The Sheriff and the Redhead

By Susan Horsnell

Eric is the love of Penny's life, her one and only.

So…. Why does she marry his best friend?

What happens to place her daughter, Larissa in danger?

Can Eric save her?

Will these two finally find happiness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lipstick Publishing
• Release date: Sep 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223800583

Susan Horsnell

I’m an Australian author who lives in Queensland when not travelling and I write in a variety of Romantic sub-genres, including Western,  Historical, Gay, Mafia, and Contemporary Romance.  I have published over 60 books and novellas, many of which feature strong, independent heroines and rugged, alpha male heroes. Some of my popular series include the Outback Australia series and The Carter Brothers series. My books are known for their well-researched historical details, vivid descriptions of the Australian landscape and real life experiences. My work has garnered praise from readers and critics alike, and I have been a Finalist in both the Rone Awards and Laramie Awards as well as being a multiple times International Bestselling Author and USA Today Bestselling Author. If you're interested in learning more about my books:  Linktree https://linktr.ee/SusanHorsnell   

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Copyright © 2017 by Susan Horsnell

The right of Susan Horsnell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000

All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical or mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

Written by Susan Horsnell

Edited by Redline Editing

Line Edit by Robyn Corcoran

Cover by JoAnne Durgin from JoAnne’s Book Cover Design—

https://www.facebook.com/groups/498063795303264

Published by Lipstick Publishing

ABN: 573-575-99847

Disclaimer

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental or historical. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously.

Chapter One

Bare

North Wyoming 1870

Penny sighed as Eric released her from the searing kiss. She loved this man with all her heart and knew he must love her. A man wouldn’t kiss a woman the way he did if he didn’t cherish her.

What are you thinking, honey? Eric asked.

I was thinking about how good I feel in your arms. I know what we just did would be considered wrong, but it felt so right.

Regrets?

Not at all. Penny had never felt as wonderful as she did now. She had become a woman and given her innocence to the only man she would ever love.

I should get you home. Eric started to rise from where they had made love on the blanket, but Penny held him tight. We have to go, honey. It’s past midnight, April and Mitchell will worry.

Penny’s family had returned to their native Ireland, and the Kelly’s had been kind enough to give her a home. They treated her like a member of their family.

They know I’m safe with you. Can’t we stay for a while longer? Please? Make love to me again. She placed her finger into the deep cleft in his chin.

Eric found it difficult to refuse Penny. Hell, she had managed to talk him into making love to her on a blanket by the river. Twice already!

He had always promised himself, he would take her innocence in their marriage bed. Slowly, seductively. He knew he was well endowed and hadn’t wanted to hurt her.

Their lovemaking had been frantic, like trying to tame a wildcat. A wildcat who was possessed. She’d had no trouble taking him. His gal was going to be a handful in bed and he looked forward to it.

Penny was the most beautiful girl Eric had ever set eyes on. Their attraction to each other had been instantaneous.

She was tall, only a few inches shorter than his own six feet one inches, with curves where they should be. Her sparkling blue eyes captivated him and he loved the feel of her silky hair as it slipped through his fingers. Her hair lay around her shoulders, tangled, with pieces of grass caught within the luxurious curls.

He leaned forward and captured her lips in another bone-melting kiss. We have to go. I start work in a few hours.

Penny grumbled but allowed her lover to stand and perused his magnificent body..

Eric was a tall man, handsome and well-muscled. His stormy gray eyes hid nothing as the color changed to reflect his emotions.

She watched as he covered his sensuous body with clothes. It was almost sinful to cover such male perfection, but she wouldn’t like any other woman to see him in all his glory.

It was hers, and hers alone to worship. She had loved seeing him naked. It seemed like she had waited forever for tonight and she wanted to lie and bathe in the after-love glow for as long as she could.

Penny, please. Eric held out his hand.

She reluctantly stood and allowed him to help her dress.

~*~

Eric strutted into the jail the following morning, his chest puffed out like a rooster, a triumphant grin on his face.

Good night, boss? Zac, his Deputy, asked.

Why do you ask?

I can see it all over your face. Zac smirked when Eric reddened. John Pringle is in your office.

What’s he doing here?

Don’t know. He didn’t say.

Eric frowned. Make a pot of tea and bring it through, please.

Eric strode to his office. John Pringle, a Pinkerton Agent, stood and shook his hand.

Eric.

John.

Both men sat. Eric in the chair behind his desk.

What can I do for you, John?

I have a sensitive case which needs to be investigated, and I’d like you to take care of it for me.

Why? You have plenty of agents.

No-one I trust like you.

Eric had worked for the Pinkerton Agency before becoming the Marshall in Bare. John had been his partner, and a trusted friend. He wasn’t sure he wanted to get tangled up in the intrigue again, but he decided he would hear John out.

He owed him that much after he had pulled his backside out of trouble on the last case they’d worked on.

It was after the case that had almost cost Eric his life, he had decided to accept the offer of becoming a lawman in a small town.

It had been the best decision of his life. He had met the love of his life – Penny. That had been almost a year ago, and he didn’t want to leave her, especially now.

John explained he needed a man to go undercover to acquire information about an illegal liquor enterprise in Chicago.

The agency needed someone the Chicago mobsters didn’t know. Someone who could worm his way into their business without being suspected.

Eric had always worked undercover so wasn’t well known outside a small number of agents and lawmen.

He understood why John needed him, but the case could go on for two to three years, maybe longer and, he didn’t want to leave Penny. He certainly