Once Upon a Mail Order Bride - Linda Broday Page 0,131

Addie sputtered. “He’s innocent of the charges.”

“Greely is known as Hanging Horace. There’s that too,” Jack added.

“Why didn’t you keep that to yourself, Jack?” Ridge growled.

“She’s your wife and deserves to know…that’s why.”

Bodie jumped to his feet. “Don’t go, Ridge. Make ’em come after you, and you can hide before they get here. You can’t let ’em arrest you without a fight.”

Ridge folded the letter. “Settle down. I’m not running and not hiding. Not anymore. This is a chance to clear my name, and I have to go.”

“I’m not letting you go alone. I’m the best thing to an attorney you have.” Jack squeezed Ridge’s shoulder. “We’ve faced the flaming gates of hell together many times; we might as well face the roll of the dice the same way. Besides, I need to take Texanna Starr to Mobeetie anyway.”

Ridge nodded. “Thank you, Jack. It would be a comfort.”

“Then I’ll say good night and be on my way.” Jack put on his hat and left.

Addie’s face had gone white. “I’m frightened, Ridge. How can you risk this? How?”

He brushed a finger across her cheek, his voice gentle. “I’m tired of looking over my shoulder, waiting for a bullet in the back. Tired of putting you in danger too. They could miss me and hit you, and I can’t live with that. And when we have children, they’ll be at risk too. Look at Eleanor’s husband and kids, killed by a posse. Do you want that? I sure don’t. Or what if I bring the law to Bodie? He’s still wanted too. Clearing my name is the only way to keep you safe.”

“I’m going with you, and I won’t come back without you,” she declared.

“Me too.” Bodie stood at Addie’s side, his face set in stubborn lines.

Ridge put an arm around each of them. “Thank you for your moral support, but I think you both should stay here and carry on.”

Addie released an oath that shocked Ridge. He’d never heard her utter a word like that. “You know better than to even suggest that! I will be at your side whether you like it or not.” She jerked away, her chest heaving. “Hanging Horace? Ridge!”

“You can’t go by the man’s reputation, Addie. Others call him a fair man.”

She stared at him like he’d just proclaimed that eating mice was healthy. “I’m sure you believe you know what’s best for me, but you don’t. I make my own decisions now. After facing death at my father’s hands, I think I’ve earned the right.”

“That’s not what I—”

Bodie looked just as mutinous. “We’re going! I’ll quit working for you if I have to, so you won’t be the boss of me anymore.”

“Settle down. Both of you.” Ridge stepped away and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to curb his temper and not being very successful. “We’ll make a damn picnic out of it, then! Bring our best tablecloth and plenty of fried chicken. And don’t forget the lemonade, pickles, and toothpicks.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Sparks shot from Addie’s eyes. “You could die.”

Ridge whirled. “So could you. Can’t you get that through your head? It’s dangerous being away from here with me. Hope’s Crossing offers safety of sorts.”

“I’ll take my chances.” Addie jerked up her knitting and stuffed it in the bag. “I’m going to bed.”

“Me too!” Bodie disappeared toward the back door, and a second later, a slam shook the house.

Great. Now he had both of them as mad as drowned cats.

“Addie—”

Almost at the parlor door, she turned to meet his gaze and retraced her steps. “You once said that you won’t ever own me. Don’t become my father.” Her voice softened. “I will consider you in all things, but in the end, I’ll make my own decisions. You need me.”

“That I do.” Ridge released a resigned breath and pulled her against him. “I need you like I need air. I don’t want to fight.”

“Me either. I’m just so scared of losing you.” She stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his lips. His deep love for her shook him down to the core. He deepened the kiss and ran his hands down her sides, tracing every curve, swell, and valley before returning to cup her breasts.

“I can’t live without you,” he murmured against her mouth. “You’re part of me.”

Addie stepped back and took his hand. They turned down the lamps as they moved to the stairs, the cats following them up. In moments, Ridge had shut the felines out of the bedroom and