Page 13 of Hard Bounty

The time she was hiding in the field, the law hot on her heels, and a vicious thunderstorm came seemingly out of nowhere and pounded her with hail nearly the size of apples.

Or the time she was fleeing outlaws and had to hide in a ditch, and the water rose so fast it swept her away and she nearly drowned.

That was actually the time she’d met…

She didn’t want to think about that right now. She really couldn’t. All her mind would focus on was that storm that was raging just a few feet away, outside the cave.

A fine sheen of sweat covered her forehead. Her heart was racing, and she could feel her shoulders began to shake violently as her chest heaved up and down. Slumping to the floor, she sobbed.

“Whoa, whoa,” John said. “It’s okay. Everything is all right.”

But his words and presence did nothing to calm her. In fact, her panic only increased. A minute later, the world seemed to be spinning, and she figured she was on the verge of passing out.

It wouldn’t bother her. At least then she wouldn’t be awake during this terrifying ordeal.

But an ominous clasp of thunder pulled her back from the brink of the blackout. Brilliant lightning flashed so brightly that she wondered if its fingers were actually reaching into the cave. She expected to feel the zap of its fiery current any moment. More thunder rang out. They were already back against the rock wall as far as they could go. The cave just wasn’t that deep. Was it enough to protect her?

Or what if water rushed in and swept her away just like it had that time in the ditch?

What if…

“You’re going to be fine,” John said, sitting down beside her.

A moment later, she felt his arm go around her shoulders, bringing with it a bit of relief. She placed her head on his shoulder and sobbed.

Little by little, her anxiety was replaced by a sense of calm. Thirty minutes later, she felt so peaceful as she clung to him, that the terror she’d experienced was only a distant memory.

She knew it wouldn’t last. He’d probably just comforted her so he wouldn’t have to listen to her breakdown. Being trapped in a small cave with a hysterical, wailing woman was the last place he wanted to be.

His motivations didn’t matter, though. It felt wonderful. And for the briefest of moments, Mary knew what it was like to have a man who truly cared about her. A man who would protect her.

A man who loved her.

It wasn’t real, she reminded herself.

But it sure felt wonderful.

Chapter Nine

John was disappointed in himself.

He shouldn’t have held Mary like that. It was a breach of professionalism. He was a duly sworn lawman, for goodness’ sake. Deputy U.S. Marshals couldn’t just latch onto the first pretty woman they come across. Especially when that woman happened to be in their custody!

This seemed different, though. It wasn’t a usual circumstance. He could tell she was truly in distress. That hadn’t been some little act trying to garner sympathy. She’d been genuinely terrified. And he didn’t care what a woman was accused of. He wouldn’t just stand idly by and watch her suffer.

It was over now, though, so he needed to pull away.

While he still could.

As tough as he was, with that sheer stubbornness and determination that made him a damn good lawman, even he couldn’t resist such a beautiful woman forever. He feared that if he didn’t call this thing off right now, he’d fall for her.

More than he already was.

So, he stood and looked down at her.

“Worst of the storm has moved on.”

She looked up at him, her cheeks puffy and eyes red, and asked, “How long have we been in here?”

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