Shotgun Bride by Lauri Robinson Read Free Book Online Page A

started to cut the many strands around his arms and chest. The bindings fell away.
    "Ah, it feels like I've just been sprung from jail. Here, give me the knife, I'll get the ones around my knees." When the last rope fell away, he slipped the knife back into its leather holder, rose to his feet, and stepped away from the mass of jute. No wonder he thought of her as a girl, the top of her head didn't even come up to his shoulders. He smiled down at the cherub face looking up. Not quite sure what else to do, he held out a hand. "Hello Jessie, I'm Kid Quinter, nice to meet you."
    A guarded smile touched her cheeks as a tiny giggle escaped her lips. She put her hand in his. "Hello, Kid Quinter, I'm happy to meet you, too."
    His large hand engulfed her tiny one. The little fingertips were ice cold. Kid tightened his hold, hoping his warm palm would send heat into hers. "Happy are you?" Her face pulled into a grimace. "Considering the rest of your brothers, yes, I'm happy to meet you." 52
    Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
    by Lauri Robinson
    Kid threw his head back and laughed. A deep, full laugh that felt good. "I think that's one of the most honest things I've ever heard, Jessie. Thank you."
    "You're welcome," she said, her voice sounding stronger than it had all night.
    Kid pulled her hand. "Come on, I gotta let Sammy out before he knocks the door down." He led her across the porch. "Like I said, he's a good dog. You just have to let him know who the boss is. He has the boys buffaloed into believing he's a killer, and I don't see a reason to change their way of thinking." He pushed the door open, turned to the dog, and said, "Sammy, sit," before he tugged Jessie into the house.
    His hand, warm and big, pulled, leaving Jessie no choice but to follow. She stepped over the threshold and froze. It was big, black, and huge, white fangs stuck out below a long nose. The perfect image she had of the wolves she often heard howling deep in the night. A low growled filled the air. Without a second thought, she jumped sideways, hiding herself behind Kid's back. Her knees knocked together like a hammer on a nail head.
    The material of his shirt rubbed against her cheek as his shoulder blade moved up and down and the rumble of his chuckle filled her ear before he said, "Sammy, you scared her. Come here, be a good dog and say hello to Jessie." She didn't want to move, but Kid had a hold of her hand, and he used it to haul her out of hiding. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she went, but wasn't in the least eager to face the beast. He knelt down to pat the dog on the head. A bushy 53
    Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
    by Lauri Robinson
    tail thumped against the floor. Her hand, pulled by his, brushed against the tip of the dog's nose. Nostrils flared as they sniffed her skin. If Kid hadn't held her hand still, she would have pulled it back, away from the wet nose.
    "She's going to be living here, you better be nice to her or you'll answer to me," Kid said.
    Her gaze went from the dog to the man kneeling beside her. The huge bandage tied around his head made him look like a little boy, and pulled her thoughts away from the big dog for a moment. A smiled tugged at the sides of her lips.
    "What?" he said.
    "What, what?" she asked.
    "You're staring at me. No, you're laughing at me." Dark brows pulled together as his hand went to the top of his head. He patted the white strips of cloth. "Ah, shit, don't tell me she tied it with a big, billowing bow." Jessie nodded. A giggle escaped her lips. She clamped her mouth shut, fearful of offending him.
    Kid chuckled. One of his dark eyes winked. "I bet it looks real good."
    A warm, silly feeling crept into her cheeks. She couldn't help but smile and nod in agreement.
    The hand still holding hers tightened, sending something balmy and tingly to flow up her arm. The sun, rising over the horizon, streamed in through the open front door to land on them. She felt it on her face and saw it