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

tell you what I know.” He walked around his horse to stand by Jamey. “You didn’t waste any time getting the grave dug. Could you use some help?”
    “Sure’n I won’t be turnin’ any help away. I can use ye to get the body into the box and into the ground if ye have the time.”
    “I do.” He clapped Jamey on the shoulder. “While we’re working, I’ll fill you in.”
    Jamey rubbed his gloved hands together to rid them of excess dirt. “Much obliged. I’ve moved the wagon by the root cellar door to make it easier to carry Will out here.”
    “Let’s get to it.”
    Walking side-by-side, Jamey quizzed Marshal Handley. “You made it over to Moran’s ranch last night like you planned?”
    “I did. I talked to a few of the hands about Radley but nobody’s willing to speak against him.”
    “Was he there? What’d he have to say?”
    “Radley said the horse strayed up to Moran’s ranch with just a saddle and nothing else.”
    “No saddle bags, blankets . . . nothin’?”
    “Said he didn’t know where the horse had come from or who he belonged to.”
    “That’s a load of blarney, he—”
    Handley held up his hands, palms facing Jamey. “Take it easy, O’Donnell, I recognized Will’s saddle, too.”
    “What are ye going to do about it?”
    “Nothing I can do until I can prove he’s lying.”
    Jamey and Marshal Handley loaded the wooden box into the back of the wagon. When they were done, Jamey stood beside the wagon, his hands gripping the side wall.
    “Before we take the body to the grave, I should let Angel know you’re here and what ye know so far. I wish I had better news.”
    “So do I, but I may not know more until Moran gets back. He’s expected on the next train.”
    “Come on in for a bit and warm yerself for a bit.”
    “Thanks, I’d like that.”
    Jamey lost his footing as he reached the corner of the porch and he grabbed for the corner post. At precisely the same moment, he heard the sound of furniture hitting the floor. Handley must have heard it, too, for he pulled his gun. Jamey opened his coat and retrieved his own gun from its holster on his hip.
    He put his finger to his lips for quiet and motioned for Handley to go around the back of the cabin. He drew in a steadying breath. There was no need for him to check on the other side of the cabin where he’d found the horse the other day. Only one scenario came to his mind. Curly Radley was inside the cabin with Angel. His Angel. And the bastard had better not harm her.
     
    ***
     
    Angel had worked all morning cleaning, scrubbing, and polishing every stick of furniture, floorboard and dish. She’d even washed the soot off the lamp chimneys. The cabin had to be as perfect as she could make it for Cissie’s visit.
    She still couldn’t believe her best friend was coming to see her and might possibly be living close in the area. Just being in the same state was more than she could have hoped for. It was like she’d made this happen by thinking about her so much in the last few days. Granted she hadn’t arrived yet but she was close. Angel’s entire body hummed with her excitement over Cissie’s nearness.
    The aroma from the spice cake she’d put in the oven nearly an hour ago filled the cabin. It must be almost done. Between that and the pot of stew simmering on the stove, her house smelled like home.
    Jamey had been outside for hours and she’d tried hard not to think about what he’d been doing. She’d resisted looking out the window, but she’d heard the familiar sounds of a hammer and handsaw. At one point she’d even heard the shovel striking the frozen ground. Will Rivers would more than likely be buried today.
    Boots on the porch drew her thoughts away from the unpleasantness of a small funeral. She brightened at the thought of seeing Jamey. She wasn’t mad at him anymore. His actions, she realized, hadn’t been malicious or deceitful. For some reason she couldn’t figure out, he truly wanted to help and