The Lawman Claims His Bride. Renee Ryan

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СКАЧАТЬ man who had locked Megan in a cold, dark cage.

      “Give me the key…Sheriff.”

      “Ah.” Trey hitched his hip against the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. “I see we’re dispensing with the pleasantries. Nevertheless, welcome home, Logan.”

      Logan swallowed back an angry response and forced out his words with precision. “As the newly appointed U.S. Marshal I have a duty to—”

      “I know your job description.” He gave Logan a meaningful look, reminding them both who’d held the position first. “But this is my jail now. And you’ll play by my rules.”

      Out of respect for all this man had done for him, Logan relented. For now.

      Changing tactics, he appealed to their history as partners and friends. “I saved your life when Ike Hayes was bent on destroying you. You owe me this one request.”

      “Logan,” Trey began, unfolding his arms and pushing to a standing position. “You need to understand the situation. You won’t be so ready to release her once you know the truth.”

      The truth? There was only one truth. Megan didn’t belong in a cold, impersonal jail cell.

      Logan had failed her once, by leaving town when he should have married her. He wouldn’t walk away again. Nor would he allow her to rot in a cage another hour, much less another day.

      “One thing in particular you should know.” Trey cast a look over Logan’s shoulder, sighed. “She—”

      “Explanations can wait. I want to speak with her first. Alone.”

      Trey’s lips compressed into a thin line. Logan knew the look well. Trey Scott was in an unrelenting mood.

      Well, so was Logan. He needed to be near Megan, needed to know she was truly safe. “You can lock me in with her.”

      Clearing his features of all expression, Trey glanced over Logan’s shoulder again. For a moment, he simply stared at Megan. A silent message seemed to pass between them before he focused on Logan once more.

      “All right.” He retrieved an iron key from his vest pocket. “You can have a few minutes with her. But then you’ll listen to what I have to say.” The last was not a request but an order.

      Unwilling to battle his longtime friend—yet—Logan nodded his agreement.

      “Now that we understand one another…” Trey lifted his hand.

      Logan snatched the key then turned toward the cell door. Before releasing the lock he glared at the other man. “Don’t you have something to do? Outside?”

      Unmoving, Trey lifted a single eyebrow. The gesture made him look like a protective father.

      Logan remembered the other men with that same look in their eyes. He remembered their resolve as they told him to stay away from Megan. She was too young, they’d claimed a hundred times over. He was too old. She was grieving her mother’s death. He needed to make a secure future for her before whisking her off in marriage. On and on they’d argued against him.

      If he had ignored them, if he’d taken Megan as his wife when he’d had the chance, she wouldn’t be in jail now.

      Logan had to make this right.

      Some of his torment must have shown in his eyes because Trey patted him on the back in a fatherly gesture. “I’ll be just outside, my friend. You have five minutes, no more.”

      Logan nodded.

      Trey left the jailhouse without another word.

      Pivoting, Logan kept his gaze on Megan as he unlocked the door. The grind of metal hinges filled the silence between them. Taking a step into the cell, a sudden wave of helplessness enveloped him. What if he couldn’t save her?

      No. Whatever had warranted Megan’s imprisonment Logan would find a way to fix the problem, but for now…

      He opened his arms wide.

      She hesitated only a second, then a swift smile flashed across her face and she rushed into his embrace.

      “Logan,” she whispered, wrapping her fingers around the lapels of his jacket with a fierce grip.

      He folded her tightly against him, breathing the scent he remembered well. Clean and fresh, like soap mixed with spring flowers. A pleasant calm descended over him, smoothing the jagged edges of his embittered soul.

      So many mistakes to regret.

      Exhaling, he dropped his chin on the top of her head. So many choices he should have made differently.

      But he was home now. They were together. Everything would be all right. Except…

      Everything wasn’t all right.

      Megan held her shoulders stiff, as though she intentionally kept a part of herself back from him. In all the times he’d dreamed of this moment, in all the ways he’d expected their reunion to go, none of them included her unyielding in his arms.

      He tried not to feel disappointed by her reaction and focused on calming her. After all, she’d been through an ordeal. That alone explained her reticence now.

      With a gentle stroke, he smoothed his hand down her hair. One time. Two times. Three.

      At last, she relaxed against him. “I knew you would come home to me,” she said in a soft voice.

      His heart twisted in his chest. Despite her confidence in him, Logan could see where he’d gone wrong. He’d not tried hard enough to come back for her sooner.

      Easing her head back, he touched the side of her face, his thumb brushing her cheek.

      God had brought him home at last. Logan had to make this right. For Megan, if not for himself.

      Lord, may I not be too late to undo whatever damage has been done. I pray You give me the courage needed to save this woman.

      Just as she rested her face into his hand, just as everything felt right between them she pulled back and shuffled out of reach. Tugging her bottom lip between her teeth, she lowered her gaze to the floor. But not before he saw the flash of guilt in her eyes. Not regret. Not pain. Guilt. Unmistakable guilt.

      What had she done?

      Trouble rode the uncomfortable silence that spread between them. But a deeper, more disturbing current of secrets ran below the surface.

      “We’ll figure this out,” he promised. “And then we’ll be together, like we planned.”

      She lifted her head, gave him the sweet smile he remembered so well, the one he’d recalled on his darkest and loneliest nights.

      “I missed you, Megan.” It was the simple truth.

      As though his words gave her strength, she lifted her chin a fraction higher. Logan’s gaze connected with a long, jagged slash starting just below her jaw and running СКАЧАТЬ