Read Online Lauri Robinson by Sheriff McBride - Free Book Online Page A

Perez’s place. Juan and his wife stepped off the porch before the dirt settled. “Sheriff, man stole Sebastian,” Juan said in broken English.
    Adam knew Sebastian was the Perez’s prime stallion. “When?”
    Juan shrugged, glanced to his wife, Lupe. “I not here.”
    “Which way did he go?”
    Lupe pointed north.
    Adam swung his gelding around and spurred it into a gallop. Kingston wasn’t the smartest—he still traveled on the main road.
    They were no more than half a mile from the Perez place when Sebastian came thundering down the road. The horse was rider-less and making a beeline for home. The posse separated, let the animal pass without disruption.
    “Spread out,” he waved both hands to the posse. “Watch the tall grass, he’s not far away.”
    A short time later a shot rang out. Men all around him drew their guns. “Hold up!” Adam shouted and scanned where the shot had come from. He blinked against disbelief. The man was an imbecile.
    Covered from head to toe in dust and holding a small derringer, Nathaniel Kingston stepped onto the road in front of them. Did the man really think he could hold off a posse with a derringer? The gun didn’t project a bullet more than eight feet. “Put it down, Kingston!” he shouted for good measure.
    “I demand you give me one of your horses!” Kinston waved the little gun about. “Then wait right here until I’m out of sight!”
    Half of the posse broke out in laughter.
    Adam sent them a scowl. When they controlled their mirth, he leaned forward, crossed one arm over his saddle horn. “No one is going to give you a horse, Kingston. Put the gun down.”
    “You have no reason to be pursing me, Sheriff, I did nothing wrong. Even as we speak there is a lawyer traveling from Ohio to set everything straight.” Nathaniel pointed the weapon directly at Adam.
    He didn’t even flinch. “I’m afraid your wrong, Kingston. I can now add horse theft to your list of crimes.”
    “I bought that horse, fair and square, ask that man.” Kingston pointed at Fred Alfords.
    Adam glanced toward the man.
    Fred nodded, a disgruntled frown twisted his wide jaw. “He did pay for the horse.”
    Adam rolled his eyes to the sky. “Maybe the first one, but I know Juan didn’t sell Sebastian.”
    “If you are referring to that devil that threw me, you can’t prove anything. The horse is no longer in my possession.”
    Adam shook his head, wondering how a man so stupid ever lived past twenty. “I have all the proof I need, now put the gun down.”
    “Never! I’ll go down in a blaze of glory first!” Kingston shouted.
    “Oh, for Christ’s sake,” Adam muttered. Years of practice gave him the skill to draw his gun and fire before another second clicked by. The derringer flew out of Kingston’s hand, leaving the man staring at his empty fingers.

Chapter Nine
    Dressed from head to toe in cream-colored silk that was softer than a baby chick, Hannah exited her room. The sun was just starting to set, highlighting the fact it would soon be evening. Trying to keep her frazzled nerves in check, she pressed a hand to her churning stomach and walked down the stairs. At the bottom, she turned toward the parlor.
    The boys, Tom and Joe, sat on the small divan. Most people couldn’t tell one from the other. Their dark hair, brown eyes, and gangly bodies were very similar, but she had always been able to tell them apart. Even though they were identical twins, she could see the slight differences in their features and in the twenty-one years they had been confusing people, they’d never fooled her. She tried to pull her lips up in a smile as they stood and waited for her to enter the room. Drawing in a deep breath, she moved forward. “Hello.”
    “Hannah, is it true? Are you really marrying the Sheriff?” Tom asked before she was even through the doorway.
    “Does he know about you? About us?” Joe glanced about the room as if he was expecting to be arrested at any moment.
    “Sit