Read Online 02 Madoc by Paige Tyler - Free Book Online Page B

however, but just stood there, his expression unreadable, and as the silence between them lengthened, Shayna grew more and more uncomfortable. Maybe last night had been a mistake, she thought. She was just about speak when Madoc cleared his throat.
    “It’s stopped snowing and I can hear snow plows off in the distance. We’re not that far from the highway,” he told her stiffly. “We can leave as soon as you get dressed.”
    Shayna told herself that she shouldn’t be surprised by Madoc’s words. She hadn’t honestly expected him to let her go simply because they had slept together. And if she hadn’t been so caught up her own thoughts when he’d walked in, then she would have realized that the man she had made love with last night was gone, and in his place was the no-nonsense U.S. Marshal that had taken her into custody. But she had at least expected him to acknowledge that they had slept together. Then again, maybe he was already regretting it.
    Swallowing hard, Shayna started to push back the blanket, only to pause when she noticed Madoc turn away so that his back was to her. Considering that she and the Marshal had just spent the night together, what he probably perceived as a gentlemanly gesture actually hurt her for some reason, and she found herself blinking back tears as she reached for her clothes.
    It didn’t take Shayna very long to get dressed, and it wasn’t like they had any bags to pack, so they were ready to leave within minutes. Madoc left some money on the table to pay for the damage to the window as well as the food they had eaten. And then, without a backward glance, they left the small cabin.
    They made the walk back to Madoc’s truck in silence. Shayna had been surprised that he hadn’t handcuffed her before they’d left the cabin. Maybe he figured that after she’d nearly frozen to death the last time she’d tried to escape, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to do it again, she thought. That didn’t stop him from taking her arm once they got back to his truck, she noticed. What did he think, that she was going to try to flag down a passing trucker? she wondered. But then she saw the Montana State Trooper’s car parked behind Madoc’s SUV, and her stomach knotted.
    “You folks need some help?” the officer asked as they trudged through the snow to the SUV.
    Shayna held her breath as she waited for Madoc to identify himself and explain to the other man that she was a wanted fugitive he had captured. Since Madoc had wanted to dump her off with the locals in the first place, he was probably going to ask the state trooper to escort her the rest of the way to Billings, she thought.
    Madoc gave her a sidelong glance before turning his attention back to the trooper. “My wife and I were caught in the snow,” he told the other man. “We had to hole up in a cabin about a mile in.”
    Shayna stared at Madoc in disbelief. What was he saying?
    The state trooper nodded. “You two were lucky you found a cabin,” he said. “You would have frozen to death if you’d been out here in your truck. You need any help getting back out on the road?”
    Madoc shook his head. “I don’t think so, but if you wouldn’t mind waiting for just a few until we get started, I’d appreciate it.”
    Shayna’s head was spinning as Madoc helped her into the passenger seat. She sat there trying to understand what had just happened while he cleaned the rest of the truck off. Was he going to let her go after all? she wondered. Or did he just want to turn her in himself? If that were the case, then why had he told the state trooper she was his wife?
    Desperately wanting to know the answer to that, but afraid to come right out and ask for fear of what Madoc would say, Shayna was silent as he got into the truck and they pulled onto the highway. With a wave of thanks to the trooper, they were on their way with Shayna feeling more confused than ever. She didn’t want to get her hopes up, but as they were driving down