Read Online Marrying Miss Marshal by Lacy Williams - Free Book Online Page B

friends and never missed a chance to pay social calls.
    Watching Danna’s trim figure out of the side of his vision, he still couldn’t believe he’d first mistaken her for a man. Even in the men’s trousers and shirt, there was no disguising her womanly form. She was just too shapely. She moved with the horse, her natural grace evident.
    She flushed under his scrutiny. “I’m not like other women.”
    â€œThere is no doubt in my mind that that is true.”
    She sucked in a breath, face creasing, and he realized how she might have taken his statement the wrong way.
    â€œWait— I didn’t mean—” Chas stifled the urge to curse. “Let’s not have another misunderstanding like the first night we met.”
    She glared at him.
    â€œLet me explain.”
    Finally, she nodded.
    He went on quickly, before she could change her mind. “Obviously, I’ve never met a woman who dressed…” he waved a hand to encompass her from head to toe “…like that. Or can break up a fight between two drunken men. And I’d be willing to wager you can outshoot me, as well.”
    She gazed at him questioningly, as if she was half-afraid to see what he would say next.
    â€œYou are an original, Miss Marshal. I like that.”
    He liked her, even though he didn’t want to. He couldn’t allow himself to get close to her.
    â€œHave you ever…” He hesitated to ask, but he found he had to know. “Have you ever wanted to dress like the other women?”
    She stared ahead for a long time. When she did say something, it wasn’t to answer his question. She nodded ahead, and Chas saw a couple of buildings grow larger as they approached.
    â€œHere’s the Early place.”
    Had he touched a sore spot? He hadn’t meant to. It seemed he couldn’t keep from saying the wrong thing around Danna Carpenter.
    Â 
    Danna stood behind one of the four kitchen chairs surrounding the small table in the Early kitchen, gripping its back with white-knuckled fingers.
    â€œThank you…um, for inviting us in. It was very kind.”
    Mrs. Anna Early glanced at her with creased brows as she bustled to brew a fresh pot of coffee. “Is there sumpin’ wrong?”
    â€œNo, no.” Danna placed one hand flat against her stomach. “I’m just nervous. I’m not— I don’t make very many social calls.”
    The woman turned and smacked one hand onto her ample waist. “I meant is there sumpin’ wrong that you want to talk to my husband about. He ain’t a thief or nuthin’.”
    â€œOh. Oh, of course not, Mrs. Early.”
    â€œAnna. We don’t stand too much on formality round here.”
    â€œAll right, Anna. No, I don’t think your husband hasdone anything wrong. Mr. O’Grady and I are investigating a possible case of cattle rustling in the area.” Danna released her death grip on the chair back. “Is there— Can I help with anything?”
    â€œDon’t know nuthin’ about any missing cattle. Here.” Anna plopped a loaf of bread and a knife on the table.
    Grateful for something to do with her hands, Danna did her best to carve slices of the bread without smashing it too badly. Judging from the slightly pinched look on Anna’s face, she didn’t succeed.
    The other woman offered Danna a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. With a soft sigh, Danna sat, as well. “Neighbors have been in a ruckus lately, but I don’t know no details. Mrs. Bailey and me don’t get along so well.”
    â€œMam! Mam!” A small girl raced into the kitchen through the back door, followed closely by a boy only a little bigger. “There’s a dep’ty talking to da!”
    Anna turned in her chair and shushed the children. “Shh, you two. Cain’t you see we’ve got comp’ny?”
    The two children faced Danna with wide eyes and