Lauri Robinson by Sheriff McBride Read Free Book Online Page A

“I’ll make you a deal. You marry me, and if you ever see me being unjust you have my permission to quickly set me straight.”
    She blinked, having never thought of it that way. Being married to one of the most powerful men in town, she’d have some control. She could make sure a repeat of what took place in Ohio never happened again. The warm, cheerful feeling filling her soul made a smile tug on her lips. The fact Adam McBride happened to be that man was the most enticing benefit of all.
    As if a tight rope just broke, her mind snapped. She flinched against the pain it caused and hung her head. “I still can’t marry you,” she whispered.
    His jaw dropped. “Uh? What did you say?”
    “I said I still can’t marry you.”
    “Damn it woman, why not?”
    His frustration sent ire to singe her spine. “Because you’re already engaged!”
    “What the hell are you talking about now?”
    She stepped back. “Abigail Christenson.”
    “Abigail?”
    “Yes, you remember Abigail, your fiancée?”
    He shook like a wet dog. “She’s not my fiancée. The woman is loco. Who told you she’s my fiancée?”
    “She did.”
    “I told you she was loco.” He stepped forward, held up one hand when she started to take another step back. “Hannah, I swear to you, I never asked Abigail to marry me. I’ve never asked any woman to marry me, and I hope to dear heaven I never ask another woman besides you.”
    Like they had roots, her feet were stuck to the ground.
    He took another step, reached out to caress her shoulders. “Hannah, please, what I said earlier is the God’s honest truth. I love you. And more than anything else on this earth, I want to marry you, only you.”

Chapter Seven
    Adam held his breath, and watched the play of emotions ripple over her face.
    Her gaze met his. Tears welled in the bottom of her eyes.
    He pulled her to him, wrapped both arms around her. “Aw, sweetheart, I know you’ve had a hell of a time. I’m sure you don’t feel there is anyone out there you can trust.” His kissed the top of her head. “But I swear you can trust me, please give us a chance. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
    Her body began to move, her shoulders shook. He glanced down, sure she was crying again.
    A wide smile met his. Happiness made her face even more beautiful and the sunlight made every golden hair on her head sparkle. The sight almost took his breath away. His heart began to race.
    “Deal,” she said.
    “What?”
    She laughed. “Deal. I said you have a deal.”
    With a shout that was sure to send the longhorns back their way, Adam lifted her into the air. She grasped his shoulders as he swung her around. When he set her back on her feet he lowered his face. Before their lips merged, he whispered, “I love you, Hannah Carlton, and I promise to make sure you never regret a day of our married life.”
    The earth-shaking kiss vibrated his body, rocked his feet. Luckily, his legs were strong and kept them both from collapsing onto the hard ground. When their lips parted, she admitted, “And I love you, Sheriff McBride.”
    That’s all it took, that simple declaration was enough to turn his muscles into mush. Holding her close, he tried to make their tumble to the ground soft, and broke her fall with his body.
    She giggled and settled her lithe body atop his in the most enticing way. Softer than a butterfly, her moist, smiling, lips brushed across his. “Adam, don’t you think we should have the wedding before we lie together?”
    He wasn’t sure whether she was teasing or not, but the word wedding was like a cold glass of water. He had to tell her about the inheritance. If he didn’t Evan would before he even had a chance to find Reverend Ostlund.
    He took a moment to kiss her, long and demandingly, before he moved, repositioned so he sat on the ground with her on his lap. “Hannah?” he started.
    “Hmm?” She snuggled her head into the crook of his neck. Tiny fingers continued to make