The Lawman's Rebel Bride

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Harlan closed the short distance between them and gripped both of her shoulders. “Breathe, Belle, breathe.”

She didn’t want to look up at him and see the pity he must feel for her. “I’m breathing.” She turned away and grabbed the pet carrier from the front seat and held it up. “Isn’t that right, Lillie? We’re both breathing.”

“The apartment’s yours. It’s been a few weeks since I last cleaned up there, so there might be a few cobwebs. Ivy likes to use it as a playhouse.”

They finished unloading both vehicles and set the animals up in two of the stalls. Olive bounced around like an overexcited child, and Samson, the two-week-old black lamb, settled right in.

“This will work out well. Olive will be able to go outside to graze and I need to introduce Samson to grass soon to activate his rumen. I prefer grazing to only giving them hay.”

“Rumen?”

“It’s a large fermentation vat where bacteria and other microorganisms live. Sheep and goats are ruminant animals. Like cows. They have a four-chamber stomach.”

“Okay, what’s with the duck?” Harlan sat on a hay bale and watched the large white bird waddle down the stable corridor, squawking at the horses as she passed. “She seems old enough to be on her own. Why do you have her?”

“Imogene can’t fly, so she’s a—”

“Sitting duck. I get it now.” Harlan smiled. “She can’t defend herself.”

“Lydia—Dr. Presley—is working with me to help create a nonprofit animal rescue center for injured and abandoned animals.” Belle picked up Imogene and sat next to Harlan on the hay bale. “The main goal is to foster them until they find their forever homes. Finding and affording the land is the biggest obstacle. I’m hoping I can convince one of the larger ranches to donate some acreage, but I need to file for my nonprofit first. My, um, police record doesn’t help matters.”

“Then why do you continue to put yourself in that situation?” Harlan asked.

“When you work for a large-animal vet, you amass an extensive network of animal hospitals, foster homes and volunteers willing to help give animals a second chance. I’m sure you experience the same thing on a human level. For each success story, there are many that never make it. When someone calls me, or Lydia, we go. We’d love to navigate through the proper channels every time. And sometimes we can. Other times it’s an emergency. If Lydia gets arrested, she can lose her veterinary license. I have nothing for them to take.”

Harlan reached out and petted the top of the duck’s head. “Everyone has their passion.”

“Yours is law enforcement. Mine’s animal rescue. Sometimes that means we butt heads.” Belle stood and placed Imogene inside the stall with Olive. “These two love to snuggle together at night. Care to show me upstairs?”

Harlan led Belle to the studio apartment. It was larger than the one-bedroom she’d just been evicted from. It was nicer than she remembered. Little frilly touches here and there. She wondered if they had been Molly’s doing or possibly his mom’s or Ivy’s.

She’d never met his daughter before, only seen her from afar around town. It had surprised her when Harlan had told her Ivy wanted her to move in. It was one more reason not to stay in the main house. She didn’t want to involve Ivy in their fake marriage drama any more than she already was.

“I think I’m going to turn in. It’s been a long, interesting day.” Belle smiled up at him, not sure what the proper protocol was for saying good-night. They may be husband and wife, but there was no way they’d ever consummate the marriage.

Harlan jammed his hands in the front pockets of his jeans, eliminating the awkward hug she wanted to avoid. “There’s plenty of room in the barn behind the stables. We can pick up the rest of your things tomorrow and store them in there for the time being. If you need anything, just ask.”

“Thank you. I think I’ve gone above and beyond my favor quota for the week.”

Harlan laughed. “It’s okay. I’ve always said your heart is in the right place. How you go about doing certain things is a little more questionable. I know you mean well. Please promise me something.”

“Yeah, yeah. Stay out of trouble.” Belle smiled. “I promise to try.”

Harlan nodded. “That’s all I ask. I’ll leave you and Lillie to it. Good night, Belle.”

“Good night, Harlan.”

Belle watched him shut the door behind him as he left the room. He hadn’t even tried to hug or kiss her. It was exactly what she wanted. Any chance of a future they had together had shattered into a million shards of glass long ago.

Belle ran to the door, threw it open and bounded down the stairs, hoping to catch him. By the time she made it to the stable entrance, he was already halfway up the porch steps. As he reached the top, he hesitated. Belle held her breath and willed him to turn around, but he continued into the house.

Chapter Four (#u1795bda1-ab1e-50c1-8ac0-7ade2a87a786)

Harlan stood at the kitchen sink and stared out the window toward the stables. Last night he’d summoned an iron will to keep from carrying Belle back to the main house and celebrating their marriage the way a man and wife should. He’d expected the band around his finger to feel heavy. It had when he’d married Molly. This time was different. Despite the circumstances, this time felt natural. And his relationship with Belle was anything but.

He filled two travel mugs with coffee and headed out the back door. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. He didn’t know why. He’d poured her coffee knowing she was there. But seeing Belle muck the stalls confirmed yesterday hadn’t been a dream. She was back in his life. And the fine line between terrified and excited blurred with each passing second.

“Good morning. How’s Lillie?”

“She made it through the night and had two more feedings.” Belle continued to shovel without looking up. “She’s taking a nap before I bring her to work.”

“I brought you coffee.” Harlan set the mug on a hay bale, maintaining his distance. The closer he got to her, the faster his heart beat. “You don’t have to do this.” Outlaw poked his head out of the empty stall Belle had moved him into. “I don’t expect you to work for me or tend to my horses.”

Belle shrugged in acknowledgment. “It’s the least I can do. I would have fed them but I saw two different pellets in your feed bins and I didn’t know who got what. If you show me, I’ll take care of them for you.”

“Trying to keep me out of my own stables?” Harlan’s body tensed.

“It’s not that.” Belle’s shoulders slumped before she looked up at him. “Okay, maybe it is.” She rested the shovel handle against the crook of her arm and tugged off her gloves. “Everything else aside, I feel guilty about not coming to see you when your dad died. Your family has always been wonderful to me and I should have swallowed my pride and tried.”

Harlan picked up her coffee and handed it to her. “You did. I saw you at the cemetery.” Her eyes widened at his admission. “At first I wasn’t sure it was you off in the distance, but when Dylan noticed you, too, I had my confirmation.”

“It wasn’t enough.” Belle averted her gaze from his once again. “How is your mom?”

“Good. She remarried and seems happy with her new life in California. I’ve only been out there once.” Now it was his turn to feel awkward. Four years had passed since Ryder had been convicted of vehicular manslaughter. Harlan still didn’t believe the circumstances surrounding his father’s death, but he’d been forced to accept them after his brother pled guilty and had been sentenced to fifteen years in the state penitentiary. “I should fly out there sometime soon. I know Ivy would love to see her grandmother. Maybe over Thanksgiving.”

“Please give her my best.” Belle flipped open the top of the mug and took a sip. “Thank you. You even remembered how I take my coffee.”

“Light and sweet.” How could he forget? He used to tease her about it. Light and sweet, just like you. “But seriously, Belle, I don’t want you to feel you owe me anything for staying here. I know we can’t ignore the past, but we can try to keep it there. I appreciate the gesture.”

“I will still clean the stalls because, believe it or not, busy work helps me think. The sooner I can get my rescue operation open, the more animals I’ll be able to save.” She plucked her phone from her back pocket and tapped the screen. “Come look at this.” She sidled up to him as he entered the stall, her shoulder grazing his upper arm. “It’s a nonprofit with locations in California and Tennessee called The Gentle Barn. It provides a safe haven for animals in need while educating the community about kindness and compassion. They even have a cow with a prosthetic limb. Isn’t it remarkable?” Belle beamed as she continued to scroll through the photos. “My goal is to provide my rescues with whatever medical care they may require. If I can adopt them out into loving forever homes, wonderful. If not, that’s okay, too. Either way, they’ll never suffer again.”

The sincerity in Belle’s voice was another reminder why he fell in love with her so long ago. She did everything with purpose and her whole heart. The rescue was a great idea. Ivy would love it, especially since she wanted to become a veterinarian.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Belle stepped away from him.

“I have a proposition for you.” Harlan feared he’d regret what he was about to say, but even worse, he feared he’d regret it even more if he didn’t. “I have more acreage here than I need. You and I chose this property because of its spectacular views of the Swan Range. I think it’s only fair for you to use part of it for your rescue. No strings, no cost. We’ll call it your first donation.”

She opened her mouth and for a second he thought she’d balk at the idea. “Are you sure you want me this close to you and your daughter?”

“Belle, I have nothing against you. And I admit, I am concerned with you interacting with Ivy. She’s an inquisitive child and as soon as I pick her up after work she’ll want to meet you. Are you okay with that?”

“I don’t harbor any resentment toward her.” The corners of her mouth turned downward. “I resented the situation and a part of me still does. But Ivy is an innocent child who became the victim of a bad situation. I can sympathize with that. I know what it’s like to have a mother walk out and never return. I’ll be her friend, but I don’t want her to believe you and I are a real couple because it will break her heart when I leave.”

Leave? Of course she would leave eventually. But if she accepted his proposal, she would just be on the other side of the property. Granted he wouldn’t see her every day, but he’d know she was there.

“Ivy’s aware of your grandmother’s illness. She doesn’t know the specifics, but she knows enough. I’ll remind her so there’s no confusion. Does that mean you’ll accept my offer?”

“I’d be a fool not to.” She exhaled slowly. “And I might be a fool to say yes.”

“I have a little over a hundred acres. You’re welcome to half of it.”

Belle shook her head. “Fifty acres is much more than I can handle.”

“I’ll deed you whatever you feel you need now, and if you want to add more later, you can. There’s another entrance to the ranch on the back side of the property. Start with that parcel. The land’s fairly clear and there’s already an outbuilding there. I can’t guarantee it’s not a complete teardown. I haven’t been out there in a while. But if it is, I’ll help you with that, too.” Harlan fought to stop rambling. “It’s up to you. You need to be comfortable with it.”

Her expression filled with worry. “Are you comfortable with it? Or is this an attempt to clear your conscience?”

“Belle, I’ll never escape the guilt of leaving you at the altar, but that’s not why I’m offering. I have one major concern. I can’t have my daughter affected by your sometimes reckless choices. If you can promise to call me before doing anything rash, I would be happy to help you start your rescue.”

“Then I think we have a deal.” She gave him a soft, warm smile.

Belle held out her hand. This time he knew enough to shake it. The feel of her palm against his set his heart aflame. A small ball of forbidden desire burned in the pit of his stomach. He wanted to seal their arrangement with a kiss. To give her what was rightfully hers and what should have been hers all along. The land and his heart. But he couldn’t. He’d had his chance. If he hadn’t bolted on their wedding day, Belle never would have faced half the challenges she’d endured. And she most likely wouldn’t have a police record. He’d set off a chain reaction eight years ago and it had deeply affected Belle and his daughter. He might be able to right some of his wrongs, but he’d have to live with the consequences of never knowing what could have been.

* * *

FOR THE SECOND day in a row, Belle couldn’t believe how much her life had changed overnight. Harlan’s generous land offer touched her more than she’d ever admit. At least she wouldn’t admit it to him. Was that petty and childish? Maybe. But she wasn’t ready to destroy the protective wall she’d built around her heart. Not only to keep him out, but to keep herself from wanting more.

Harlan was an old habit, one she craved with each passing second. She refused to give in to it. She’d worked hard to form new, less dependent relationships. None had resulted in any long-term romances, but she’d learned to value her friendships and stand on her own. And until she saw the deed transferred into her name, she couldn’t afford to get her hopes up.

Who was she kidding? She silently cheered behind the steering wheel of her truck, not wanting to startle Lillie. She was over the moon thrilled. Any attachments she had to that property had faded long ago. Or so she thought. This morning had been difficult. It was the first time she woke up on what should have been hers. Not that she’d gotten much sleep, and she lived in the stables, but it was close enough. And it stung.

She drove onto Dr. Lydia Presley’s ranch and parked in front of the stables. It was strictly an ambulatory practice, but Lydia used the ranch as home base. Breaking the news to her friend and employer about her arrest wouldn’t be easy. Harlan hadn’t been the only one warning her to stay out of trouble.

She reached over to the passenger side and unlatched the seat belt. “It was all worth it, wasn’t it, Lillie?” She lifted the carrier and climbed out of the truck. “Let’s go make sure you’re okay.”

“Good morning,” Lydia greeted her from the supply room. “Is this our newest patient?” She peered in the carrier. “Wow, she is tiny. Let me take a better look at her.” The piglet squealed in Lydia’s deep, bronzed hands. “Shh. It’s okay, baby girl. I don’t like the look of this sunburn. She already has a blister forming.”

“I’m estimating she’s only a couple days old.”

“I agree. What did you name her?” Lydia placed the piglet on the scale.

“Lillie with an i e. She reminds me of a pink lily-pad bloom.”

“She’s close to the size of one of those flowers, too. Lillie only weighs 1.2 pounds. She’s severely underweight for a newborn commercial pig. Let’s start a round of antibiotics and treat the burn. We’ll vaccinate in three weeks and begin her boosters in four. You never told me how you acquired her.” Lydia raised one perfectly arched brow. “Or will my knowing make me an accessory after the fact?”

“No, no, she’s been bought and paid for.” Belle gnawed on her inner cheek.

“That’s good to know.” Lydia smoothed a light coat of ointment on Lillie’s back. “She’ll need this reapplied throughout the day. As soon as it looks dry again, apply another layer. Do you even have room for her at your apartment?”

“Not quite. I got evicted last night.”

“To be honest, I thought it would have happened long before now.” Lydia’s dense spiraled curls bounced as she shook her head. “Where are you staying?”

“With Harlan.”

“Harlan? The same Harlan who left you crying at the altar?”

“I did not cry.” Her mind tumbled to push that day further into the past. She had relived it enough times over the last eight years.

“Oh, honey, I was there and you not only cried, you ugly cried. When did this reunion happen?”