Alex’s eyes blazed anew. “He may own your farm,” he said between clenched teeth. “But for now, you belong to me.” 

 
     
    Chapter 7
     
     
    Laurent Berard whistled loudly through his teeth. His eyes widened, the disbelief clearly written on his face. He jumped so fast from his seat on the ground, Alex thought a spark from the nearby campfire had burned a hole in the Frenchman’s backside. His mouth expanded in a broad smile and his eyes twinkled with mischief. Alex groaned silently as he strode closer into camp. Yancey wisely hadn’t left his spot in the dirt, but his jaw dropped and his eyes popped as if he’d seen a two-headed beaver. The three other men in camp gaped openly. Two sniggered, and the other coughed dramatically.
    “A woman in your life is agreeing with you, mon