Charlene Sands by The Law Kate Malone Read Free Book Online Page A

She’d be going against the law. The town council—”
    “She’s aware of the ordinance.” Cole leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs in a casual gesture he surely wasn’t feeling right about now. “I think she’ll come around.” He had to make sure of it. Cole didn’t need any trouble with the townsfolk. Not when he was up for reelection next fall. Her defying the ordinance would put him in a real uncomfortable spot. And Kate too would get hurt. That was the very last thing he wanted to have happen.
    Edward narrowed his eyes and gestured with a finger. “See that she does, Cole. Compromise is for weaklings.”
    Cole didn’t like the way this conversation had turned. More than anyone else, Cole Bradshaw knew what his duty was. He took being sheriff of the county seriously. The only two things that really mattered to him were raising his daughter right and being the best damn sheriff the county had ever seen. He didn’t need Edward Wesley dictating to him, bank president or not, no matter how much influence the older man had over the town. “I took an oath to uphold the law, Edward. It’s what I plan to do.”
    Patricia entered then, holding a platter of large crystal bowls filled with peach cobbler and a generous dollop of cream on each one. “Here we go,” she said cheerfully. “The coffee will be ready in one minute.”
    Cole rose to help, taking the platter from her hands. He set it down carefully on the table.
    Patricia began serving the dessert. Coming up close to Cole, she spoke into his ear. “Meggie gave you the biggest scoop of cream. I think she likes her daddy…just as much as I do,” she whispered.
    Cole took the offered dish, casting Patricia a small smile. He waited for her to finish serving before taking his seat again, a gnawing ache growing in his gut. He liked Patricia, but hell, he wasn’t…ready, to make her a commitment.
    Thoughts of Kate Malone pushed into his head again. Would he ever get the feel of her body or the taste of her sweet lips off his mind? He wasn’t going to allow her to run roughshod over his town, but damn it, the woman got his insides churning.
    Cole forced himself to pay attention to Patricia. “Meggie was a big help in the kitchen, Cole,” she said pleasantly. “Next time you bring her over, I’ll show her how a lady sets a fine-looking table.”
    Cole told Patricia that was a good idea, but out of the corner of his eye, he could see his little scamp of a daughter making a face. He’d better get her home right quick, he thought wryly.
    Cole finished the peach cobbler and took a last sip of coffee before pushing his dish aside. “That was delicious. Patricia, Mr. Wesley, thank you both for your hospitality. I sure do appreciate you having us over for dinner, but I’m afraid it’s time for us to go.” Cole stood and pulled out Meggie’s chair. “Ready, Megpie?”
    Meggie jumped down and took his hand. “Ready.”
    Patricia bit her lip, rising slowly from the table. “Cole, why don’t you stay a little longer? Father wanted to show Meggie his checkerboard. And…and I thought you and I could take a little stroll.”
    “That’s right. I learned to play checkers when I was just about Meggie’s age. I bet she’d be good, too,” Edward Wesley added.
    “That’s a very nice offer, but I’ve got to get Meggie to bed. It’s getting late.”
    “Another time perhaps?” Patricia said, smiling graciously.
    Cole nodded. “Another time.”
    Meggie yawned then, a big, wide opening of her little mouth. She rubbed her eyes too. His four-year-olddaughter never tired this early. Most nights, she complained she didn’t want to bed down at all.
    Cole didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh. There were too many doggone cunning females in the room for him. He thanked Edward and Patricia again for their hospitality and hightailed it out of the house.
    Two days later, as Cole strode down the street heading for the jail, he noticed Kate, deep in