The Gunfighter and the Heiress - By Carol Finch Page 0,19

with far too many taunts and insults because of his mixed heritage. I know how it feels to be teased because I look like an out-of-place greenhorn in the West. Although Van is hard-nosed and tough as they come, I won’t allow you to embarrass him.”

The lecture was all Natalie needed to shore up her faltering composure. “I have no intention of embarrassing Crow,” she told him firmly, then flashed a playful grin. “At the high price he commands, I wouldn’t think of wasting my money by backing out now. Even though he hasn’t stopped by to collect, yet, I’m sure he will eventually.”

Bart snickered as he escorted her toward the waiting crowd. “I’m sure he’ll get around to it in his own time. And you’re right, he is expensive.”

She squared her shoulders and pasted on a smile as they walked down the makeshift aisle. She was ready to seal this deal that granted her everlasting independence and control of her family inheritance.

Van heard the murmur of voices behind him as he tugged at the cravat that felt like a noose around his neck. Nervous energy roiled through him as he lurched around to greet his soon-to-be bride. His heart slammed against his ribs—and stuck there—when he caught his first glimpse of Natalie being escorted down the aisle by his best friend.

Married? You’re getting married? Are you loco?

He could think of a dozen sensible reasons why he shouldn’t marry her—and only one reason he should. Because he liked her, even if he didn’t trust her. He admired her spunk and spirit. He reminded himself—with a certain sense of pride—that of all the men in the world she had chosen him.

His all-consuming gaze roamed appreciatively over her formfitting white gown that accentuated her alluring curves and swells to their best advantage. Natalie Whoever-She-Was was stunningly attractive and she had a body made for sin. He knew it for certain because he’d peeled off her yellow gown and put her to bed that first night.

Erotic fantasies had tormented him constantly since then… His thoughts fizzled out as she walked toward him with her shoulders squared and her chin tilted to that determined angle he’d come to recognize in their short but intense acquaintance.

An unfamiliar sensation overcame him when Natalie halted beside him and he noticed the single yellow rose she carried. He wasn’t sure what it signified, but it made him feel…well, he didn’t know what he felt but it was a pleasant sensation and there hadn’t been very many of those in his adult life.

“Last chance, Crow,” she murmured. “Do you want to change your mind and make a run for it?”

“No.” He tossed her a teasing smile and said, “I bought this fancy suit already. Hate to waste it.”

The grin she flashed made her dark onyx eyes twinkle and he impulsively took her hand in his as they turned to face the rotund justice of the peace who was only an inch taller than Natalie and was decked out in his Sunday-goto-meeting clothes.

Before Van knew what hit him, Natalie had said I do and so had he. Then he felt a moment of discomfort when he realized he hadn’t bought her a wedding band. But Natalie discreetly slipped him the ring she had been wearing on her right hand and he placed it on her left one at the prompt. Then they reached his favorite part of the ceremony where the justice of the peace announced they were husband and wife and he got to kiss his bride in front of the whole blessed town.

Even if no one in town could figure out why this bewitching female wanted to marry a man like him, a cheer rose up from the crowd. Van vaguely registered the sound because the feel of Natalie’s lush body pressed suggestively to his left him distracted to the extreme. The taste of her honeyed lips melting beneath his demanded his undivided attention.

A moment later, he heard Bart clearing his throat and felt a discreet nudge in the ribs. When Van broke the intoxicating kiss he noted his friend was grinning broadly and Natalie looked as dazed as he felt.

The sizzle and burn assailing his body was nothing more than fierce physical attraction, he tried to tell himself. Natalie was breathtakingly beautiful, after all. He’d been without a woman for more weeks than he cared to count. Naturally, she aroused him.

He curled his arm possessively around her as the crowd surged forward to congratulate them. To his