The Outlaw Bride by Sandra Chastain Read Free Book Online Page A

herself.
    In the silence, the kitchen door opened and slammedclosed. Lubina’s voice called out, “Miss Josie! I just saw the sheriff go. Where are you, Miss Josie?”
    “I’m in here, Lubina.”
    The housekeeper dashed into Josie’s bedroom, took one look at the naked man in her bed and fell to her knees. “Mother Mary, when I asked you to help Miss Josie be a woman, this es not what I prayed for.”

5
 
    Later, as Josie was sitting with Callahan, he said, “You know, if the sheriff is right, you’re taking a big chance bringing me into your bedroom.”
    “No, I’m not—you’re forgetting Lubina.”
    “No, I haven’t forgotten.”
    “Besides, I have a gun.”
    “Well, between a gun and ‘the bulldog,’ I’m scared to death.” Callahan’s eyes flared in mock fear.
    Josie gave him a hesitant smile. “Your fainting episode was very believable.”
    “You’re the only thing between me and jail. I thought I’d make it easier on you.” There was a softness about his response that didn’t match the piercing cut of his eyes.
    “I sure hope you’re a good attorney.”
    “I am. Unfortunately, the people of Laramie aren’t as certain. The last woman attorney came into town to defend a horse thief. She walked up and down the streetwith a bullwhip, looking for her client, but he took one look at her and hid. Nobody in town wanted to point him out to her, so she finally packed up and left.”
    Callahan grimaced and cleared his throat. “Do you have a bullwhip?”
    “No, but I know how to use one. You don’t have to worry, Mr. Callahan. I know the law and I rely on it. I don’t need a bullwhip to prove a point. The problem is, even after all this time, no one thinks that a woman can be a good lawyer.”
    He let a few minutes of silence pass, mulling over what she’d just said. “There’s something I should tell you. I spent some time in a Kansas jail. During the war I rode with Quantrill’s Raiders for a time. When I left, they blamed me for holding up a bank. The money wasn’t found that time either, but I spent three years in prison for something I didn’t do.”
    Josie’s heart sank. What kind of defense could she offer to a man who had already been convicted of stealing money?
    “I’m thinking that you believe you can save everyone, Miss Josie. The more blackhearted, the better.”
    “Blackhearted? No. Down and out with no place to turn, yes. Those are the ones I
want
to help,” she said.
    “If being down and out is a requirement, you’ve got your work cut out for you. But,” he said softly, “don’t fool yourself, Josie Miller. You’ll just get hurt. I’m not worth it.”
    “All my clients deserve help, Callahan.”
    “Spoken like a true stubborn woman. Always right, even if she’s wrong.”
    “Lubina was right,” Josie said. “You’re a devil, beyond saving. I don’t know why I didn’t let you die.”
    “Because you don’t give up, Miss Josie. And neitherdo I. But I am sorry if I offended you. I’m used to dealing with lower-class women.”
    Josie stood and started for the door.
    “
Please
don’t run out of here screaming,” Callahan said. “I don’t want that bulldog you call a housekeeper accusing me of having my way with you.”
    “Let’s get this straight, Callahan.” She turned back. “Lower-class women don’t always choose to be lower class. I don’t scream, and you can be sure I don’t allow men to have their way with me.”
    He gave her what was almost a smile and held his hands palms out. “Okay. But maybe a good man might take some of the starch out of your petticoats.”
    “I don’t have any starch in my petticoats, and I made up my mind a long time ago that I’d eat sagebrush and prairie dogs before I’d let a man take care of me.”
    “Can’t say I’ve eaten sagebrush and prairie dogs,” Callahan said, “but there’ve been times when either one would have been welcome.”
    A moment hung between them, a connection that asked for more