Page 36 of Their Wanted Bride (Bridgewater Brides 1)

Looking at him with respect, Mr. Fuller said, “Mr. Mathis is lucky to have you. We wouldn’t have caught it if not for your sharp eyes. You must be an excellent partner to have.”

“Thank you kindly, sir,” Justin replied, keeping to the story we’d given the older man. As much as he appeared to care for Maddy, there was no sense sharing our unique family situation with him.

We returned to the boardinghouse, grabbing a quick meal of fried chicken, cornbread, and boiled greens from the communal kitchen. It was good, but I was sure our wife could do better.

Tomorrow we would have her back between us where she belonged. We’d never let her out of our sight again.

MADDY

* * *

The streets were quiet as my captors marched me across town to the tiny jail. I had a black eye, and my face was bruised and swollen, courtesy of the tall bounty hunter with a mean right hook and a sense of righteousness that turned violent at the least provocation.

Sheriff Jameson, whom I’d known since I was a little girl, met us at the door and scowled at the bruises. “You won’t be paid the full bounty,” he snapped. “It specifically said she was to be returned unharmed.”

“It’s not our fault she’s clumsy,” the small one said, smirking at me. “She fell a lot.”

Sheriff Jameson’s gaze softened. “Maddy, honey? Did they hit you?”

“Yes,” I said, pointing at the tall one. “He did upon three occasions. I think one of my teeth is loose.”

The next thing I knew, deputies swarmed the pair and arrested them. I tried to smile, but it hurt too much.

“Don’t worry,” Sheriff Jameson said, helping me to a chair. “I promise they won’t be anywhere near you. I’ll have the missus bring you clean clothes and a meal before court.”

“May I wash?”

“Sure, sweetheart. We’ll get some water heated for you.” He smiled and patted my shoulder, then used a skeleton key to release the shackles around my wrists and ankles.

I tried not to flinch, but the gentle touch hurt. My whole body ached. Between the beatings and being forced to sit still for hours on end during the interminable train trip, I was lucky I could move at all.

Mrs. Jameson bustled in, followed by Dahlia. Letting out a soft cry of distress, Dahlia rushed to me and pulled me into a hug. Tears streamed from her eyes as she pulled away, still holding my arms.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I tried to tell everyone you were married, but nobody cared. I wish I’d never—”

“It’s all right,” I said firmly. “My husband will come for me.” I almost said husbands, but cut the word off just in time.

Unfortunately, my arrest was valid. I had stolen Prince. I didn’t know if I would do things differently though. I shook the thought away. I’d already made my choices and I’d have to live with the consequences. At the very least, Celeste would get thrown out on her ear when Caleb came. I smiled at the thought. I might not have much, but I’d get to imagine my nasty stepmother being homeless. Best of all, Nathan would end up with nothing.

Dahlia and Mrs. Jameson hustled me into a cell and covered the bars with a blanket to protect my modesty. Unfortunately, sound carried and when they cried out in dismay at the scattering of bruises on my body, Sheriff Jameson came running. His feet stalled and he let out a vicious curse before turning the other way.

Lifting my chin, I let them bathe the filth from my body. It felt good to be clean again and I didn’t protest when they slid a slightly worn calico dress over my head. Thankfully, they didn’t insist on a corset. I was too sore for that.

After finishing a delicious breakfast of bacon and eggs with biscuits and peppered gravy, it was time to go to the courthouse for my trial. I thought I wouldn’t be able to eat, but I had faith. Caleb and Justin would come for me. I just knew they would. Sheriff Baker from Bridgewater would have wasted no time in telling them, and they had plenty of money in my nest egg.

I chewed my lip as we approached the courthouse and crossed my fingers. They’d have train fare if Caleb thought to look. The man was too stubborn by half.

Sheriff Jameson ushered me toward the courtroom, a gentle hand on my elbow. He’d been overly solicitous of me, and very careful not to touch my injuries. He was a good man and I didn’t fault him for doing his job.

When the door opened, my feet went numb and I stilled. Caleb and Justin were sitting with Mr. Fuller, smiling at me. Oh, how I wanted to run to them! Missing them was a physical ache, and now that it was gone, I couldn’t wait to pull them into my arms and let them take me to bed. Unfortunately, Sheriff Jameson’s hand on my elbow reminded me where I was.

Mr. Fuller stood and went into the antechamber behind the bench, his hands filled with papers. Urging me forward, the sheriff helped me to sit between my husbands, then strode to the back of the courtroom near the door.

Nathan sat on the other side, his face set in a nasty smirk. I shuddered and resolved to ignore him. A quick glance over my shoulder revealed Celeste, trying to hide under one of her ridiculous hats.

“Lord have mercy, sweetheart, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” Justin whispered, careful of his words and the distance between us. “But you need to tell us who did that to your pretty face.”

“The bounty hunters,” I whispered back. “But they’re in jail already.”

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