“I appreciate the thought,” he said, taking her hands into his. They were so small and fragile, and if he didn’t know better, he would’ve assumed she was a woman in need of protection. But no, instead he found a woman more than capable of not only capturing an outlaw, but one who wasn’t even remotely afraid to question said outlaw. “But from now on, leave the interrogation of my prisoners to me, all right?”
She nodded. “I only wish to be helpful.”
“Youarehelpful, simply by being here. Even if all you did was sleep until noon and tell me how dull life is here, your mere presence is enough for me.” He lifted a hand to brush away a tendril of hair that had fallen into her face. His words had made her smile and tears retreat.
“I don’t generally sleep until noon,” she said with a little smile.
“And I appreciate that.” Hawk paused, an idea forming in his mind. “How about tomorrow, I take you on a tour of sorts of the town and introduce you to some of the other ladies here?”
“I’d love that,” Lina replied. She looked toward the kitchen. “I imagine you’ve already had breakfast?”
“If a slice of bread counts as breakfast, then yes.”
She laughed and stood, letting go of his hands. “It does not. I’ll cook up something good and bring it over to you and Deputy Garland.”
Hawk wasn’t about to argue with that, but he did have a favor to ask of her. “I know this is a lot to ask, considering the circumstances, but when you cook, would you mind including Turley in our number? I’m obligated to feed the prisoners in our jail.”
“I understand,” she said. “I’ll include him. I suppose.” She pulled a face, and Hawk laughed.
“Thank you.” On a whim, he leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Lina’s face turned pink the moment he backed away, and he wanted to laugh with happiness. “I’ll see you in a bit,” he said
She nodded, and Hawk nearly whistled as he shut the door behind him, thoughts of kissing Lina pushing every other worry out of his mind.
Chapter Nine
TRUE TO HIS WORD, THEnext day Hawk arrived home at two o’clock in the afternoon, ready to show Lina the town.
She was ready, wearing a simple skirt and bodice of soft blue, a dress that she always thought brought out the color of her eyes. It was older, not as nice as the pink she’d worn for the wedding. But she couldn’t stomach wearing the sage again after traveling in it for so long. She had only the one summer hat, an older but pretty straw bonnet with a white ribbon that cascaded over the brim.
Hawk smiled upon seeing her. “You look lovely in that dress.”
Lina’s cheeks warmed and she looked down, wishing her face would stop giving away her every emotion. She took his outstretched hand and followed him out the door, where he tucked her hand around his arm as they walked toward the road.
She glanced up at him as they passed his office. He cut quite the figure, even in his usual workday clothing. Lina thought that any woman might be proud to be Hawk’s wife—and somehow, that woman was her.
