Free Donovan's Bed: The Calhoun Sisters, Book 1 by Debra Mullins Page B

the wall and lifted down the rifle. She hated guns. Hated the coldness of the metal that felt like death in her hands.
    But angry as she was at Donovan for his arrogance, and at herself for responding to his kiss, she couldn’t let the man die.
    She walked to the door and opened it. The Beaumonts had made it as far as Doc Mercer’s, and they were obviously bringing Donovan to the church.
    Her hands were steady as she checked to be sure the weapon was still loaded. But her mind screamed in protest. She hated guns. A gun had killed her father. And she had sworn that day, bent over her father’s body with his blood staining her hands, that she would never again love a man who lived by the gun. The thrill of danger that lured such a man exacted too great a cost on those around him.
    She raised the rifle and sighted down the barrel, aiming at one of the Beaumont’s gun hands. She would not kill a man, but she would darned well slow him down.  
    “Boss!” Waving, Amos hurried past.
    Sarah lowered the rifle.
    “Boss, wait!” Matt was hot on Amos’s heels.
    “Bessie!” A wiry young man with a prominent Adam’s apple hurried after both of them.
    Sarah blinked in surprise. What was Homer Beasty doing here?
    Bessie stopped and whirled, staring at the young man. “Homer?”
    “Bessie.” Homer stopped and took her hands in his. “Bessie, say it isn’t so. Tell me you’re not going to marry this…this…”
    “Am so.” Bessie sniffed and gave Homer a look. “A girl’s got to get a husband any way she can.”
    “Well, I won’t have it!” Homer stood straight as a fence post and glared at Donovan. “I love you, Bessie, and I’ll fight for you if I have to.”
    “Oh, Homer.” Bessie sighed, obviously undone by his declaration.
    “You.” Homer pointed a thin finger at Donovan. “Defend yourself!”
    He rushed his rival. Sarah waited, expecting Donovan to win the skirmish with little effort. Instead, Homer got him on the chin with a left hook that sent Donovan sprawling.
    “Homer!” Eyes wide with admiration, Bessie hurried to the young man’s side and attached herself to his elbow. “My goodness, I never realized how strong you are!”
    “A man’s got to protect what’s his. And I’ve loved you so long that I think of you as my girl.” Homer glanced at the fallen Donovan, then turned his earnest expression on his lady love. “Bessie, my darling, will you marry me?”
    “Oh, yes!” Bessie all but smothered the young man as she flung her arms around him. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Homer Beasty!”
    “Then let’s do it right now. I’m not taking any chances of losing you.” Homer led Bessie toward the church, her brothers trailing along behind with confused looks on their faces.
    Donovan sat up and rubbed his jaw. Locating his hat, he grabbed it and got to his feet.
    “Why’d you let him deck you?” Matt asked. “Why, you coulda laid him flat without breakin’ a sweat.”
    Donovan grinned. “But then I’d be on the way to the church with Bessie Beaumont.”
    Amos chuckled. “Pretty smart fella, ain’t ya?”
    Matt shook his head and chuckled as he finally got the joke. “Better than a shootout, anyway.”
    “My thinking exactly, Matt. I’m lucky he showed up when he did.”
    “Pshaw, that weren’t no luck,” Amos snorted. “I knew Homer was sweet on Bessie. Fact was, everyone expected them to marry up afore now, but Homer never got up the gumption to ask.”
    “Amos and I rode out to get him,” Matt said with a grin. “We figured you could use the help.”
    “I’m obliged to you both.” Donovan looked past the two men to the Chronicle building. The rifle seemed suddenly heavy in Sarah’s hands as their eyes met and held. Then he placed his hat on his head and looked at his companions. “Whiskey all around, I’d say. And Amos, I figure I owe you another four bits.”
    “Yeeehaw!” Amos did a little jig as the three men turned toward the saloon.
    Sarah watched them go. He