The Marshal Takes a Bride

Now was the time he should walk away, but the unmistakable sadness in Katherine’s eyes—sadness for him—touched the part of his soul he’d thought he’d buried with Laurette. Vengeance still burned in his gut, probably always would until he captured Ike, yet Trey didn’t want to walk away without attempting to assure Katherine his anger wasn’t directed at her.

With unsteady fingers, he touched her cheek, dropped his hand at her flinch. Why couldn’t she trust him, even a little? “I know I argued the point yesterday, but like you, I don’t want to put Molly through another loss.”

She blinked at him but didn’t respond.

He took a step closer, determined to set aside his own bitterness for a moment so he could help her understand. Katherine was courageous and good. She deserved a future free of the fear that still gripped her, the same fear that still held her captive after two years of living in the safety of Charity House.

With slow, careful movements he shifted the long black braid off her shoulder and sent it tumbling down her back. He couldn’t help but notice how her skin stood pale against the slash of her arched eyebrows. “I don’t want to hurt Molly any more than you do. In spite of what my actions might have said yesterday, I only want what’s best for her.”

An emotion he couldn’t read wavered in her eyes before she covered it with a scowl. “Then we’re in agreement. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

“Not yet. It’s time we had the rest of it out between us.” He shifted his weight. “All of it.”

Her clenched fists spoke of inflexible resolve. “Now is not a good time for me.”

“Nevertheless, we’re going to settle this. Not only for your sister’s sake, but for yours as well.”

And maybe even for his own.

Here, now, in the confines of the school’s supply closet, Trey finally admitted to himself that he’d been moved by this woman and her painful past long before she’d brought Molly to live with her.

The discovery sat heavy on his heart. How could he have feelings for this woman when his hate and anger drove him so hard? How could he be drawn to Katherine when his only goal should be to avenge his wife’s senseless murder?

How could he betray Laurette like this, even in the secret corners of his mind?

“Please.” Her trapped gaze darted to the exit. “Can’t we do this later?”

He nearly relented at the sight of her unconcealed dismay, at the wave of guilt that had begun to spread through him, but it was time they addressed the real problem standing between them. Without the issue of Molly or the little girl’s future as a buffer. Without his mind consumed with his wife.