Golden Chances (Borrowed Brides 1)

He paused outside the cell, glancing back at Tessa. She remained seated on the cot, the line of her back impossibly rigid. “Will she be all right?”

“Sure. She’s got the place to herself. For today.”

David suddenly realized the jail was empty except for Tessa Roarke. “Where is everyone?”

Harris chuckled. “We let all the drunks go home before breakfast. Saves the citizens the cost of feedin’ ’em. She won’t have to worry about company until the saloons fill up again. Then I don’t know what we’ll do. Can’t put anybody in with her, and we do lots of business on Friday nights.” There were only three cells in the entire jail.

“I’ll find someplace for her to stay,” David promised.

“How you gonna manage that? She’s a damn murderess.”

“She’s an alleged murderess,” David snapped at the deputy. “And I don’t know how I’ll manage, but I’ll find a place for her to stay.”

The lawman looked skeptical.

David couldn’t blame him. He found it hard to believe his own words. Nothing made sense. He had plenty of cases to keep him busy. Business cases. Deeds, wills, contracts, and land plats were stacked on his desk awaiting attention. They were all clean, uncomplicated, predictable cases. But this…

“Mr. Alexander?” Her soft voice reached him as he opened the door.

“Yes?”

“Can you get me out?” She paused. “Coalie needs me.”

David inhaled deeply. He was crazy to take her on as a client. This whole night had been crazy. David hoped he was still sleeping. If he was lucky, he’d wake up soon and realize this had all been a fascinating dream.