The Lawman's Rebel Bride

“I have a little over a hundred acres. You’re welcome to half of it.”

Belle shook her head. “Fifty acres is much more than I can handle.”

“I’ll deed you whatever you feel you need now, and if you want to add more later, you can. There’s another entrance to the ranch on the back side of the property. Start with that parcel. The land’s fairly clear and there’s already an outbuilding there. I can’t guarantee it’s not a complete teardown. I haven’t been out there in a while. But if it is, I’ll help you with that, too.” Harlan fought to stop rambling. “It’s up to you. You need to be comfortable with it.”

Her expression filled with worry. “Are you comfortable with it? Or is this an attempt to clear your conscience?”

“Belle, I’ll never escape the guilt of leaving you at the altar, but that’s not why I’m offering. I have one major concern. I can’t have my daughter affected by your sometimes reckless choices. If you can promise to call me before doing anything rash, I would be happy to help you start your rescue.”

“Then I think we have a deal.” She gave him a soft, warm smile.

Belle held out her hand. This time he knew enough to shake it. The feel of her palm against his set his heart aflame. A small ball of forbidden desire burned in the pit of his stomach. He wanted to seal their arrangement with a kiss. To give her what was rightfully hers and what should have been hers all along. The land and his heart. But he couldn’t. He’d had his chance. If he hadn’t bolted on their wedding day, Belle never would have faced half the challenges she’d endured. And she most likely wouldn’t have a police record. He’d set off a chain reaction eight years ago and it had deeply affected Belle and his daughter. He might be able to right some of his wrongs, but he’d have to live with the consequences of never knowing what could have been.

* * *

FOR THE SECOND day in a row, Belle couldn’t believe how much her life had changed overnight. Harlan’s generous land offer touched her more than she’d ever admit. At least she wouldn’t admit it to him. Was that petty and childish? Maybe. But she wasn’t ready to destroy the protective wall she’d built around her heart. Not only to keep him out, but to keep herself from wanting more.

Harlan was an old habit, one she craved with each passing second. She refused to give in to it. She’d worked hard to form new, less dependent relationships. None had resulted in any long-term romances, but she’d learned to value her friendships and stand on her own. And until she saw the deed transferred into her name, she couldn’t afford to get her hopes up.

Who was she kidding? She silently cheered behind the steering wheel of her truck, not wanting to startle Lillie. She was over the moon thrilled. Any attachments she had to that property had faded long ago. Or so she thought. This morning had been difficult. It was the first time she woke up on what should have been hers. Not that she’d gotten much sleep, and she lived in the stables, but it was close enough. And it stung.

She drove onto Dr. Lydia Presley’s ranch and parked in front of the stables. It was strictly an ambulatory practice, but Lydia used the ranch as home base. Breaking the news to her friend and employer about her arrest wouldn’t be easy. Harlan hadn’t been the only one warning her to stay out of trouble.

She reached over to the passenger side and unlatched the seat belt. “It was all worth it, wasn’t it, Lillie?” She lifted the carrier and climbed out of the truck. “Let’s go make sure you’re okay.”

“Good morning,” Lydia greeted her from the supply room. “Is this our newest patient?” She peered in the carrier. “Wow, she is tiny. Let me take a better look at her.” The piglet squealed in Lydia’s deep, bronzed hands. “Shh. It’s okay, baby girl. I don’t like the look of this sunburn. She already has a blister forming.”

“I’m estimating she’s only a couple days old.”

“I agree. What did you name her?” Lydia placed the piglet on the scale.

“Lillie with an i e. She reminds me of a pink lily-pad bloom.”

“She’s close to the size of one of those flowers, too. Lillie only weighs 1.2 pounds. She’s severely underweight for a newborn commercial pig. Let’s start a round of antibiotics and treat the burn. We’ll vaccinate in three weeks and begin her boosters in four. You never told me how you acquired her.” Lydia raised one perfectly arched brow. “Or will my knowing make me an accessory after the fact?”

“No, no, she’s been bought and paid for.” Belle gnawed on her inner cheek.

“That’s good to know.” Lydia smoothed a light coat of ointment on Lillie’s back. “She’ll need this reapplied throughout the day. As soon as it looks dry again, apply another layer. Do you even have room for her at your apartment?”

“Not quite. I got evicted last night.”

“To be honest, I thought it would have happened long before now.” Lydia’s dense spiraled curls bounced as she shook her head. “Where are you staying?”

“With Harlan.”

“Harlan? The same Harlan who left you crying at the altar?”

“I did not cry.” Her mind tumbled to push that day further into the past. She had relived it enough times over the last eight years.

“Oh, honey, I was there and you not only cried, you ugly cried. When did this reunion happen?”