Bushedwhacked Bride by Eugenia Riley Read Free Book Online Page B

mark yet.”
    Jessica was speechless. It may be the year 1888! Heav ens, the man must be joking, but, with a sick, sinking feeling, Jessica somehow knew he wasn’t. What on earth had happened to her? Had she died? Or was she really liv ing in the year 1888 now?
    Whatever had happened to her, it was obvious Cole Reklaw believed they were living in the year 1888, and there was little point arguing with him about it, or trying to convince him that she was from another time.
    In the tense silence, Cole strode back toward Jessica. Then he stared again. Long and hard. Much as Jessica was outraged, she also felt extremely vulnerable, totally exposed to the whims of this powerful man. She knew he couldn’t really see much of her body, not with her legs folded up against her chest as they were. But the fact that they both were well aware of her nakedness put her at a distinct disadvantage. Especially since she sensed Cole was at last gearing up to give her that promised piece of his mind.
    But again, he surprised her, murmuring, “You know, you make a pretty picture sitting there, your hair all bunched up on your head and your cheeks all rosy.”
    At last righteous indignation overcame Jessica’s fear. “Don’t you dare try to compliment me, you snake. State your business.”
    His gaze hardened. “All right, lady, I will.”
    “Well?”
    He shifted from boot to boot. “The truth is, I don’t like you being here, even though Ma’s taken a shine to you—”
    “You don’t like?” she mocked. “You and your brothers are the bullies who brought me here against my will. In fact, you’re the jackass who threw me across his horse.”
    Cole was scowling at her ill-advised epithet. “That was a mistake.”
    She made a sound of disbelief. “Your humility as tounds me.”
    “Yeah, and if it were up to me, I’d pitch your butt right back into the nearest arroyo,” he shot back. “But the boys and Ma want you here, so I reckon I’ll allow you to stay awhile.”
    “You’ll allow . . .? How generous of you. But actually, I’d much prefer to leave.”
    “So you can turn us over to the law?” he scoffed. “Sorry, sugar, but you don’t have a say about that right now.”
    She glared.
    He cast her a stern look. “Don’t you go putting on airs and acting peeved. We both know you’ve got yourself a sweet deal here.”
    “A sweet deal?” she repeated, incredulous.
    “Yeah. All you have to do is to bat those big green eyes of yours, and you’ll have yourself a husband and a home for the taking.”
    Jessica was incredulous. “What gives with you people? Why do you assume every woman wants a husband and a home?”
    He shook a finger at her. “You just hush up and listen. I want you to know I’m wise to you and your feminine wiles, and I don’t trust you. If I get any hint you’re play ing loose with my brothers’ affections, or giving them over to the law, I’ll shoot you in your tracks. So I’m warning you to mind your p’s and q’s while you’re here.”
    Jessica was fed up with him. “Thanks so much for the lovely lecture. Now go to hell.”
    He lunged closer, hovering over her, and spoke in a harsh whisper. “I’m warning you. And I’ve had about all the lip from you I can abide. Any more sass, and I’m gonna haul you up out of that tub and blister your butt, naked or not. You got that straight, lady?”
    “You wouldn’t dare,” she raged.
    “Wouldn’t I?”
    “Your ma would kill you.”
    He straightened and assumed a defiant stance. “I’m not afraid of her.”
    ‘Tell that to her broom,” Jessica retorted. “Much as you and your brothers try to act like he-men, I’ve already learned that in the Reklaw household, ‘Ma’ is the law.”
    He fought a grudging smile. “Maybe I just don’t cotton to shooting ladies.”
    “I’m so relieved to hear it.”
    “Don’t be.”
    “Why not?”
    His handsome, arrogant face again loomed close to her. “‘Cause I’m not convinced you’re a lady,