Stacey Kayne - Bride Of Shadow Canyon

“What’s this, the sixth time I’ve seen you before my court?”

“Judge Widell,” Jed responded in a dry tone. “I believe it is. Figured you’d have put down stakes by now, or did you run out of cattle rustlers and horse thieves to hang in Texas?”

“Stakes? Why should I limit myself to one stuffy courthouse when there’s dens of sin all over this land needin’ my justice? Trouble is, I seem to find you in every one of ‘em. I knew you was a hellion the first time I laid eyes on you in Texas.”

Rachell watched the two men exchange a quick smile, yet Jed had implied they weren’t friends.

“Damn shame what happened to that little squaw of yers. You did the world a favor by huntin’ down that pack of vermin. Don’t suppose I’m seein’ you today under those type of circumstances?”

“No.”

Rachell peered up at the man beside her. His little squaw had obviously met some horrible fate, yet Jed’s staunch expression never wavered. Cold gray eyes stared straight ahead.

“Whelp, you and the lady know why you’re here, so let’s get this started. Buster!”

The burly man walked forward and held out a large Bible.

“If you’ll each place your right hand on the Bible,” Buster instructed.

Rachell pulled in a deep breath as she lifted her shaky hand and placed it next to Jed’s.

“Do you swear before God to tell the truth?”

“I do,” she said in unison with Jed.

Judge Widell leaned forward, peering down at them like a beady-eyed vulture. “You sure got some bigwig stirred up with yer business in Weaver. He’s harpin’ murder to every rail-town in the area. Seems you shot his boy. This Sumner feller’s also claimin’ you kidnapped his fiancée.”

“I am not his fiancée!”

Judge Widell didn’t pay any attention to Rachell, but kept his eyes on Jed.

“Are you tellin’ me all this ain’t on account of yer lady, there?” Judge Widell continued, motioning toward Rachell.

“Mrs. Carlson is not my lady.”

A white eyebrow rose high into his forehead. “Is that so? She was sure fussin’ at you like she was yer lady.”

The room echoed with low chuckles as he turned his gaze toward Rachell. “Missy, you got petticoats on under that skirt?”

The skin of Rachell’s face sizzled as Jed released a low groan. “I, uh—” She glanced up at Jed, but he offered her no assistance, keeping his focus on the judge.

“Spit it out, missy. Either you do or you don’t.”

“No, Your Honor.”

“Jed, what are you doin’ ridin’ around with a woman on yer lap who ain’t even wearin’ petticoats? Where’s her husband?”

“She’s a widow. He died in the War Between the States.”

“Blue or gray?” the judge barked.

“Gray?” Jed finally glanced down at her.

“Yes. He was a lieutenant in the Confederate army.”

“Honorable, honorable,” the judge said, nodding his head. “Lost too many good men on both sides. Let’s move on to the charges at hand. Three counts of murder, destruction—”

“Now wait just a damn minute,” Jed roared. “I no more murdered—”

“No one raises their voice in my courtroom but me!”

“Damn it—”

“One more profane word out of you, Jed, and I’ll have you tossed into jail and leave you there. Have you forgotten the month you’n yer injun’ friend spent behind bars for such behavior in my courtroom? You shot three men dead. The charge is murder.”

Rachell watched Jed’s muscles flex against the strained fabric of his shirt in his obvious attempt to control his temper.

“I can see you’re itchin’ to tell yer side of the story, so let’s jump right to it. I suppose you’re gonna say you fired that side iron of yers in self-defense?”

“Damn straight!”

Widell narrowed his eyes. “A Yes, Yer Honor will suffice. So you did nothin’ to provoke those poor dead souls?”

“I suppose they weren’t too pleased by my taking Mrs. Carlson, but she gave her full consent to leave the premises under my protection. I didn’t draw my weapon ‘til I saw them go for theirs. I’d have been just as willing to leave without a ruckus.”

“But y’all knew that wudn’t gonna happen. Didn’t ya?”

Rachell glanced up at Jed who only shrugged his wide shoulders.

“If she ain’t yer lady, why are you blazin’ yer gun for her?”

“She’s Buck Coleburn’s sister-in-law. I came to escort her safely to California.”

Judge Widell’s face lit with a wide smile, lifting a web of wrinkles. “A woman finally branded that ol’ horse peddler?”

“Yep.”

“Well good for him! Ain’t nothin’ better for a man’s soul than a good woman.” He paused, leaning forward onto his elbows. “So, yer takin’ the little lady to California then?”

“That’s what I said,” Jed seethed in a tone of clear impatience.

Rachell had the impression that Judge Widell was enjoying Jed’s riled state.

“I suppose you’ll be rushing her to California straight away?” he said, peering over the top of his spectacles.

“No.”

Rachell’s head snapped up. “ No? But—”

“Hush yer mouth, missy. When I want to hear from you I’ll address you directly.” Judge Widell reclined in his chair, a slow smile stretching his lips as he returned his attention to Jed. “So, the pretty lady has trouble on her tail, does she?”

“That seems to be the case.” Jed glared down at her with his wintery eyes. Rachell glared right back. It wasn’t her fault!

“Usually is with the pretty ones,” the judge commented. “So, just where do you plan to take the lady?”

“Nevada.”

“Uh-huh. You could wait here for ‘em. I’ll see that you get a fair trial after the killin’ and be happy to serve swift justice to those who go against you and manage to keep livin’.”

Rachell sucked in a gasp. She could have sworn he’d just given Jed permission to kill and offered assistance with the leftovers. He was visibly agitated when Jed declined the offer.

“Suit yerself,” he snipped. “Is she a lady of a respectable stature?”

“She claims to be.”

“Uh-huh.” Judge Widell skimmed her over, his expression reflecting Jed’s skepticism. Rachell told herself it didn’t matter what any of them thought.

“So, you’ll be traveling alone,” the judge added.

There was a distinct change in Jed’s posture. His stance widened, his strong body seemed coiled to strike as though someone had pulled a gun on him. “What are you getting at, Judge?”

“Just gettin’ the facts straight so I can make a fair judgment. So you’re claimin’ you fired yer gun in self-defense. You got collaboration to that effect?”

“Mrs. Carlson will attest to the fact. You won’t find a soul in Weaver who’ll say different.”

“All right then, self-defense it is. As for disturbing the peace and destruction of property, yer fine’s three hundred dollars.”

Rachell sucked in a sharp breath. Three hundred dollars!

“Fair enough.”

Shocked, she looked up at Jed’s relaxed expression. Hopefully he had three hundred dollars. She didn’t have a dollar to her name.

“Five dollars for the marriage license,” the judge said quickly, “and we’re done.”

“Marriage license?” shrieked Rachell.

“Wait just a damn minute!” Jed roared simultaneously.

“You know the law, Jed. She’s an unchaperoned lady traveling in the presence of a man.”

“We’re not in Texas and she’s a widow! ”

Judge Widell stood, shouting over them. “Defendant is found innocent on all counts of murder, by the powers invested in me I now pronounce you man and wife!” He rapped his gavel. “Court adjourned!”