Brodie's Gamble (9 page)

“I’m taking a leave from the agency. Allan has dominated my time for several years and now is my chance to explore other opportunities.”

“In law enforcement?”

Sam’s bark of laughter reverberated against the hard walls of the jail. “Not if I can help it.”

Brodie nodded. “If you change your mind, come see me. I’m looking for a couple good deputies. The pay isn’t great, but it comes with an apartment and monthly food allowance. Might be a way to pass your time in Conviction while helping the town.”

Sam narrowed his gaze and studied Brodie, his face neutral as he considered the proposal. “I do understand your predicament, Sheriff, and will be happy to send any prospects to see you. For now, however, I’ll have to pass on your generous offer.” Settling his hat firmly on his head, he nodded at the three men. “Gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure. Perhaps we’ll run into each other again.”

Quinn waited until Sam closed the door, then turned back to Brodie. “Too bad. He would’ve made an excellent deputy.”

“I’m not giving up yet. Anything can happen before Covington leaves town.” A slow smile spread across Brodie’s face.
Aye, just about anything.

Brodie paced back and forth in front of his desk, aware of the dire situation. He had four cells. Three of them were filled, although Bob’s wife would be coming to fetch him in the morning. He expected the U.S. Marshal within a few days to transport David Meeks to San Francisco. From there, Brodie didn’t care what happened to the man, as long as he never returned to Conviction.

He ran a hand through his hair, then massaged his temples. The slow rise of a headache had started minutes after Quinn and Brodie had left for the Circle M Ranch, promising to ride back on Saturday. He didn’t know if he was the reason for them returning so soon or because of the excitement of what had happened today. It didn’t matter. Any visit by his family was cause to be thankful.

The dilemma he faced, the reason for his extreme concern, sat alone in cell one. Maggie said little, asking for nothing except an occasional trip out back, but her piercing blue eyes shot daggers through his heart each time their gazes met. He had to find a way to get back to the cabin. Her guilt or innocence, the difference between years of languishing in a filthy prison or a lifetime of freedom, might hinge on what he found.

Resting fisted hands on his hips, Brodie looked up at the ceiling, then let out a slow breath before walking back to the cell.

“Miss King?”

Maggie glanced up, her gaze fixed on some point behind Brodie, as if she couldn’t bear to look at him.

“I, uh…came to see if you needed anything. Food, water, a trip out back?”

Resting her hands on either side of her, she pushed up from the bed, walking the short distance to face him.

“A trip out back would be good, Sheriff. Thank you.”

He didn’t handcuff her or draw his gun. Nothing she’d done indicated a desire to run, escape her confinement in the small cell. Still, he walked by her side, ready to reach out and grab her if she made any move to get away.

Taking care of her business, she stepped out of the privy, looking up at the late afternoon sky. It would be a few hours before complete darkness fell, revealing a thick blanket of twinkling stars. This had always been her favorite time of day, when daylight began to fade. Now it did nothing for her except signify all she’d lost and how her life had changed. Shaking off the morbid thoughts, she glanced at Brodie.

“How long have you lived in Conviction, Sheriff?” She walked along the back wall of the jail, breathing in the fresh air, once more noting anything that might help or hinder her when she did make her escape.

“My family’s had a ranch northwest of here for over five years.”

She leaned against the wall of the jail, letting her palms brace herself against the rough wood.

“I know about your cousin, Colin, and his wife. There are more of you?”

Brodie chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest, letting his gaze rake over her. Her cheeks reddened at his unconcealed appraisal, but she didn’t look away. Instead, she met his assessment with one of her own, her mouth turning up at the corners as her gaze wandered over his slim hips, broad chest and shoulders, settling on his full mouth. Heat flashed through him at the look of approval on her face.

As if they both realized what was happening at the same moment, Brodie stepped a few feet away, Maggie pushing herself from the wall.

Clearing his throat, Brodie fought to remember her question. “Aye, lass. There are quite a number of MacLarens. Two more cousins visited today. Quinn and Blaine. Along with Colin, the four of us used to be closer than…” Pausing, he rephrased what he’d planned to say. “We’ve been almost inseparable our entire lives.”

They both seemed to relax, continuing their brief stroll behind the buildings.

“What changed?”

“Colin married Sarah. I took the job as sheriff.” He shrugged, accepting the sad truth. “We aren’t laddies any longer, dependent on each other as we once were.”

Clasping her hands behind her back, she nodded. “I suppose so. I often wonder what my brothers are doing, wonder if they’ve changed much. It’s been less than two years, but still…”

“How old were you when you met Stoddard?” He hadn’t meant to ask the question, didn’t need to know more about her than he already did. Maggie’s age didn’t matter. It only mattered that he held her as a suspect in a murder.

“Eighteen. I’m twenty now.” She spoke with a staid calmness, as if detached, speaking of someone else. “I wish I could tell you the time flew by, but that would be a lie.” This time, her voice held the bitterness he expected. Closing her eyes to still the moisture beginning to pool, she sucked in a deep breath.

He didn’t know what triggered his quick response—her shaky voice, the tremble of her body, or the tears she couldn’t hide—but he reached out, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her close. Splaying his hands across her back, he rested his chin on top of her head as she settled her cheek against his chest.

“Shhh, lass. He can no longer hurt you.” Brodie’s heart pounded, his chest tightening at the same time he tried to provide her comfort. He couldn’t imagine the horrors she’d been through. If Arnie weren’t already dead, it would’ve taken all the strength Brodie possessed to not kill the man himself. Feeling the tears soak through his shirt, he drew back, lifting her chin with a finger.

“You must try to believe it will be all right, Maggie.”

Her glassy blue eyes stared up at him as the faintest sliver of hope crossed her face. A hope he could encourage or dash with a rash word or careless gesture.

“Do you truly think it will work out for me?”

Brodie didn’t know what more to say. Instead, he did the most foolish thing imaginable. Lowering his head, he brushed a gentle kiss across her lips, feeling her tense, then relax against him. He kissed her again, losing himself in the taste and feel of her.

Awareness of the colossal mistake he was making sliced through Brodie an instant before he tightened his hold, fitting Maggie snuggly to his body, his lips pressed against hers, claiming her mouth with fierce desire.

Her heart thundered and stomach churned as Brodie continued his gentle assault. The warmth of his body, the hardness of his chest and muscled arms sheltered her at the same time heat ripped through her, as if she were engulfed in a circle of flames.

Brodie couldn’t get her close enough. He wanted to lift her into his arms, carry her to his bed, and lay her down. Kiss every inch of her body, caress…

He pulled back, his abrupt departure causing her to whimper as she buried her face against his throat. They had to stop.
He
had to stop. The madness, which gripped him moments before, gave way to guilt and self-loathing. How could he have surrendered so completely to the charms of one woman? A woman who’d done nothing except look to him for help?

Setting her aside, he straightened, steeling his features. “We need to go back.” He could see the slight shiver of her body as she swayed toward him. “Now, Miss King. You need to get back in your cell, and I need to get back to my work.”

The hurt in her eyes did nothing to dispel the remorse he felt. He’d crossed a line, and he could blame it on no one except himself.

Chapter Six

Brodie tried to concentrate on the telegram left on his desk while he’d been outside, moments away from ravaging Maggie. It had been almost two hours since he’d locked her back in her cell. Two hours of self-recrimination and doubt. Glancing up as the door opened with a rusty creak, Brodie wasn’t surprised to see Jack walk inside, a hesitant smile plastered on his face.

“Got done with my work a little early, Sheriff. You need me to watch the back while you grab supper?”

“Do you know how to use a gun?” Brodie walked around the desk, pulling out the extra Colt pistol. “A gun like this one?”

The question caught Jack by surprise. He quickly recovered, the tentative grin bursting into a full-fledged smile.

“I sure do, Sheriff. My pa taught me how to use a gun, rifle, and shotgun. Been shooting since I was, well…maybe this high.” He raised his hand to about three feet above the floor.

“Do you have one of your own?”

Jack’s smile faded, his gaze dropping to the floor. “No. Can’t say that I do.”

Brodie checked his pocket watch, then walked to the front window and glanced outside. “We have a little bit of daylight left. Come on out back. I want you to show me what you can do with this gun.”

Fifteen minutes later, the two walked back inside, Brodie still stunned from what he’d seen and Jack with his chest swelling. The noise had been enough to gather a curious crowd of onlookers, who watched Jack pick off one target after another. Their jaws slack, murmuring amongst themselves, Brodie knew the young man had won some much needed respect from the locals.

“Told you I could shoot, Sheriff.”

“Aye, you did, lad.” Brodie set the gun back in the drawer and slowly closed it, his mind already made up. “You’re right. I need to get some supper. When I come back, we’ll talk about your new job as deputy.”

Brodie pulled his hat lower on his forehead. He’d already buttoned up his jacket as tight as he could, but still felt the brisk breeze whip around him. The early morning mist turned to a light drizzle as he rode out of Conviction and toward the trail leading to the Stoddard cabin.

Once Jack had settled down from his elation at being Conviction’s newest, and only, deputy, he’d offered to stay the night to keep watch on the prisoners, allowing Brodie to get some much needed sleep. At first he’d declined, saying he needed Jack in the morning so he could ride to the cabin. In the end, Jack’s persuasive protests and Brodie’s exhaustion won out, allowing him a few hours of rest before waking at dawn.

“The U.S. Marshal could come anytime to escort Meeks to San Francisco. With Bob gone, all you’ll need to do is watch after Miss King. Nothing’s changed, except you’ll need to accompany her outside when needed. I should be back by noon.”

“Don’t worry, Sheriff. I’ll take care of everything while you’re gone.” Jack’s head bobbed up and down as he spoke, the grin from last night still plastered on his face. With a nod, Brodie had left, not sparing a glance at the cells.

He needed the long ride to clear his head, figure out how he’d lost control. The cold air slicing through his clothes was a welcome distraction, keeping him focused on the journey instead of Maggie.
Maggie,
he thought, a flash of pain gripping his chest.

The confusion on her face when he’d let her go and stepped away kept him awake a good portion of the night. Ignoring the dazed expression and pain sparking in her eyes, he’d taken hold of her elbow, guiding her into the jail and back to her cell, then locked the door before she had a chance to say a word. Although it bothered him more than he wanted to admit, he’d kept his distance. He refused to make the same mistake again, no matter how perfect she felt in his arms.

Rounding the last corner, he spotted the cabin ahead. It looked the same as a few days before when he’d come with Colin and Maggie. Unless there was other family, which Maggie hadn’t mentioned, he wouldn’t expect anyone else to make the journey to such a remote spot.