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

must be some honey.”
    “It’s the best I’ve seen in years.” He walked to her and kissed her cheek, grabbed up a giggling Peg and kissed her cheek too. “You two stay out of trouble.”
    He saddled Strike, filled his canteen, grabbed some bread and dried meat, and strapped on his gun belt. Then he mounted his horse, checked the rifle, and rode over to say goodbye. “I’ll see you later.”
    They both waved at him and his heart warmed. He could get used to having someone waiting for him at home. He turned Strike and rode out. The wind against his face refreshed him. Addy was right, he needed to get back to ranching. A few days off was really a few too many. He wished he could hire some help, but it wasn’t in the plans for now. No cowhand would work for honey. He smiled. He’d given Shannon honey for free last time. She’d sewn the clothes out of the goodness of her heart. Imagine, Cinders was going to be a daddy. When Shannon told him, he’d wanted to ride over and congratulate him but for now they weren’t making it public. He never had understood the reasoning behind hiding a pregnancy.
    He slowed Strike as they neared the canyon. The herd wasn’t all there. Naturally some scattered but it looked to be more than half missing. “Damn!” He felt gut kicked. Where were his cattle? He turned Strike and spurred him on. He had a lot of land to cover, and he hoped he’d find them. Cattle rustling was a hanging offense. But only if the rustlers were caught.
    It took long grueling hours in the saddle, but he found them and rounded them up. He moved them to a different pasture. He’d move the rest tomorrow. They hadn’t been rustled after all, but why they’d scattered he had no idea. He was extra glad to know Addy and Peg were waiting for him at home.
    The sun was setting as he rode closer to the house. No smoke wound up from the chimney. His heart sank; it was too quiet. Jumping off Strike he raced to the house. No one was inside, not even Kooky. Fear settled upon him as he looked around. Finally, he saw the note on the table. Why he hadn’t seen it first off he didn’t know.
    It was from Cinders. He was needed at the sheriff’s office and Peg and Kooky were with Shannon. He’d meet him in town. What the hell ?
    Racing outside, he patted Strike’s neck. “I know it’s been a long day but I need you.” Strike looked him in the eye, and Keegan knew the horse’s heart was in it with him. An hour later he arrived in town, just as the dark of night appeared. He stopped in front of the sheriff’s office and jumped down. Racing inside he found the new sheriff, Cinders, and another man arguing while Addy sat on the cot in the jail cell.
    “What the hell is going on? Why is my wife locked up?”
    “Your wife, sir? She was promised to me.” The well-dressed, dark-haired man looked him up and down and, by his expression of disdain, found him lacking.
    “Yes, my wife.” Keegan widened his stance to shoulder width, ready to throw a few punches if necessary.
    Cinders stepped forward. “Keegan, hear the sheriff out.”
    He nodded. “Sheriff, my wife is sitting in one of your cells. Care to explain?”
    The dark-haired man spoke first. “Perhaps I’m in a better position to explain the crimes of your wife. ”
    “Who the hell are you?” It took every ounce of his being to restrain himself from beating the dandy into a pulp.
    “I am William Bartlette. Our Adeline stole my daughter, Margret, and took up with you.” He turned and glared at Addy.
    Keegan took a step back. “Whoa, what? Listen, Sheriff, I don’t know what this guy’s been saying but it’s a lie,” Keegan insisted, his mind reeling.
    “Call me Shane. I hate to say this but he seems to be telling the truth.”
    Keegan clenched his fists and walked to the cell. “Tell me it’s a lie.” His heart lay at her feet, and he waited for her to stomp on it.
    “I can explain.”
    “So, Peg isn’t your daughter?”
    “Her name is Margret,”