Cowboys & Kisses

"I think there's something wrong with you. You told the man I was your wife!"
His brows went up and he grinned, showing me a flash of straight white teeth and his dangerous dimple. "I did." When I continued to just glower at him, he continued. "He wouldn't have just handed you over to me, especially since you practically unmanned him. I had to claim you."
"You did not have to do any such thing. Dragging me bodily from the building would have been sufficient."
"Don't worry, I still intend to do that," he vouched. "Let's go."
He took my arm and led me down the stairs, across the saloon and out into the dark night. I kept my head down and remained as close to Chance's side, having no interest in remaining within a moment longer. The air was cool and fresh and I was relieved that he'd saved me. I knew how close I'd come to a dire situation and I would thank the man readily enough, but I was still fuming over his tactic. I was not his wife, nor remotely insane.
I was lost in my thoughts and only realized we'd stopped when Chance knocked on a door to a small house. Looking around, I noticed we were just off the main thoroughfare beside the jail. After a moment, the door opened.
"Good evening, Sheriff," Chance said to the man, removing his hat.
Sheriff! "You're going to have me arrested? You are the one not right in the head, Chance Goodman!" I stepped back from him, shaking my head.
The sheriff stepped out of the doorway, the soft yellow light from inside his small home illuminating the three of us.
"I should have you thrown in jail for your own protection, but no. No jail for you," Chance replied.
"Miss." The sheriff nodded his head in my direction, and then looked to Chance. "Goodman, it's been a long time. What can I do for you?"
"I'm in need of your services," Chance replied. He was going to have me arrested. The gall of the man! "As Justice Of The Peace."
I froze at his words. Justice Of The....
The sheriff grinned.
I frowned. "You really want to marry me?" I pointed at Chance. "It was just an excuse to get out of that bad environment."
"Bad environment?" He shook his head, taking a moment. "You were on the second floor of the saloon, Rose, with a man who had plans for your person that were less than consensual." Chance shook his head slowly, his eyes on me. "Oh, no. You need a keeper, and as I told the bastard you would be punished. I don't have any right to punish you, Rose, unless you're my wife."
"You're going to beat me?" I countered. "Sheriff, did you hear that? He's going to beat me."
The older man's hands went out in front of him in surrender, but remained quiet.
"I'm not going to beat you," Chance replied with a weary sigh, took his hat off and ran his hand through his unruly hair. "I protect what's mine. You're mine, Rose. Always have been. I'll even protect you from yourself."
My mouth fell open. You're mine, Rose. Always have been. Those words spun around in my brain making me dizzy.
"Let's get this done, Sheriff."