Shotgun Bride by Karen Lopp Page B

may have assumed we were together.”
    She gasped.
    “It’s just a guess so don’t get all bothered and angry. But, I’m the one he’s after, so I need the gun.”
    “I disagree. No one has come into your room and shot your bed full of holes.”
    “And you’re forgetting that was my room.”
    Kathleen jumped off the bed and paced. No way did she want to be weaponless and the only alternative was to stay in the same room with Mike. If he’d let her. And if she didn’t mind the risk of being caught.
    “I’ll go get your things.”
    “Bring a pillow and blanket.”
    Mike whirled around and stared at her, his eyes wide.
    “Why?”
    She planted her fists on her hips. “Because I’m sleeping here and so are you.”
    “That’s not a good idea.”
    “I won’t tell. But I won’t be left without a way to defend myself and neither will you. I won’t kick you out of your bed. I’ll sleep in the corner. If I sleep at all.”
    Mike stood so still she wondered if he even breathed. So he may think she was a wanton hussy, but after tomorrow, no, today , she’d never see him again. She tapped her foot, crossed her arms and arched one brow in challenge. It wouldn’t hurt his reputation one bit.
    “You can have the bed. I’m used to sleeping on the ground anyway.”
    He turned and stalked out. Her shoulders slumped. Being alone and single was turning out to be far more difficult than she’d ever imagined. And dangerous.
    She chewed on her lower lip. If she read Mike wrong she was soon going to be in a terrible position. She shivered and glanced out the window at the moon-bathed, empty street. Her first purchase was going to be a shotgun. Her father had always said a scattergun was a sure way to get someone’s attention. How else was she going to be able to live alone on an isolated ranch?
    Mike strode slowly down the deserted hallway to Kathleen’s room. Her proposal had surprised him, but he understood. She was alone and had had two scares already. Make that four. But what really bothered him was who wanted him dead? So her room had been broken into. The other attempts had all involved him.
    He snorted. No way was he going to convince Kathleen of that. At least not tonight. When he came in and saw her huddled on his bed, he wanted to hold her close and soothe her fears. Not a good idea after the effect of her kiss. He’d want another. He already did. And alone, in the night, with her in his bed? Nope, he knew better. It was going to be hard enough getting to sleep knowing she lay just a few feet away.
    Damn it . Why did his body decide to get all hot and bothered at the sight of a long-sleeved, ankle-length cotton gown? Someone was out to kill him and all he could think about was Kathleen, sprawled on the sheets. Her hair down. The moon’s beams caressing her bare skin.
    Hell . Fun as it was to have these fantasies, he needed to concentrate on who and why someone had made all the attempts on his life. He jerked the blanket off the bed, tucked the pillow under his arm, and snatched up her ragged bag.
    He stopped in mid-stride and felt like a fool. Why didn’t he think of this sooner? All this started after his engagement to Sally. Somebody wanted him out of the way so they could get the prize. Made sense. Some folks will do almost anything to seize land the easy way, instead of putting in the hours of labor and time necessary to work the land.
    Well, that settled that. He’d pay a visit to Sally tomorrow, let her decide how to end the farce, and then spread the word. Let Sally and Hawkins deal with her next suitor.
    Now, he had to face the temptress in his room. He grinned. Playing knight-in-shining-armor to a damsel-in-distress had its perks. Maybe she’d give him one more kiss for his sacrifice in the morning.
    “Why aren’t you in bed?”
    “I told you I probably couldn’t sleep. Every little noise makes me jump.”
    Mike dropped his burden in the corner. He wasn’t going to be able to sleep, either, but