Read Online Her Sheriff Bodyguard by Lynna Banning - Free Book Online

right back.” He stood and crossed the room to Will’s table, spun the chair backward and straddled it. The two men bent their heads together and spoke so quietly she couldn’t understand a word.
    When Hawk returned, his eyes were narrowed and his mouth was pressed into an unsmiling line. Fernanda patted his hand. “You fight with your friend, señor ?”
    â€œHe’s not exactly a friend,” Hawk growled. “We rode together some years back.”
    â€œYou do not like each other no more?”
    â€œOh, we like each other well enough. It’s just that he’s too damn busy with the mayor’s daughter to escort you on to Idaho.”
    â€œAnd you wish he would,” Caroline said quietly. “Because you do not want to.” She could not blame him one bit. He’d risked his life, endured a bullet wound and was obviously disgusted with her cause. And her. But even so, she wanted...
    What did she want?
    She wanted to feel safe, protected by this man. She was a little in awe of him, even a little fluttery deep inside when he looked at her. She liked being near him.
    But of course he would want to return to his home in Smoke River.
    â€œAre you married?” she blurted out.
    He settled his green eyes on hers and in their depths she saw an unnerving combination of pain and hunger. “Was once. She was killed.” Then the curtain dropped over his expression, shutting her out.
    For the second time in the last twenty-four hours, Caroline could think of nothing to say.
    â€œGot any more questions?” He signaled for the waitress.
    She shook her head, feeling her color rise.
    â€œGood, because I’ve got a couple. First, what the hell are you doing this speech stuff for?”
    â€œI told you, I am campaigning to give women the vote.”
    â€œNo, I mean why are you doing this? Why are you risking your life to make speeches?”
    Caroline exchanged a look with Fernanda. She could evade the question. Prevaricate, or just plain lie. Or she could tell him the truth. Before she could open her mouth, he spoke again.
    â€œI know your father bullied your mother,” he said. “You explained that in your speech at the church in Gillette Springs. Is that it?”
    â€œN-no. At least that’s not all of it.” Under the high collar of her blue dress she felt her throat close.
    The waitress approached, pad and pencil in her hand. Rivera ordered steak, rare. Fernanda ordered the same. Caroline couldn’t make a sound.
    â€œYou hungry?” he murmured.
    She nodded, her cheeks burning.
    â€œShe’ll have a steak, medium rare. And some...tea?”
    Again she nodded. Fernanda touched her hand. “ Hija , you do not need to answer the questions. Does she, señor ?”
    Hawk shook his head. “No, she doesn’t. Everyone’s got a right to a private life.”
    â€œEven you, señor ,” Fernanda pointed out with a twinkle in her black eyes. “But you will tell us why you look angry when you talk to Mr. Paine?”
    Hawk blew out a long breath. “I want—wanted—Will Paine to take you on to Idaho.”
    â€œAnd he cannot,” Fernanda pressed. “So you are angry with him. And that is because?”
    Hawk couldn’t begin to answer that question. Because he wanted to go back to Smoke River, back to peace and quiet in the little town he’d sought out to heal the festering wound in his soul. Because he didn’t want to be responsible ever again for someone that meant anything to him.
    Aw, hell, why not admit it. Because he didn’t want to see Caroline get hurt.
    Supper didn’t improve his outlook. The steak was fork-tender, the apple pie was succulent and the coffee hot and strong, but still everything seemed wrong. Out of kilter. He’d lugged his saddlebag with him into the hotel, but inside he had only one clean shirt and a pair of drawers, plus three boxes of cartridges and a