The Sheriffs Amnesiac Bride Linda Conrad
Table of Contents
Title Page
About the Author
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
Copyright
Linda Conrad was inspired by her mother, who gave her a deep love of storytelling. Mum told me I was the best liar she ever knew. Thats saying something for a woman with an Irish storytellers background, Linda says. Winner of many awards, including the Romantic Times BOOKreviews Reviewers Choice and a Maggie, Linda has often appeared on the Waldenbooks and BookScan bestseller lists. Her favourite pastime is finding true passion in life. Linda, her husband and KiKi, the dog, work, play, live and love in the sunshine of the Florida Keys. Visit Lindas website at www.LindaConrad.com.
Chapter 1
Shut up, lady. One of the two men in the front seat swung his arm over the seat back and smacked her across the cheek. Youre in no spot to argue. You say you cant remember? Well, that aint my problem.
The driver didnt turn around, but muttered, When we get back, the bossll make you talk. And he wont be as nice as we are. You took something that didnt belong to you, and thats a no-no.
Butbut I really cant remember. She rubbed at her stinging cheek. I dont even know who I am. Tears welled up and she fought the panic that was quickly crawling up her spine. She didnt dare cry. Hardly dared to breathe.
Caught in an internal struggle for clarity, shed been trying to bring up memories from her past. She was desperate to remember anything at all. Even her own name
escaped her, and it had been this way for what seemed like hours.
Where there shouldve been something, there was a huge void. Darkness. A little pain. But nothing even vaguely familiar.
She didnt have a clue as to why these men had forced her into the backseat of this speeding car. Or where on earth they were heading. Everything out the window seemed as alien as everything in her mind. She didnt know what she was doing here. Or who these horrible men were who kept insisting she tell them where it was.
The only thing she did know was that these two goons were carrying guns. Big ones. Theyd waved them at her when she tried to tell them she couldnt remember.
Oh, God, help her. She was going to die if something didnt give soon.
Putting her hands together, she silently prayed for a break. Some way of escaping this car and these two men.
As if God had answered her prayer directly, a church spire appeared out the front windshield. The car slowed.
What the hell is all this traffic about? The driver sounded irritated as he slammed his foot on the brake. It aint Sunday, damn it. Get out of our way, you idiots!
Oh please, let me find a way out, she silently begged. Let this be the time. Let this be a place where I can find sanctuary and someone who will save a desperate woman with no memory.
Then, quietly, an answer came to her from out of the emptiness in her mind. The Lord helps those who help themselves.
Sheriff Jericho Yates glanced up toward the Esperanza Community Church steps looming directly ahead and slowed his pace. He wasnt chickening out of his own wedding, but there was truly no sense in getting there before the bride-to-be would be ready to start.
Youre sure you want to go through with this, bro? Fisher, his older brother and the best man, slowed his steps too.
With a serious face but eyes that always seemed to be laughing behind his sunglasses, Fisher Yates, U.S. Army captain home on leave, rarely showed any emotion. But at the moment, it was Fisher who looked panic-stricken by the thought of this wedding.
Hell, yes, Im going through with it, Jericho muttered as an answer. I gave Macy my word. But I dont want to piss her off by showing up too soon. Weve been best friends ever since I can remember, and I couldnt hurt her feelings by embarrassing her like that.
Well, I remember when there were three of you best friendsback in the day. You and Macy and Tim Ward. I thought the whole idea of two guys and a gal hanging out and being so close was a little weird at the time. And sure enough, it was Macy and Tim that eventually got hitched. So what were you all those years? The dorky third wheel?
Jericho straightened his shoulders under the weight of his rented tux and rammed his hands into his pockets. He would not let Fisher get to him today. His slightly shorter big brother, who was only just now back from his third tour of duty in the Middle East, could be a pain in the ass. But Jericho felt he needed to make allowances for Fisherfor possible psychological problems. Or whatever.
He opened his mouth to remind Fisher that the three of them, he and Tim and Fisher, too, had all been half in love with Macy in high school. But then, Jericho thought better of jamming the truth in his brothers face right now. Tim had been the one to win the prize. Jericho also remembered that Fisher had taken off in a hurry to join the army after Macy picked Tim to marryand his brother had never looked back once.