Free Adam, Devils on Horseback: Generations, Book 1 by Beth Williamson Page A

intensity.
    “No, I haven’t,” Eve lied with all the innocence she could muster. She’d lived in Galveston for two years, working at a hospital. She’d had to escape after being discovered by a ghost from her past. The minister’s question made her wonder why he would pick that city, of all the places in Texas.
    “Hm, I suppose you have a face like someone I’ve met before.” He took her hand in one clammy paw. “Congratulations, Mrs. Sheridan.”
    “Thank you.” She managed to disengage her hand, move around him and rejoin her husband. She didn’t suspect the man of anything nefarious, but she was always on her guard. Eve couldn’t attend church, no matter if Adam did. People who tried to pry into her past were to be avoided. She would come up with some excuse for missing services.
    The day had ended with a wedding and the night would begin with a supper to celebrate the occasion. She wasn’t sure if she had been ready for either of them.
    Eve had very little she could call her own, except for a few articles of clothing, pieces of jewelry made from paste and a hat. The black rock Adam had given her now had a place of honor amongst her things.
    Moving into the Sheridan house had shown her how much she didn’t have. As Adam’s wife, she had been overwhelmed by his family’s generosity. They’d given her a dress to wear, walked her down the aisle and welcomed her into their midst.
    She still wasn’t sure of how all of them were related, but they certainly treated each other as the closest of family.
    * * * * *
    After everyone moved to the Sheridans’ house for a postwedding supper, she watched the Sheridans and their friends with the skill of someone used to observing. Eve knew how to fit in, how to mold herself into what others expected. These Tanger residents were like nothing she’d ever experienced.
    Gideon and Jake were the closest in looks, although one was a redhead and the other had curly brown hair. The other two were older blond men, Zeke and Lee, and definitely brothers, although Lee was missing most of his left arm. All their children knew each other and varied in ages from as young as Rose to early twenties. Some were married, but most were not. They all spoke to each other, but no one approached her.
    Eve was afraid to speak to anyone because she knew she was an imposter. A charlatan who had taken advantage of a man’s kind heart, no matter that she hadn’t planned on the theft. Survival required sacrifices and Eve had given many throughout her life. Today she would try to enjoy whom she’d become, Mrs. Adam Sheridan, even if it was a skin she could never get used to wearing.
    Adam’s mother and the other women had made coffee for everyone, and ham with bread had appeared on the table in the kitchen. It wasn’t much of a wedding supper, but there had been no time to prepare a proper meal.
    Mr. Sheridan left not long after everyone arrived. His expression was flat, which Eve hadn’t seen before. He was someone who smiled often and liked to talk. Today, though, he was quiet and withdrawn, which told her he still didn’t approve of the wedding. He appeared to accept it as inevitable but didn’t want to celebrate it.
    That made her sad and let a bit of regret dance around on her conscience. She pushed it aside. Today she survived and tomorrow she would thrive.
    Eve huddled in the corner of the kitchen and sipped at the hot brew. She watched the laughter, the genuine affection on people’s faces and the congratulations the cousins offered Adam. The aunts and uncles were more subdued, talking in low tones to each other. A few glanced at her with concern, but no malice or accusatory frowns.
    She managed not to cling to Adam, although it was a near thing. Eve wanted to hang on to him as an anchor in the unfamiliar sea in which she swam. She wasn’t afraid, just uncertain. He was easy to spot, tall and redheaded as he was. His laugh was deep and booming as one of his cousins said something