Free Angel and the Texan From County Cork (The Brides of Texas Code Series Book 3) by Carra Copelin

porch.
    Marshal Handley stopped beside his horse and took something from his saddle bag. “Oh, I forgot to bring these in to you earlier.” Walking back to the porch, he handed Angel a small bundle of letters tied together with twine.
    “Thank you, Marshal. I haven’t been in to town to get our mail in a while and didn’t think of it the other day.”
    “You’re welcome.” He tipped the brim of his hat between his thumb and forefinger. “I’ll be in touch with my findings.”
    Jamey watched until Marshal Handley and Doc Fraser were mere pin dots on the road that led from their cabin to the main road to town. He dreaded facing her about Will’s horse. Yes, he should’ve told her what he’d seen but he felt she’d experienced enough for one day. Now she was surely hurt that he hadn’t told her or was just plain mad.
    Like dealing with the women in his family, he was better off talking things over with her sooner than later. He braced himself to explain, but when he turned to face her, she had disappeared inside the cabin. Not knowing if this was a good or bad sign, he opted to work on his outside chores to give her a little more time.
    He heard the voice in his head echo “coward” as he walked around to the wood pile. He couldn’t call this his finest hour.
     
    ***
     
    Angel dragged both tubs in turn through the front door and onto the porch. With no small amount of effort, she managed to dump the used water off to the side of the porch so ice wouldn’t form around the entrance. That was a chore she should’ve saved for her husband when he got back to the house. But she was so upset with him, she’d needed to work off her mad.
    She thought longingly about that bath she’d promised herself but her displeasure with Jamey not telling her about Bull just wouldn’t allow her to enjoy it. Back inside the warm cabin, she picked up the bar of soap, closed her eyes, and smelled the heavenly fragrance one more time.
    “If ye’re not careful, ye’ll sniff all the pretty right out of it.”
    “Oh, good gussie, Jamey, you scared me to death!”
    He chuckled and reached for her. “Sorry, Colleen.”
    Twisting away, she faced him. Her anger simmered so close to the surface she wouldn’t have been surprised if steam hadn’t come out of her ears. “Why didn’t you tell me Curly Radley was riding Will’s horse yesterday?”
    “I was goin’ to, but ye were so upset after he left, I thought it best to wait until a better time.”
    She crossed her arms and stared at him. “Do you think me weak and unable to handle adversity?”
    “Far from it. Ye’re one of the strongest women I know.” Reaching out, he took hold of her hand. “If we were given the opportunity to relive yesterday though, I’d make the same decision.”
    She didn’t know what to do with that statement. To her mind he still thought her mentally weak. Taking back her hand, she picked up the bundle of mail. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to read these now.”
    “I just came in to let ye know I’ll be finishin’ up outside before I come in for the night.”
    “Fine.” He could take as long as he wanted for all she cared. “We’re not finished with this conversation.”
    “Fine.”
    She jumped when he pulled the door shut behind him with a thunk. She closed her eyes at his show of Irish temper. He hadn’t yet seen the full scope of her own temper or stubborn nature.
    Closing the door to the bedroom, she sat on the bed and flipped through the stack of letters. The top one was from a law office in Dallas, “ARCHER BENNING ASSOC”. She recognized the name of Benning as that of Will’s friend and Jamey’s brother-in-law. The next one was smaller in size and addressed to Will by Will. She ran her fingers over the scrawl, wondering what he would have sent to himself. But the letter she opened first came from Ohio.
    Eagerly, she tore open the envelope and skimmed quickly over the pages promising herself to go back later and savor