A Bride for Logan by Barbara Goss (free children's online books TXT) 📗

love with Logan, but she couldn’t allow Dallas to kill Logan, either. She wanted to scream for her husband, but then she’d have to explain who the man was.

Dallas looked around. The buyers had all left, there was no one around to help her, and he knew it.

He pulled her into the nearby bushes and tried to kiss her.

She pulled away, knowing she had no choice but to scream.

“Shut up you fool.” Dallas let go of her wrist when she screamed. He made another grab for her, but she squirmed away. She dashed forward, but he yanked the back of her skirt, and she fell to the ground on her face. He pounced on top of her and put his hand over her mouth.

~~~**~~~

Logan heard the scream, and he ran through the stables toward the front door, with Alan just ahead of him. They rushed out and scanned the area, looking for the source of the scream. Alan pointed toward the woods, and Logan saw the sparkle of Emma’s boots as she kicked her legs in an effort to free herself. Both men ran to her.

Alan pointed his gun at the man, while Logan pulled Dallas off Emma. “Get your hands off my wife!”

Dallas held his hands up.

“Keep him covered, Alan.” Logan grabbed Dallas’s collar with his left hand and brought his right fist back to punch him.

“Wait!” Dallas yelled. “Hear me out first.”

Emma stood and brushed off her riding outfit. She moved to stand close to Alan who put his arm loosely around her shoulders.

Logan released the man. “Speak fast, you scoundrel, because when I get through with you, there’ll be nothing left.”

Dallas cleared his throat. “I’ve been nosing around town, and I know your secret. If you pay me a thousand dollars, I’ll keep quiet.”

“I have no secrets,” Logan said through his teeth.

Dallas said, “Then, I suppose everyone in town knows you married a saloon woman?”

“No one knows because it’s none of anyone’s business,” Logan said. “Including yours.”

“I’ll spread the word, then.”

“You slimy snake. Blackmail is illegal. I’ll report you to the sheriff.”

“Do it, and I’ll spread it all over town. Oh, and make sure you don’t cross her—she has a nasty kick.”

Logan shook his head. “I need time to think.”

“I’m staying at the hotel. I’ll need your answer by sundown tomorrow.” Dallas tipped his hat, walked to his horse, mounted, and rode away.

Logan turned to see Alan with his arm around Emma. “Why is everyone manhandling my wife today?”

Alan dropped his hand. “She’s had a traumatic experience, Logan.”

Logan put his arm out to Emma. “Come with me, Emma. We need to talk.”

“I’ll finish up in the stables,” Alan said.

“Take any horse you want for helping today,” Logan said. “I appreciate your help. Stop by tomorrow, and I’ll let you know what Emma and I decide.”

Logan led Emma to the sitting room. She sat on the settee, and he took a seat on a sofa chair across from her.

“Who was that man, and what did he want from you?”

Chapter Nine

Emma was still shaking from her ordeal. She wished Logan would have at least asked how she was, rather than question her about Dallas.

When she opened her mouth to answer Logan, she suddenly became choked up. She’d been brutally attacked, and all he wanted was facts? Flustered and still upset, Emma tried to stifle her tears, but they rolled defiantly down her face. The release of tears seemed to intensify her inner emotions, making her cry even harder.

Much to her surprise, Logan jumped up and sat down beside her. He patted her lightly on the back as if he didn’t know what to do with a crying woman.

“It’s all right,” he said. “I should have waited to question you. There, there.” He continued patting her back.

Emma thought his voice devoid of emotion and that only made her cry harder still.

Logan handed her his handkerchief, and she buried her face in it.

“Can I get you anything?” he asked.

Emma nodded. “My mother and father. I want to go home.” She sobbed even harder, suddenly ashamed for what she’d said. She wished herself under the rug or anywhere Logan couldn’t see her.

She felt Logan’s arms go around her shoulders, and he pulled her to him so her head rested on his chest.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

Emma wanted to push away from him, but she couldn’t because his compassion was exactly what she needed. She allowed him to console her, but she didn't think he had empathy in him—he’d always seemed so cold and heartless.

He held her for several minutes. She managed to stop crying, but she was loath to push away from him. Despite her aversion to him, she needed to be held more than she needed to distance herself from him.

“How old are you, Emma?” he whispered softly.

“Nineteen.”

“Good heavens,” he murmured.

Emma finally pulled away and wiped the tears from her face. “I apologize for the crying. Everything just seemed to rain down on me at once.”

“I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner.”

“I’m all right. I can answer your questions now.”

“Are you sure?”

Emma nodded. “Yes. I’m fine.”

“First, I want to explain,” Logan said. “I know I often seem harsh and detached, but I do it for both our sakes. Don’t take my attitude personally. If I let my guard down, well…you’re a beautiful woman and my wife. I want to keep things impersonal, but I’m not an ogre. Honest.”

“I understand.”

“If something is ever bothering you, I want you to feel comfortable coming to me. I’ll try to keep…you know…distant emotionally, but I can still give you an ear if you need it.”

Emma nodded. “Thank you.”

“Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee? I have brandy—for medicinal purposes.”

“No,