The Lawman's Rebel Bride. Amanda Renee

had resulted in any long-term romances, but she’d learned to value her friendships and stand on her own. And until she saw the deed transferred into her name, she couldn’t afford to get her hopes up.

      Who was she kidding? She silently cheered behind the steering wheel of her truck, not wanting to startle Lillie. She was over the moon thrilled. Any attachments she had to that property had faded long ago. Or so she thought. This morning had been difficult. It was the first time she woke up on what should have been hers. Not that she’d gotten much sleep, and she lived in the stables, but it was close enough. And it stung.

      She drove onto Dr. Lydia Presley’s ranch and parked in front of the stables. It was strictly an ambulatory practice, but Lydia used the ranch as home base. Breaking the news to her friend and employer about her arrest wouldn’t be easy. Harlan hadn’t been the only one warning her to stay out of trouble.

      She reached over to the passenger side and unlatched the seat belt. “It was all worth it, wasn’t it, Lillie?” She lifted the carrier and climbed out of the truck. “Let’s go make sure you’re okay.”

      “Good morning,” Lydia greeted her from the supply room. “Is this our newest patient?” She peered in the carrier. “Wow, she is tiny. Let me take a better look at her.” The piglet squealed in Lydia’s deep, bronzed hands. “Shh. It’s okay, baby girl. I don’t like the look of this sunburn. She already has a blister forming.”

      “I’m estimating she’s only a couple days old.”

      “I agree. What did you name her?” Lydia placed the piglet on the scale.

      “Lillie with an i e. She reminds me of a pink lily-pad bloom.”

      “She’s close to the size of one of those flowers, too. Lillie only weighs 1.2 pounds. She’s severely underweight for a newborn commercial pig. Let’s start a round of antibiotics and treat the burn. We’ll vaccinate in three weeks and begin her boosters in four. You never told me how you acquired her.” Lydia raised one perfectly arched brow. “Or will my knowing make me an accessory after the fact?”

      “No, no, she’s been bought and paid for.” Belle gnawed on her inner cheek.

      “That’s good to know.” Lydia smoothed a light coat of ointment on Lillie’s back. “She’ll need this reapplied throughout the day. As soon as it looks dry again, apply another layer. Do you even have room for her at your apartment?”

      “Not quite. I got evicted last night.”

      “To be honest, I thought it would have happened long before now.” Lydia’s dense spiraled curls bounced as she shook her head. “Where are you staying?”

      “With Harlan.”

      “Harlan? The same Harlan who left you crying at the altar?”

      “I did not cry.” Her mind tumbled to push that day further into the past. She had relived it enough times over the last eight years.

      “Oh, honey, I was there and you not only cried, you ugly cried. When did this reunion happen?”