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

William shouted.
    “Well?” Tears trailed down her face as she stared at him. She simply shook her head.
    “She’s my niece,” she whispered as she lowered her head.
    In that moment, he knew he loved her. Now while she stomped on his heart causing immeasurable pain. “You lied.”
    “Yes.” She didn’t look at him.
    He turned away. “Where’s Peg?”
    “Shannon took her and Kooky to our house. We thought it best until this was sorted out.” Cinders said.
    He nodded and walked out the door. He untied Strike’s reins and headed for the livery. He needed to let Strike get some rest. Able Bann, the livery owner, put Strike in a stall. “I’ll take care of him. The Paint on the end, you can borrow to go home.”
    “Much obliged.” He saddled the paint and left. It was slow going in the dark. He didn’t want to take the chance of the horse stepping into a hole and breaking its leg. It took most of his concentration to find a clear path. Once he was home, he unsaddled the horse and let him loose in the corral.
    Staring at the house made him ill. He went in anyway. At least there wasn’t much to pack up. It looked as though Peg’s things were gone.
    Pounding the wall, he squeezed his eyes shut. How could Addy have let him fall in love with her and Peg knowing it was all a lie? He sat on the bed, his heart shattered. He gave himself an hour to grieve for his family, and then he hardened his heart, swearing to never make the same mistake again.
    The fire needed starting and coffee needed to be made. He’d do that and go check on his cattle. He’d bring the paint back in the afternoon. He didn’t want to see Addy ever again.
     
    ****
     
    It had been one of the longest nights she’d had in a while. She paced all night, remembering the bleakness of Keegan’s expression. When he’d said he hated lies, he had meant it. She never thought he’d just walk away from her. Now she waited for him to return but as painful as it was, she had to admit he might not come back.
    With her back against the cold wall, she slid down to the ground, buried her face in her lap and cried. Peg would have to go back to her father. He’d take his anger out on his daughter. She’d have no one to protect her. All Addy had done was make things worse. She hadn’t saved Peg after all; she’d sentenced her to a life of hell instead.
    It didn’t matter what happened to her. What was the sentence for kidnapping? Hanging, she supposed. Wiping her tears, she realized, she’d do it all over again. Only she would have hidden Peg better. And she would have guarded her heart. It lay at her feet now, in too many pieces to count. Keegan could get an annulment since they’d never consummated the marriage. It would probably be for the best.
    The sun was slowly rising as Shane walked into the office. He’d been there most of the night but had gone home to change his clothes. She hated the pity she saw in his eyes, but at least he was a friendly face.
    “Good morning, Shane.”
    “Edith will be over this morning to help you change and the like. She offered to provide meals for us while you are here.”
    “That’s awfully nice of her.”
    “There are times I can’t figure her out, and then there are times she has the world’s biggest heart.”
    “She doesn’t like Shannon.”
    Shane sat at his desk. “I noticed that too. It’s none of my business. I try to stay out of things if I can. People are always trying to get me to take sides in the silliest of matters.”
    “Really?”
    “One rancher has a goat, another has a child who could benefit from the goat’s milk. The owner of the goat wants money for the milk and the father of the child can’t make ends meet. So, the owner of the goat wanted to press charges for non-payment of milk.”
    “How old is the child?”
    “Two months. His mother died in childbirth.”
    “That’s just plain sad. If cow’s milk would help we have a cow.” She swallowed hard and lowered her voice.