Wrong Husband Read online

  He wasn’t sure how to respond but finally figured the truth would be best. After all, look at how much trouble lying had caused. “Yes, Big Roy is looking for me.”

  “Because you killed one of his men?”

  “Well, that man and his brother came after me with knives.”

  “Were the men big?”

  Owen thought about it for a moment. “Bigger than me but not as big as Irving.”

  “You took on two of them at once?”

  He shrugged. “Well...yes. I did. They followed me down the alley and had me cornered.”

  “And all you had was a knife?”

  He nodded. “I didn’t have a gun. It was good I had to go fishing that day or else I wouldn’t have had it. I used that knife to gut fish.”

  “Wow.”

  He furrowed his eyebrows. Wow?

  The boy waved his two friends over. “Two big men chased him down an alley and tried to kill him but he got away!”

  The other boys looked impressed as they approached him.

  “Do you have the knife on you?” one asked.

  “No,” Owen replied, still surprised. “It had blood all over it so I left it behind.”

  “Blood? Was there a lot of it?”

  Owen thought for a moment. “His shirt soaked up most of it, but I guess there was a good-sized stain on his shirt before he fell to the ground.”

  “Then what happened?” Amos asked.

  “I ran out of the alley,” Owen replied.

  “Did the other bad guy come after you?”

  “Yes, and he wasn’t happy.” There was no way he could forget the look of outrage on Lance’s face. “He even got a lawman to go after me.”

  “You outran the sheriff?”

  “I panicked.”

  “But you were fast, huh? You had to be fast!” another boy said, nudging his friend in the arm with an excited expression on his face.

  Owen felt a chuckle rise in his throat. “Well, being short helps you run fast.”

  “And you fooled Sheriff Meyer!”

  “Now wait. Lying is wrong. I didn’t do the right thing.” He had to make that clear to them in case they thought it was a good idea to do that in the future.

  “Oh, we know. We heard you got put into prison.”

  “Right. And I belonged there for what I did.”

  “But you’re out now.”

  Owen nodded. “Because the sheriff and deputy decided to give me another chance. I have to help them catch Big Roy.”

  “Big Roy is coming here?” Amos said, nearly jumping up and down.

  “It’s a sure thing. He’s coming after me.”

  “Wow! Big Roy is coming here!” another boy said.

  Amos smiled with obvious glee. “And all because of you!”

  “You must be important,” the boy agreed.

  Owen hadn’t thought of it that way, nor did he think he deserved their praise. But he could see that this gave them something fun to talk about. He might as well make the most of it. “Now, you three remember to be honest. It’s much better to be Irving Spencer than Owen Russell. Irving is always honest, and he gets the outlaws each time.”

  “With your help,” Amos added.

  He raised an eyebrow at the three excited boys. Alright. So they would insist on hailing him as a hero—of sorts. What was the harm in that as long as they understood they shouldn’t go around lying? Just to make sure, he asked, “You do know lying is wrong, don’t you?”

  “Oh yes, sir,” Amos replied. “We don’t want to get in trouble like you did.”

  Owen furrowed his eyebrows. “Then why are you looking at me as if I’m a hero?”

  “Because you came clean,” one of the boys said. “You’re on the good side now.”

  Owen couldn’t argue with their logic. “Alright.”

  “We’ll be on the lookout for Big Roy and let you know if we see him,” Amos promised.

  He smiled. “Be sure to do that.”

  “We will.”

  After they said good-bye and ran off, Owen watched them, thinking maybe things were going to be alright after all. At least in regards to his reputation.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jeremy ran to the front door and jumped into Owen’s arms.

  Surprised, Jenny turned from the sandwiches she’d been making and went over to him. “They let you out of jail?”

  “As long as I promised not to run away.” He gave Jeremy a big hug. “I missed you, squirt.”

  “Was it scary in there?” Jeremy asked.

  “No, but it was lonely. It’s good to be home with my family.” He leaned forward and gave Jenny a kiss. “I can’t believe how much I missed you two.”

  “We missed you too,” she said, hugging him as much as she could with Jeremy between them. “I was just making supper. Are you hungry?”

  “I didn’t get much to eat, so yes.” He set Jeremy down and took off his coat and hat.

  “It’s nothing fancy. Just sandwiches,” she warned.

  He put up his holster on the hook next to his coat and hat. “After eating nothing but beans and jerky, sandwiches will be a treat.” He turned to them and gave them another hug. “It feels so good to be back home.”

  She laughed and hugged him back. “It’s nice to have you home.”

  “I finished the dog house,” Jeremy said.

  “With a little help,” Jenny whispered, holding onto Owen’s waist.

  He put his arm around her waist and asked Jeremy, “Does the dog like it?”

  “Sure does. He slept in there last night,” Jeremy answered. “Want to see it?”

  “You bet I do.” He turned to her and kissed her again. “I’ll be right back.”

  Sighing, she released him. She didn’t want to let him go but figured it was for a good cause. “Alright. But you better hurry back.”

  “Honey, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” He let go of her and put his coat back on. “You’ll need a coat too.” He handed Jeremy his coat.

  “I’ll have sandwiches done by the time you return,” she promised.

  “Sounds good.” He gave her a wink before he followed Jeremy out the front door.

  ***

  Jenny groaned as Owen deepened the kiss. She didn’t think Jeremy would ever get to sleep. But he finally did, and now she had Owen all to herself. Alone in their bedroom...and being able to do what she’d been aching to do ever since he came home.

  How she missed this. Having his hands caress parts of her that made her body tingle in places no one else was allowed to touch. Having his lips travel down her neck. Having his tongue tease her as it lightly traced her ear. She shivered in delight and ran her hand down his chest until it settled on his erection. Even through his pants, he felt wonderful.

  He moaned and pulled slightly away from her. “We need to get out of these clothes.” Bringing his hands up to her shirt, he began to unbutton it.

  She undid his belt and pants. Sliding her hand under the soft fabric of his underwear, she stroked him. “Hmm... I missed you.”

  “Not as much as I missed you, I bet.” He finished unbuttoning her shirt and cupped her breasts through the thin chemise. “You feel good, Jenny.”

  She kissed him. Her tongue ran the length of his lower lip until he opened his mouth and let her in. It seemed like weeks instead of days since he’d last made love to her. Her body ached for him. All her years of celibacy were quickly catching up to her. As much as she hated to break the physical contact with him, she withdrew her hand from his pants so she could shrug off her shirt.

  She let out a contented sigh as he kissed her neck. “Owen,” she murmured. Owen Russell. Not Irving ‘Owen’ Spencer. But she got to meet Irving, albeit briefly, and knew Owen Russell was better suited for her. Jenny Russell. That was the first time she thought of her new last name and she liked it. Mrs. Owen Russell. She wanted to make love to him as Jenny Russell instead of Jenny Spencer.

  She broke contact with him to fully undress. Ev
en though the room was chilly, her flesh was warm under the appreciative stare of her husband. Giving him a coy smile, she asked, “Like what you see?” knowing full well that he did.

  “What’s not to like? You’re perfect.”

  “Oh, Owen. You know all the right words to say.” She settled on the bed and raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to stand there watching me all night or are you going to join me?” She patted the spot next to her.

  He blinked, as if he hadn’t considered the possibility, and shrugged out of his clothes before he got into bed next to her. “I have to admit this gets more and more exciting each time we do it.”

  She giggled and drew him closer to her. Without giving him a chance to say anything else, she brought her lips to his and wrapped her legs around his waist. “I need you,” she whispered and wiggled against him.

  He entered her and groaned. “I missed you, Jenny.” He reached for her hands and clasped them over her head.

  She moved her hips, thinking of how good it felt when he was inside her. He moved in rhythm with her. The ache grew stronger, and she figured she should take her time to savor each thrust but her body wouldn’t have it.

  She rolled on top of him and sighed in pleasure. Lovemaking had been incredible in the past, and this time was no exception. She reached the peak sooner than she anticipated. Her body tensed as she cried out, and shortly, he joined her.

  They remained still for a few moments, and she delighted in each lingering wave that went through her until she was satisfied. She looked down at him and saw that he was smiling at her. Smiling in return, she leaned forward and kissed him, this time gentle and slow.

  “You sure are one passionate woman,” he murmured as he squeezed her hips.

  “It helps to have something to be passionate about.” She got off of him, grabbed a blanket, and snuggled against him.

  He wrapped her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, Jenny. I want you to know that no matter what happens when Big Roy gets to town, that I love you, Jeremy, and the baby.”

  She lifted her head. After the wonderful moment they’d just shared, he thought to bring up something this dismal? “Don’t think that way. You’ll help Irving get him. Then you’ll come home and spend the rest of your life making love to me.” When she saw the worried look in his eyes, she continued, “Think positive, Owen. You can do it. You just have to start believing in yourself. When you won your aunt’s money back, what were you thinking?”

  “That I didn’t have any choice but to win. I couldn’t let Aunt Rachel down.”

  “Then think of how much Jeremy and I need you. You have no choice but to win this time too.”

  “You’re right.” He gave her a slight squeeze. “I will.”

  She settled her head on his chest and closed her eyes.

  “I will,” he whispered.

  ***

  Owen was on his way to meet up with Irving for another round of shooting when he ran into Jenny’s brothers. His steps slowed as he approached the jailhouse. He thought of getting right back on his horse and heading back to the safety of his home where Jenny had managed to keep her kin at bay.

  This was ridiculous. He couldn’t hide behind a woman’s skirts for the rest of his life—even if they were his wife’s...and even if his life might be cut short by Big Roy. He took a deep breath. Nope. It was time to be a man and confront four brothers who still looked angry.

  “Are you aware that people are saying you’re daring Big Roy to find you?” Richard asked, his arms crossed.

  Owen’s jaw dropped. “Wh-what?”

  “I don’t think it’s wise for you to brag on how you outwitted him.”

  “I’m not bragging!” Like he’d ever evoke the wrath of Big Roy! “Irving Spencer let me out of jail in hopes that he’d come to kill me. It’s not something I’m looking forward to.”

  Tom rubbed his chin. “He does look scared.”

  Joel nodded thoughtfully. “Kind of like a mouse being chased by a cat.”

  Owen wiped his forehead. Even when a layer of fresh snow covered the ground, he could break into a sweat. “Who’s saying that I’m boasting like that?”

  “Just about everyone,” Richard said.

  Dave furrowed his eyebrows in concern. “Do you need to sit down? You look pale.”

  Owen drew a shaky breath and sat on the bench in front of the jailhouse. “Look, I love Jenny. I’m not going to leave her. I know I married her for the wrong reason, but I’m not sorry I married her.” He shook his head. “If I didn’t want to stay with her, I would have left. I’m not sticking around because I’m looking forward to seeing Big Roy again.”

  “I think he means it,” Dave said.

  “It does look like it,” Tom replied.

  “Maybe we should go easy on him,” Joel added.

  Richard gave a slight nod, as if his decision settled the matter, and said, “Alright. I believe him too.”

  Owen hid the urge to roll his eyes. He couldn’t stand it when people talked about him as if he wasn’t there.

  As if Owen hadn’t just heard them, Richard leaned forward and said, “We believe you.”

  “You don’t hear the rumors about you?” Joel asked.

  Owen gritted his teeth. “Well, I’ve been in prison up until yesterday.”

  “That is true,” Richard said. “Just so you know, word is that you’re bragging on how you outsmarted Big Roy. Apparently, you have a stash of the money you won in the game hidden somewhere around here.”

  The blood drained from Owen’s face. Big Roy thought he had the money? He tried to swallow but his throat was too dry. This was worse than he thought! Big Roy would be coming after him for sure!

  Joel grabbed him by the shoulder to steady him. “Hey, you aren’t going to faint, are you?”

  “I thought only women fainted,” Richard said.

  “Well, he is wanted by a notorious murderer from the south,” Tom replied. “And it’s obvious he’s not ready for what’s coming. I heard he can’t shoot a target to save his life.”

  Owen didn’t think it was possible, but this made him feel even worse. That piece of information was going around town too? Oh God, I’m a sitting duck!

  “Great,” Richard grumbled. “This is a fine how-do-you-do. He got Jenny in the family way and now he’s going to get himself shot!” He glared at Owen. “Couldn’t you have at least pretended to be Irving in all situations? Then she wouldn’t have another mouth to feed.”

  Dave tapped his older brother on the arm. “To be fair, it should have occurred to her that something wasn’t right.”

  “I don’t get it,” Joel whispered. “How can someone as big as Irving not—” he glanced around—“you know.”

  “What?” Tom asked.

  “Are you kidding me?” Joel turned to Tom. “You still haven’t figured it out?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Richard inserted. “What matters is what we’re going to do with Owen’s dead body and how we’re going to help Jenny out. You know how proud she is. She rarely accepts help from anyone.”

  “Just dump him out in the fields and let the animals get him,” Joel said.

  “No,” Dave replied. “We need to bury him. It’s not right to let a corpse rot like that.”

  “I guess we can dig a hole in the ground.” Joel snapped his fingers. “We’ll do it on Neil’s property. No one cares about going out there anyway.”

  Owen bolted to his feet. “I’m not dead yet.” He shook his head. “I mean, I don’t plan on dying.”

  They looked at him, as if suddenly remembering he was right in front of them.

  “A bunch of fine brother-in-laws you all turned out to be!” Owen huffed. “I got away from Big Roy once and I’ll do it again.”

  Richard frowned. “By running off to another town?”

  “If I have to.” Before they could protest, he pointed a finger at them. “But I’ll take Jenny and Jeremy with me.”

  Irving opened the door to th
e jailhouse and stepped outside.

  They immediately stopped and turned to him.

  “Time for shooting practice,” Irving told Owen.

  “Like it’ll do any good,” Joel muttered.

  Owen decided he’d had enough. “For your information, I can handle myself just fine. I’ll survive this. And when I do, I’ll be ready to accept all of your apologies.” Grunting, he strode over to Irving and glared at them. The nerve of the lot of them trying to off him before his time! Sure, Big Roy might get him, but he didn’t need Jenny’s brothers arranging his burial, as dishonoring as it was.

  Irving patted Owen’s shoulder. “I assure you that I’ll be here when Big Roy comes. I won’t let him die.”

  Owen winced and rubbed his shoulder.

  The four brothers glanced uneasily at Irving before they agreed with him and quickly headed off.

  Owen wished he could get rid of them that easily. But no. He had to be lanky and short which made them feel justified in giving him a hard time. At least Jenny liked him the way he was.

  “Ready to go to the shooting range?”

  Owen nodded. Pulling his coat tighter around him, he followed Irving to their horses.

  Chapter Twenty

  It was a week later when Big Roy finally arrived in Omaha. And Owen had just finished breakfast when the fateful knock came at the door.

  He put his napkin down and went to answer it. “Amos?” he asked, surprised to see the boy with his two friends standing on his porch, holding fishing rods. “Isn’t it a little cold to be fishing?” It was December after all.

  “Big Roy’s in Omaha,” Amos said, looking unusually excited by the prospect.

  Owen’s eyes grew wide. “How do you know this?”

  “We saw him. Oh, he’s big and angry alright. He was asking where you were.”

  “You didn’t tell him, did you?” Owen demanded as he watched the boy practically dance with glee. Was everyone but Jenny and Jeremy eager to send him to an early grave?

  “Course not! We’d never do that,” Amos assured him. “In fact, no one’s telling him anything. But Irving wants you down at the jailhouse.” Amos motioned to his fishing rod. “You don’t need to worry about a thing. We’re ready to help you!”