Harvest Moon (Borrowed Brides 2)

She was tall and slender, but well endowed. David realized the dress’s narrow high-necked bodice required a corset. Without the support and the constriction of the foundation garment, he doubted she could get the top fastened all the way. And if she managed to do so, the cotton fabric would cling to her, revealing more than it concealed.

“Oh.” David managed the one word.

She needed him to help her dress. She needed him to act as lady’s maid, lacing her corset, tying her petticoats, buttoning the back of her dress. Coalie had selected the green calico because he thought Tessa would like the color. And David had never given it a thought, and his thoughtlessness had come back to haunt him.

“I’ll see if I can find somebody to help you,” David said.

“Who?” Tessa asked. “Deputy Harris? Sheriff Bradley?”

“One of the women in town. Mrs. Bradley, maybe.”

Tessa looked skeptical. She’d heard part of his conversation with the sheriff, and Coalie had told her the rest. “Please,” she repeated. “I want to leave here.”

Her wanting to leave the jail was only part of the reason she’d asked for his help, David realized. She understood about the women in town, and somehow she knew they’d judged her and found her guilty. He admired her courage and her stubborn pride.

“All right. I’ll do it,” David said suddenly, knowing there was never really any doubt. He’d managed to undress her. He ought to be able to dress her, despite the strain on his nerves. “Coalie,” he said to the boy, “go up front and wait in the sheriff’s office. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Coalie looked to Tessa.

“Do as he says,” she reassured Coalie. “I’ll be there in a minute. And, Coalie, don’t worry. Everything will be all right.”

David wasn’t as confident. He had the feeling his life was changing beyond recognition. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door to the cell and stepped inside.

Tessa waited until Coalie closed the door leading to the sheriff’s office behind him. Dropping the blanket and the clothes on the cot, she turned her back to David and reached for a long white chemise.

A gentleman would have looked away, but David forgot about being a gentleman. He forgot the niceties. She was a beautiful woman dressed in the heavy black silk stockings he’d bought her, pantalets, and her new shoes. He studied her legs that seemed to go on forever—right up to the soft white skin of her back and the delicate outline of her spine. As he stared at the graceful curve of her back for the second time in one day, David wondered what the hell was he going to do with Tessa Roarke?

Chapter Three

“Stay close to me. We have to pass by the Satin Slipper. My office is a few doors beyond it.” David Alexander moved a step closer to Tessa, inclined his head and spoke near her ear. “I worked hard to build my practice and my reputation here in Peaceable, and I’d like to avoid trouble.” Silently he added, And the possibility of a nice juicy scandal.

Tessa shivered. She could feel his warm breath caressing her, feel his hand comforting her as it rested lightly against the small of her back, holding her within reach as they walked down the sidewalk.

He’d just warned her that he didn’t want trouble. Well, neither did she, and there wouldn’t be any as long as Myra Brennan agreed to return Tessa’s things. But if Myra didn’t cooperate, all hell was liable to break loose. Biting her lip to keep from speaking her mind, Tessa marched on, dressed in her new green calico dress and matching bonnet, ignoring the censorious looks in the eyes of the curious spectators.

She felt the stares of the people burning into her back as she passed, heard the growing rumble of voices gossiping about her, judging her. But Tessa didn’t falter. She wouldn’t allow the people of Peaceable to see her nervousness. She kept her head up, her eyes forward, and her back rigid as she passed through Peaceable’s muddy streets. She raised her chin a notch higher as they approached the Satin Slipper Saloon. Several scantily clad saloon girls, former acquaintances, lingered in the doorway, whispering. Three of the upstairs girls had wrapped themselves in blankets and braved the bitter cold wind to stand on the balcony. Tessa wondered which one was the new occupant of her room and the owner of her personal possessions. The thought brought a spurt of anger. Tessa clenched her gloved fists.

Coalie moved closer to Tessa’s side, carefully matching his steps to hers before grabbing hold of her hand. She unclenched her fist as Coalie slipped his hand into hers. She gave his smaller hand a tiny squeeze of encouragement.

“Murderess!” Myra Brennan, owner of the Satin Slipper, stood on the boardwalk blocking their path.

Tessa started at the unexpected attack, half turning to face her accuser.

“Don’t pay any attention to her,” David instructed. “Chin up, eyes forward. Pretend she isn’t there.”

“Murderess!” The accusation was louder this time and the saloon girls joined in, echoing their employer.

Tessa turned to David. He read the anger burning in the depths of her big blue eyes.

“Don’t say anything,” he warned. “Just look straight ahead.” His fingers tightened on her elbow as he spoke. “Trust me. I’ll handle this. I’ll take care of you.” As soon as he said the words, David knew they were true. He understood that Tessa Roarke could take care of herself, but he wanted, needed, to do it. He wanted to take care of her.

Myra Brennan took a step forward.

Tessa held her ground.

David inhaled, steeling himself for the confrontation, knowing it could get ugly. The mood of the crowd could easily change from curiosity to anger. David released Tessa’s elbow and stepped forward. As he did so, David noticed that Coalie had let go of Tessa’s hand and moved to stand in front of her.

“Good afternoon, Miss Brennan.” David tipped his hat and smiled his most disarming smile.