Free Keegan's Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas 2) by Kathleen Ball

dove.”
    “Oh, my.”
    “Oh, my, indeed. She knows she was wrong but she still keeps her distance and glares at me.” Peg ran over and lifted her arms to Shannon who picked her up and placed her on her lap. “She’s darling. How old is she?”
    “She’ll be two in a couple months.”
    “She looks a lot like you.”
    “She does look a bit like my side of the family. Her dark hair, she got from her father.”
    “How long were you a widow?”
    Addy glanced away. “Five months. My family was pressuring me to marry a vile man. I’m glad I’m here. Keegan is a wonderful man.”
    “More talk like that and I’ll need a bigger hat,” Keegan jovially said. “I came in to get Peg. I thought I’d take her with me to check on some cattle.”
    “I don’t think—”
    “Well only be gone an hour. There’s a canyon nearby, and I have quite a few stashed there. I just need to make sure they’re still there is all.” Keegan walked over and put his hand on her shoulder sending a tingling feeling through her body.
    “All right. Please be careful.” She stood and found herself much too close to her husband. Taking a step back didn’t help. She still felt the pull of him.
    “Kooky come too?” Peg asked as she put her feet on top of Keegan’s boots. She had to crane her neck to see him.
    “No, Kooky, but how about a horse ride?”
    “Yes.” She turned and went to the dog and gave him a pat on the head. “You be a good boy or else.”
    Both Shannon and Keegan’s eyebrows arched.
    Addy couldn’t quite meet their eyes. “She heard the same phrase said to her over and over from her father.”
    “She’ll be fine. Come on, Peg, we have a horse to ride.” Keegan bent and picked her up and walked out the door while she waved at them.
    “I’m glad you found Keegan. He’s a gentle soul. Truthfully, after the cattle drive last year, I expected him to move on. It came as a big surprise when he bought the land. Cinders and I couldn’t ask for a better neighbor.”
    “I’m glad I came to Texas. Oh, I almost forgot. I need you to explain biscuit making. I thought I had it right but they turned out as hard as rocks.”
    “I’d be glad to.” The easy kindness in her voice warmed Addy.
    A short while later, Addy waved goodbye to her friend. The only friend she’d had growing up was her sister, and after Sondra married she had isolated herself. It had been a lonely time, but now she had more friends than ever.

Chapter Four
     
     
    A lovelier sight he’d never seen. Both of his girls wore new dresses, standing in the sunshine while the breeze ruffled the hems. “Such beauty is good for the soul.” Addy’s face turned a lovely shade of pink.
    “That’s sweet. Thank you.” She put her hand on his arm, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his cheek. There was too much cheek kissing as far as he was concerned. He longed for her soft supple lips. He ached to have her in his arms, and he wanted to make her his. He bet her skin was soft and her breasts would look like heaven. She was driving him to distraction.
    “I think I’ll work on Peg’s bed today,” he said as he ran his fingers through his hair.
    “You’re done with making the shelter for the chickens and the cow?” Her weight shifted from one foot to the other. She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes.
    “It’s temporary shelter.” He sensed her fear. “Actually if you don’t mind I really need to ride the range and check on the cattle.”
    “Is that what you usually do when we’re not here?”
    He chuckled. “From sun up to sun down.”
    “Keegan, we don’t need watching. Don’t let us get in your way. I know your dream is to make the ranch successful. We’ll be just fine.” She didn’t look as confident as she sounded.
    “You’re sure?”
    “Go. We’ll be right here when you get back.”
    “I need to grab a few things and I’ll go. By the way, you made a good trade with Shannon. Honey traded for clothes, who’d have thought?”
    “It