Remember Me (Defiant MC) by Cora Brent

descended on the Territory bound to make herself a name, single woman or not.  She secured one of the early placers and made a fair penny off it.  Now she raises cattle on a small spread outside town.  Lizzie took us in and raised us.” 
    It was a nice story.  Two orphan boys taken in by a tough lone woman.  “She sounds like a wonderful lady.” 
    James laughed.  “She is.  Just don’t tell her that.  She’s a coarse one but that heart is richer than the deepest vein in the Scorpion.  I’m sure you’ll meet her sooner or later.” 
    James Dolan appeared to be a good, upright man.  The unruly outlaw of a brother didn’t seem to fit him.  Annika wondered if he knew what Mercer really was.  If he did, then apparently he’d chosen to overlook it.  If he didn’t, Annika figured it was not her place to inform him. 
    “Have you always been a man of the law?” she asked with interest. 
    “No,” he admitted slowly.  “That mine is a powerful seduction.  I spent over a year heading down into that hole.  Took a chunk out of my lungs too.” He paused.  “I figure maybe I’ll live longer with the badge.  And even though it doesn’t bring as fat a dollar, it’s enough.  For a home,” he added carefully and Annika blushed, grasping his meaning. 
    The sky was near ly dark by the time they reached the schoolhouse.  It was less than a mile outside of town but it seemed the comforting lights were a world away.  Then Annika heard the crack of a gunshot from that direction and she was grateful to be removed from it. 
    James lit a lantern and watched her doubtfully as she surveyed the single room schoolhouse.  The log walls smelled fresh and though there were no provisions inside, Annika was pleased.  She could well imagine presiding over a class there.  A narrow outhouse was perched several doze n yards away, the telltale half-moon cut into the door.  The small neighboring building was to be her living quarters.  It was sparse, with only a rope bedframe and no mattress.  A large, terribly chipped wash basin and a single lantern were the only other fittings in the room.  James apologized for the crudity and promised it would not be for long. 
    He placed the valise inside the room and observed Annika silently as she began to search through it, eager to locate some of the comforts of home. 
    “Annika, are you certain you wouldn’t like to board with the Swillings?  At least until this place is furnished a little more satisfactorily.”
    “No,” she insisted at once, feeling a deep and inexplicable pleasure over her new surroundings.  “No thank you, James.  I prefer to stay here.  That way I can begin seeing to the school right away.  I expect children might be arriving tomorrow?”
    He nodded.  “When word gets out you’ve arrived, then yes.  The parents of Contention City are eager and won’t waste time getting acquainted.”
    Annika was satisfied.  “Good.  Then I’ll happily stay here.” 
    James knew where the well was. He filled a bucket and the washbasin and then awkwardly asked Annika whether she would prefer him to stay for a while. 
    If she were being truthful, she would have admitted that she did wish for him to remain.   But even with the lax propriety of Contention City, it wouldn’t be fitting.  She was keen on washing up as best she could and removing the torture of her whalebone stays.  She couldn’t very well do that with the city marshal hanging around several feet away. 
    Before he left , James brought something from the wagon.  “You know how to use it?” he asked. 
    It was a rifle, a Winchester similar to Ebson’s but with a yellow look to the metal.  James called it a “Bronze Boy”. 
    “I can shoot,” Annika assured him, accepting it gratefully. 
    Before leaving, James Dolan turned to her with thoughtful sincerity.  “Contention City is lucky to have you, Miss Annika Larson.  Everyone is glad you are here.”  His voice