Adam, Devils on Horseback: Generations, Book 1 by Beth Williamson

she was in. The onyx was one of his most prized rocks and he wanted Eve to know he was sorry. As he reached into his pocket for the onyx, the back door banged open.
    He should have known his uncle would want to know what was going on. As the town’s sheriff for all of Adam’s life, Zeke Blackwood made it his business to protect everyone. Especially those he considered family.
    The big blond lawman walked into the kitchen and Adam’s gut clenched. He glanced at Eve, who stared at Zeke like a rabbit facing a wolf.
    “Good morning, Sheridans!” Zeke greeted everyone with smiles and shoulder pats. He sat down directly across from Eve and Adam. His brown gaze was always as intense, no matter if he was discussing an apple pie or a murder. Being a lawman was his natural calling, that much was obvious, even to Adam when he was a little boy.
    Zeke always made Adam feel safe. He’d taught all the young ones how to use a weapon safely, whether knife or gun. It was almost impossible to lie to the man. He could sniff out a fib from a thousand yards. And here he was, at the breakfast table two days after Eve arrived in Tanger.
    “Introduce me to your friend, Adam.” Zeke’s deep voice rolled through the quiet like distant thunder.
    “Eve, this is my uncle Zeke.” Adam gestured across the table. “This is my, uh, friend, Eve Tate.”
    “Tate? You have kin around here?” Zeke picked up a biscuit from the plate in the middle of the table.
    “No. I’m alone.” Eve sipped at her coffee, never breaking eye contact with Zeke. The woman had courage.
    “I hear you’re not alone anymore. Rumor has it you’re engaged to my nephew here.”
    Eve blinked. “I don’t think that’s been decided yet.”
    Adam frowned at his uncle. “We’re getting to know each other.”
    “Hm, not according to Spencer. He was almost dancing to tell me all about Adam’s new woman. Folks all over town are talking about how you two arrived in town looking like you’d been tussling in the flour.” Zeke quirked his right brow. “Why do you suppose that is?”
    “Spencer is a pain in my ass.”
    “I don’t disagree there. That boy takes it upon himself to be as much of a pain in my ass every day of the year.” Zeke shook his head. “Reminds me of his uncle Lee like that.”
    “Language, both of you.” Mama frowned at Zeke. “Have some respect for the ladies.”
    “I’m sorry, Gabby. Mention of Spencer’s antics makes me lose my gentlemanly manners,” Zeke apologized with a bit of flair. Pa laughed outright.
    “I’m sorry, Mama.” Adam scooted a smidgen closer to Eve on the bench. He knew his uncle would push until he was satisfied with what he heard. “Uncle Zeke, you need to be nice to her.”
    “I’m always nice!” Zeke held up his hands as though he were actually innocent.
    Pa snorted and got to his feet. “And I’m the King of Siam.” He gestured to Mama. “We need to get busy. Schwartz is coming in with a load this morning.”
    Adam’s parents left, followed by Bella and Rose. Zeke set the biscuit down and steepled his fingers together.
    “Now that the children are gone, let’s get to it.”
    Eve set the cup down and frowned. “You are a man of the law.”
    “I am.” Zeke tapped the star on his chest. “This gives me the responsibility to protect this town and my family. From everyone and everything. Now tell me who you really are.”
    “Eve Tate.”
    Zeke shook his head. “You and I both know that’s a lie.”
    “It’s who I’ve been since I was five. I don’t know any other name.”
    Adam frowned. “Since you were five?”
    She shrugged. “I don’t know who my parents are. A rancher found me in a wagon of supplies delivered to his place. He took me to the orphanage and when they asked him my name, he told them my name was Eve, a female from nowhere.”
    Adam’s throat tightened at the callous way she’d been treated. He felt worse for how he’d behaved, if that was possible. She was an orphan and he