Free Shane's Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas #3) by Kathleen Ball Page B

“I was just trying to help you.  I figured you’d want to be sitting up while we have our conversation.  I’m sorry if I hurt you.” She walked to the other side of the bed and sat in the wooden chair.  “Really, Shane, you must do something about the furniture you have in your house.  It looks like a collection of pieces that someone was throwing away.”
    “The chair you’re sitting in was made by my friend Keegan.  He’s good at what he does.  Things are different out here.  This isn’t the South where everything was opulent.  Here we all have to carry our weight or we don’t eat.  It’s a different way of life, but I’m sure you’ll get used to it.  We’ll have a cow, some chickens, and a few pigs pretty soon.  We’re also going to put in a garden and grow our own food.  I know I can count on you to help.” He breathed in deeply trying not to laugh at the shock and annoyance on her face.  Did she think that white people didn’t work? If so she was in for a rude awakening.  He wasn’t sure he liked the idea of her passing for white.  People were bound to kill her if they found out.
    She pasted another fake smile on her face and nodded.  “Why a little farm sounds like fun,” she said in a syrupy voice.  “You do know that I always worked in the house, and I have no knowledge of critters or gardening.”
    Grinning widely Shane stared at her.  “Well it’s about time you learned.  How’s your cooking?”
    Lucy sputtered and shook her head.  “You have servants for that.”
    “They are not servants.  They’re friends who have hit a bump in the road.  We plan to work together to get the farm started.  I’m sure you can take turns cooking the meals, doing the laundry and anything else that needs doing.” Lucy narrowed her eyes and gave him a mulish look.  He could tell she was going to be nothing but trouble.  Lots and lots of trouble.
    Cecily poked her head in and caught Shane’s gaze.  “Are you hungry? We really should try to get some food in you.  And I also need to sponge you down, you still have a fever.” Lucy gasped and put her right hand over her heart.
    “I’d appreciate it, Cecily,” Shane said.
    Cecily nodded.  “I’ll be right back.” She gave him a sweet smile, and he couldn’t help but compare her genuine caring to Lucy’s selfishness.
    “You allow her to bathe you? Why that little hussy.  Just how long has she been working for you? It can’t be good for your reputation to have such a woman around.”
    A gasp came from the doorway.  Cecily stood there, looking wan.  Damn she’d heard Lucy’s words. 
    He smiled at her.  “Something smells good.”
    “Why, it’s my new perfume,” Lucy said. 
    Shane shook his head.  “I meant the food.” He watched as Cecily entered the room carrying a wooden tray laden with a light meal.  No matter what, Cecily brightened every room she entered and he admired her.
    “Lucy, would you mind moving so I can set the tray on the table?”
    Lucy hesitated so long Shane thought she would refuse. 
    At last, she stood with her nose practically in the air.  “I wouldn’t want to get in the way of your duties.”
    Cecily’s expression was cold as she put the food on the table.  She turned, ready to sit down and help Shane, but Lucy grabbed the chair, pulled it to the other side of the bed and sat.
    “I think I can take it from here.  I’d advise you to knock before you enter again.”
    It hurt that Cecily didn’t even glance at him for confirmation of Lucy’s words before she left the room.  Surely she must know Lucy’s words meant nothing.  He sighed of course she didn’t know and it was his fault for not setting things straight.
    “Lucy you can’t take it upon yourself to give direction to anyone in this house.” Her eyes narrowed as she nodded.  “I mean it.”
    “Yes, I’m sure you do.”
     
     
    ****
     
     
    Humiliation swept through Cecily, heating her face.  She sat down at