Catherine Snodgrass [Texas Br

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He nodded. Maybe. But I will tell you this much...if you can help
keep a man like Frank Jessop alive after what he did to you, you re a
better man than me.
Paul wrapped his hands around the doorknob and smiled. I always
was. Now& if you ll excuse me. He ducked into his room, shut the
door firmly behind him, and leaned against it. Old Paul rapped
persistently inside him. He wanted out badly. And he wanted out now.
* * *
Belle took her time riding to the Tanner ranch. There was really no
hurry. The boarders would eat tonight whether she came back or not.
Daisy was already elbow-deep in her famous corn chowder. She d top
it off with sourdough biscuits and hot apple pie. Belle s stomach
rumbled just thinking about it. She could get by in a kitchen, but she
sure couldn t make food sing the way Daisy and Grace did.
Thinking of her sister made her lonesome for her company. Funny
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THE MARRIAGE COMMITTEE
in a way. The older they got, the closer they became, and they d been
pretty close growing up. Belle remembered the day Grace had gotten
married and left home for good. She had cried herself to sleep that
night she d missed her sister so much. Who would have thought she d
be following her in less than a month? It had opened a whole new
wonderful world for her. Misery had turned to happiness Belle couldn t
put into words if she lived a thousand years.
That s why this recent unrest not only confused her, but it also bred
more than a little guilt. She had so very much to be grateful for. What
right did she have to feel something was missing? Maybe Doc s death
sparked these feelings a need to live life, embrace life in the face of
death.
Be happy. His last words to her. Until then, she d thought she was.
When his last breath had expired, Belle remembered she d turned and
buried her grief in the haven Paul s arms provided. Tears spent, grief
lingering, she had lifted her head from his chest a different woman.
Belle laughed out loud. Now she was being fanciful. Both horses
twitched their ears at the sound, but plodded onward. Nothing much
bothered those two old girls. She should take a lesson from them.
Their ears flicked around. Belle cocked her head to one side. She
heard it, too a rider coming up the road behind her at a steady trot.
She wrapped the reins around one hand and pulled her reticule close
with the other. Traveling alone probably wasn t the smartest thing
she d ever done. What if it was one of the Jessops? They were a
notorious bunch who wouldn t think twice about doing whatever it took
to get one of their own back.
Heart pounding in her throat, Belle tugged open the ties on her
reticule and pulled the pistol to her lap. At least she wouldn t go down
without a fight. She curled her fingers around the grip and waited. It
wasn t long before the rider was right behind her. The horse s step
slowed. She tightened her grip as the rider edged up beside the wagon.
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THE MARRIAGE COMMITTEE
Well, hello there.
Belle gave the rider a sideways glance. Cal Webster. What in the
world was he doing here? At least he d cleaned up since she d last seen
him and he was actually smiling. Without those scruffy dark whiskers,
her gaze was drawn to the hint of a dimple in his left cheek and the
sparkle in his deep brown eyes. She supposed he could be considered
good-looking, in an unrefined way.
What brings you out here, Mr. Webster?
Your cook told me you were headed out. I didn t think it was safe
for you to be alone.
Well, then I guess I won t be needing this. She slid the pistol back
into her reticule. As an afterthought, she curved an eyebrow his way.
Or will I?
He pressed his right hand over his heart. From me? Never.
Hmmm& somehow you make me question that, Mr. Webster.
Ah, heck, Belle. Call me Cal.
Why? Because all the ladies do?
His laughter was genuine, his demeanor more than a little charming.
He sat atop that horse like he was a part of it. Like he owned the world
and all it possessed. She could see why a lady would lean his way. He
moved under their defenses in the blink of an eye with that bright
smile, a few witty phrases, and the sheer maleness that poured from
him. Had they been on solid ground, Belle wouldn t doubt he d try to
subtly corner her for more intimate chitchat. He might be surprised to
find her reaction wasn t as agreeable as he hoped.
How is it that a woman as beautiful, as capable as you, is unspoken
for?
It certainly didn t take him long to overstep his bounds. His manner,
his attitude, the way he looked at her all were meant to convey desire.
Instead, she felt like she needed to toss on more clothes to keep his
gaze from touching her.
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THE MARRIAGE COMMITTEE
I hardly think my personal life is any of your concern.
He tilted a nod her way. Right you are, ma am. My apologies.
They rode in silence for a few minutes. Obviously, she d nipped his
poor attempts at flirtation in the bud and he couldn t think of anything
intelligent to say in its place. That was fine with Belle. As far as she
was concerned, he could rein his horse around and head back to town.
A gang of cutthroats would be easier to deal with than this man s
company. She chided herself for being so quick to judge. But his
overbearing nature made it impossible not to do so.
Another rider pounded up the road behind them. Cal whipped his
head in that direction. His hand fell to the pistol strapped to his side.
Then he relaxed.
Well, well. Looks like someone else was concerned for your
safety.
Belle twisted around in the seat and saw Paul barreling up the road.
His face was grim, set in stern lines normally reserved for only the
most wayward of his flock. His clerical garb was gone. That was
nothing new. Often when he rode or worked around the church and
town, he changed into more practical clothes. But somehow today he
wore the tan breeches, vest, and shirt differently. No, that wasn t quite
right. He was different.
He slowed and edged up to the right side of her wagon. His thigh [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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