Shotgun Bride by Lauri Robinson Read Free Book Online

don't be mad at me," Bug said.
    "I'm disappointed in you, Bug. You have to start thinking for yourself," Kid said, keeping his voice low so only the youngest brother could hear it.
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    Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
    by Lauri Robinson
    Bug hung his head and kicked at the dirt as he followed the other three to the wagon. Regret made Kid lower his head. He hadn't meant to make Bug feel bad, but someone had to give the boy direction.
    "Ma'am." The scratchy sound of Turley's voice made his head snapped back up. From the back of his horse, the joke of a sheriff instructed, "I think it would be best if you waited half an hour or so before you untie him. Give the boys here a head start."
    Jessie stood at the base of the steps, a worried frown on her lips. Her eyes flashed nervously between him and the sheriff.
    "I think it would be best if you all stayed away from my place for at least a week," Kid growled. Let them all think he wanted to murder them. He could use the peace and quiet after tonight.
    Sammy's non-stop barking filtered through the door behind him. Turley turned to Jessie again. "Please don't let that dog out until we're out of sight either." Her eyes grew wide. Damn it. The man was trying to scare her. "Get the hell out of here, all of you!" Kid shouted. Turley's chuckle echoed in the morning air as he, the Reverend, and the wagon full of his brothers turned to leave the yard.
    Kid waited until the dust behind them began to settle before he said, "He's just trying to frighten you. Sammy wouldn't hurt anyone. Well, he won't hurt you. Can't say what he might do to some of the boys. A couple of them picked on him when he was a pup, and he's never forgotten it." 49
    Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
    by Lauri Robinson
    "I-I've never been around dogs. I've seen them here and there, but..." She shuffled her feet, her voice so low he could barely hear it.
    He smiled and said, "Come here."
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    Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
    by Lauri Robinson

Chapter Four
    Kid half expected her to turn and run, fleeing as far from the ranch as she could. Instead, tiny and cautious steps climbed the five stairs to where he sat on the porch. "Untie me and I'll introduce you to Sammy. He's a good dog," he said when she stopped to stand beside him, trembling from head to toe.
    "The, um, um, sheriff said I was supposed to wait." Her tiny fingers twisted about until they were wrung together.
    "I know what Turley said, but I'm not going to go after them." She reminded him of a tiny, orphan calf—afraid, alone, and in need of care.
    Weary, pale blue eyes looked at him. "You're not?"
    "No." He shook his head and hoping to ease her fears, explained, "First off, my legs have been tied together for so long it's going to hurt like hell to walk. Second, I'm tired, and my head hurts too bad to confront the boys right now. And third, they aren't worth it."
    Those eyes, the color of a robin's egg, squinted, causing tiny lines to track across her forehead. "They aren't worth it?" she asked, disbelief lacing her voice.
    Kid let out a loud sigh. "As awful as this may seem to you, this is nothing compared to some of the other stunts the boys have pulled. And Turley's just trying to scare you. He makes a good sheriff because he's a bully. Always has been." She crouched near his feet and began to tug on the knots.
    "Really?"
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    Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
    by Lauri Robinson
    "Yeah, really. He likes bullying people around."
    "No, I mean your brothers have done things worse than they did tonight?"
    "Believe it or not, yes." He nodded and gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "Lift up my left pant leg. There's a knife on the side of my boot, use it to cut the ropes. One of the only things Skeeter can do is tie a good knot." Jessie did as instructed. He twisted his ankles against the sting as the ropes fell away. She moved to his back and released the ropes on his wrists, then