Keegan's Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas 2) (12 page)

Cinders shrugged. “Not intentionally but she named them and we figured…”

Peg ran to the back of the wagon with Keegan at her heels. “Cin One and Cin Two,” she announced proudly. “They are my bestest friends.”

Addy had to cover her mouth to stop laughing. “They are cute.”

Keegan untied them and let them loose. “I suppose. Thanks for keeping her for the night. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Would you like to have a cup of coffee before you go, or I could make breakfast.”

“Thanks, Addy but we need to get back. Cinders and I have been up for hours. I’m glad you had a nice evening.”

Addy smiled at Keegan. “It was a very nice evening.” She blushed.

“We’ll be going,” Cinders said. “You did notice she named the goats after me didn’t you? Peg has good taste. See you soon.”

Keegan stood by Addy’s side with his arms around her waist as they bade the other couple good bye.

****

Addy and Peg waved as Keegan left for the day. It had been a week since their first night together. Their moments alone had been few, very few. Keegan got up early and came home late. The cattle took most of his time. It was their future, and she understood, but she wanted a bed for Peg. Swallowing hard she wondered if she should be thinking of such things. She bet the women she knew in Boston didn’t think this way. Good thing she didn’t live in Boston.

They hadn’t seen hide nor hair of the bear, but Addy still kept the rifle ready. Peg ran out into the yard playing with Kooky who was chasing Cin One and Cin Two. As far as Addy was concerned they looked exactly the same, but Peg knew which was which and so did Keegan. One was male and the other female but she refused to keep looking to see which was which. A smile spread across her face remembering how hard Keegan laughed when she told him so. What would it be like to carry his child? He was so good with Peg.

All in good time
. First a bed for Peg. “We’re doing the washing today,” she told Peg. The little girl stopped running, made a face and then continued to run. Peg wasn’t fond of getting washed and that was included in washing day.

She gathered wood for an outside fire. Keegan had cleared a spot for her to use. He’d even hauled water last night for her. After the fire was roaring she put the washtub on top and poured water in. It was hot exhausting work. She had a routine and as soon as each piece was hung to dry, she cleaned out the washtub and gave Peg a quick bath outside. Peg loved the part of being unclothed outside but she didn’t like to have her skin and hair scrubbed. She shrieked.

It looked as though each animal stopped what it was doing and stared at Addy. “It’s just a bath,” she told them. Good Lord, Peg had a way with those creatures.

A horse and rider appeared in the distance, and Addy grabbed the rifle. It wasn’t Keegan, she knew him from a great distance. “Peg, please take Kooky inside and wait there until I come get you.”

“No.”

Addy closed her eyes. “Peg, this isn’t up for discussion. In the house now!” Peg scurried into the house and closed the door. She hadn’t watched Peg go into the house but she did notice Cin One and Cin Two weren’t anywhere to be seen. She didn’t have time to worry about the house. The man riding toward her looked a bit rough.

He stopped his horse in front of her and spit onto the ground. He eyed her up and down and gave her a leering smile. “I’m looking for Keith Summers.” His voice was gravely.

She stared back at the filthy, unkempt man. “I don’t know a Keith Summers. I’d be obliged if you went on your way.”

“Is that right? What about Keegan Quinn? Do you know him?” The stranger smirked showing his toothless gums.

She put the butt of the rifle against her shoulder. “Just tell me why you’re here before I shoot you.”

“I doubt you can even shoot that rifle.”

“I’m not wasting a bullet showing you.”

“He’s wanted for murder. You his wife?” Her blood chilled.

“I’m afraid you have the wrong place. You don’t look like a lawman.”

He spit on the ground again. “I ain’t. He’s got a bounty on his head, and I aim to collect it. Where is he? Dead or alive, it doesn’t matter to me.”

Breathing deeply to remain calm she shrugged. “Like I said he’s not here. You’ll have to keep on riding. There is no Keith or Keegan here.”

He squinted at her. “You’re not Mrs. Summers or Mrs. Quinn?”

“I’m not. Now I’m asking you nicely to move along.” He gave her a long hard stare before he turned his horse around.

“Tell your husband I’ll be back.” He rode off.

She kept the rifle trained on him until he was out of sight. How was she to warn Keegan? Why hadn’t she insisted on getting another horse? Her heart sank.

“Mama, Cin Two is trying to eat your dress!”

“I’m coming.” She prayed with each step that the Lord would keep Keegan safe. She entered the house and gasped. The goats had only been in the house for a few minutes. One was most certainly trying to eat her dress while the other lay on the bed, chewing on a pillow. Kooky lay by the fireplace wearing an
it wasn’t me
expression. She grabbed a cloth and starting waving it at the goats shooing them out. They proved to be a bit stubborn. Finally she grabbed the broom and helped them along until they were both outside.

“We love Cin One and Cin Two, don’t we, Mama?” Peg hugged her around the waist and Addy couldn’t resist the little imp. She picked Peg up and hugged her.

“Yes we do, but not in the house.”

Peg nodded. “Messy.”

“Yes, very messy.”

Cleaning didn’t stop her from fretting. What if that man hunted Keegan down on the range? Perhaps he was watching the house, waiting for Keegan to come home. She needed a plan but for the life of her she couldn’t think of one.

She put Peg down for her nap and gathered the clothes off the line. The more she thought about it she became sure if Keegan rode into the yard he’d be shot down. She needed a way to signal him. Taking the clothes inside, she racked her brain for a solution. It came upon her as she folded the clothes.

She took some ash from the hearth and mixed it with a bit of water. Using her fingers she wrote
K- Danger- Bounty Hunter Here- GO!
On her chemise. She went over it a few times making it darker and strolled outside to the clothesline. She wished her hands would stop shaking, afraid she’d be shot in the back. She hung a petticoat with the chemise on top, the warning pointing away from the front of the house and hopefully that awful man. She hurried inside and waited.

****

Enough of living like a monk. He’d make a comfortable spot in front of the fire for the two of them. He needed her, and it had been hell knowing she was in his bed but he couldn’t hold her. He loved Peg wholeheartedly but he was losing sleep over the situation. He hoped by coming home early he could talk Addy into lying with him. He’d seen the looks she gave him. Looks of longing. Tonight was the night. He urged Strike on. He’d just come over a hill on the west and stopped. No fire, his heart raced at the possibilities.

It was slow going down the hill, much slower than he would have liked, but it was getting dark and he couldn’t risk Strike. Finally halfway down he grabbed his rifle and got down off the horse. He’d make better time alone. He saw something flapping in the wind. It wasn’t like Addy to leave clothes on the line at night. After all, the bear hadn’t been found yet.

He crept up toward the line, feeling danger in his bones. The words written in ashes on Addy’s undergarments stalled his breathing. Damn, his worst fear, a bounty hunter. Were Addy and Peg safe? His Addy was quick-witted. Bending down, he picked a few wild flowers and tossed them near the clothes line. Hopefully Addy would see them and know he was fine. The distance back to the woods appeared long. Thank God, the sun had set and there was no lamp light spilling out from inside. He did see a candle lit inside, and it gave him hope his loved ones were fine. Slowly, crouching low he made it to Strike. Putting his hand over Strike’s muzzle he led him away, deeper into the woods.

“We have company and not the good kind.” He leaped onto the horse’s back and carefully rode toward Cinders’ ranch. He laid false trails and hoped he kept his real trail clean. He didn’t want to bring trouble to Cinders, not that he planned to stay there.

It took twice as long to get there but he couldn’t risk Strike getting hurt. He put Strike into a stall, made sure he had hay and water before sneaking over to Cookie’s small cabin. He knocked and Cookie opened the door grumbling about people with no sense of time.

“I need your help.”

Cookie didn’t say a word he just opened the door wide and closed it once Keegan got in. “I suppose you don’t want me to light a lamp.”

“A bounty hunter is after me, and I think he’s dug in close to my place watching the house.”

“What about those gals of yours?”

“That’s why I’m here. I’ll need someone to get them at first light.”

“Be right back. I’ll get Cinders. Don’t light the lamp in case you were followed.” Cookie made a beeline for the door and hurried outside.

In typical Cookie fashion he didn’t ask why the bounty hunter was there. Keegan sat in a chair as the enormity of his problem hit him. He’d never see Addy or Peg again. The truth would come out, and his shame would become theirs to carry with them every time they went to town. His heart twisted. What would become of them? They’d have to sell the land. Damn, he’d left her in a lurch.

He could trust Cinders to take care of Addy and Peg. Addy would pull her own weight to help out here. His heart squeezed. How was he going to go on without her? She’d become everything to him and now…

The door opened, and Cinders came in and sat down next to him. “What can we do to help?”

“I’m going to need you to look after Addy and Peg. Sell the land and give her the money. The cattle are worth something too.” A lump formed in his throat. “I don’t know where I’m going. I never should have involved Addy and Peg in my mess. I just wanted to have a wife and a family. I wanted to be able to settle down without looking over my shoulder. I’m wanted for murder. I killed my old man. He beat my mother to death and I…”

“I don’t need to know about your past. I admire you for the man you are. Of course we’ll do everything we can to help. I’ll have Shane look into it quietly and see if he can get this hunter off your trail.”

Swallowing hard, Keegan nodded.

“Shannon and Cookie are getting supplies ready for you. You take two of my horses with you. I’ll take good care of Strike. I think for tonight you can head up to the line cabin I have up to the north. I’ll have the hands ride back and forth over your trail. It’s hidden in the woods up there near the big canyon I’ve had you and the men drive the cattle to a time or two.”

“I never saw a cabin there.”

“That’s the whole point. Go past the left side of the canyon entrance. If you look close enough you’ll see what looks to be a game trail. Follow it and you’ll come to the cabin. It’s stocked.”

“I might be better off making tracks further west and changing my name.”

Cinders gave him a sad smile. “Maybe. Maybe not. I’m thinking about Addy and Peg. I’m sure the bounty hunter will stick around for a while, hoping you’ll need to see them. He’ll be busy watching while Shane is busy finding out if the wanted poster is still valid.”

“It stays valid for murder, Cinders.”

“Just humor me. We’ll drive a few cattle into the canyon at a time as I need to talk to you. It shouldn’t be more than a week or so for Shane to figure it out.”

He ran his fingers through his hair. “Won’t Shane arrest me?”

“I doubt it. He already feels bad for putting Addy in jail. If it sounds like he’s not on our side, I’ll ride out and tell you.”

Keegan sighed and stood. He waited for Cinders to stand and shook his hand. “I owe you a debt I can never repay. Tell Addy… Tell Addy I love her and little Peg. If the day comes and I flee for good, just tell her I’m dead. I want her to be able to remarry.” He choked up and tears welled in his eyes.

The door slowly opened, and Shannon snuck in. “I’ll make this brief. The horses are ready and the supplies are in your saddle bags. I will look after Addy and Peg.” She sniffled. “I swore to myself I wouldn’t cry. So take care, Keegan, and come back to us.” She hugged him and kissed his cheek before turning and running out the door.

“I’ll go after her. I don’t want anyone watching to wonder what’s going on. Take care.”

“I will, Cinders, thank you.”

Chapter Nine

It had been three days since Cinders had driven the wagon out to pick up her and Peg. Three, long, agonizing days. Addy missed Keegan like crazy, and she wasn’t sure how’d she go on. There was a great likelihood she’d never see him again. Her idea of killing the bounty hunter had been nixed.

The cow, chickens and goats had all been moved with them to Cinders’. It was good to have both Shannon and Ilene to lean on. The foreman’s house had been finished a few weeks ago, and she and Peg now lived in it with Ilene. It was a fine house with two separate rooms. Ilene insisted Addy and Peg take the bedroom for themselves. And another bed was added to the main room. It smelled clean like fresh cut wood.

No matter how busy she kept herself, Keegan was always on her mind. The fear of him being killed kept her up at night. The lack of sleep did nothing for her disposition and she tried her best to be patient with Peg. Ilene was a natural with kids and she helped a lot. She still didn’t have a husband, but she seemed content and wasn’t looking for one.

Shane talked to the bounty hunter, who made it no secret he was camping just over the property line. He watched them day and night. He followed them to town and he even had the nerve to enter the mercantile while they were in there. Edith shooed him out while Cookie stood next to her, his gun drawn.

“He’s a very rough man,” Edith said to Cookie her brow furrowed.

“I’m not sure why he hasn’t just moved on to finding another bounty. I suppose he figures if Addy and Peg are still in Asherville, so is Keegan,” Cookie replied.

Addy nodded. “Maybe Peg and I should go somewhere else.”

Cookie shook his head. “He’d just follow you. Anyway, you’re safer with us.”

“They certainly are,” Shannon added. “Peg, what about this color for your doll’s dress?”

Addy’s eyes widened. “I thought you were making the dress from scraps.”

“Oh, I am. I have other plans for the fabric but there will be plenty for a doll’s dress.”

“It’s purty,” Peg told Shannon.

“I’m going to run down to the sheriff’s office and check for news,” Addy said.

“No you won’t. That gunslinger will ride off with you if he gets the chance. Shane knows we’re here. He’ll be in when he can.”

“I can make some tea,” Edith offered.

Shannon smiled. “Sounds lovely, Edith.” She took Addy’s hand. “Come, let’s sit in those plush chairs Edith has and have some tea.”

She nodded, but she wanted to scream. Who drank tea when her husband was in danger? She sat when prompted, but her mind wasn’t on anything Shannon was saying. How could she act normal when everything was spinning out of control? What if she never saw Keegan again? How she wished he could put his strong arms around her and give her comfort. So much time together had been wasted because of her lies, and now…

“Here’s some tea. Addy dear, you look so drawn. Have you been taking care of yourself?” Edith stared at her. She woodenly nodded and accepted the cup of tea. The look of concern Edith and Shannon uncharacteristically exchanged didn’t go unnoticed. It only made her nerves more raw.

The bell over the mercantile door jingled, and she turned around. It was Shane, and he glanced around until he saw her. He walked straight to her. “I may have some good news.”

“Sit down, Sheriff,” Edith insisted.

Shane removed his hat and sat. “His father is alive but he’s blaming Keith, I mean Keegan for the mother’s death. The sheriff there said no one believes it of Keith, and they know his father was the real murderer.” He accepted the tiny china cup Edith handed him. “The old sheriff jumped the gun when he had the posters made. The problem is, once out there, it’s not an easy thing to get them back.”

“What do we do now?” Addy asked, her voice trembling.

Shane set the cup down carefully. “I did find some interesting information about the bounty hunter. He’s wanted for murder. A bit ironic if you ask me.”

“Can I shoot him? Is there a dead or alive wanted poster for him?” Addy asked.

Everyone turned and stared at her. “What? I’ll do whatever is necessary to protect my husband.”

Shannon nodded. “She’s absolutely right. Shane, can we shoot him?”

Cookie’s mouth opened and closed a few times. “You have both gone loco. Cinders wouldn’t want you talking about killing.”

“Phewy. He’d be right there behind me. Besides, I don’t need his permission to shoot someone.”

Shane stood. “Let me handle the bounty hunter. He’s more dangerous than he looks.”

“Dang, he must be meaner than a rattler then,” Cookie said.

It was all too much. Addy laughed. Then her laughter turned to tears. Tears fell as she covered her mouth to keep in her sobs.

Cookie patted her shoulder. “If it means that much to you, you can shoot him after he’s dead.”

Her tears turned into laughter once again.  “I’ll take you up on your offer, Cookie. I’ve never had friends like you before.”

“I’m a diamond in the rough,” Cookie said as he winked at Edith. “We’d best finish up the shopping. I want to get back to the ranch. We need to let Keegan know what’s going on, and no, you can’t go see him yet, Addy.”

Taking a deep breath she nodded and opened her arms to Peg. They weren’t out of the woods yet but the sun was shining through the dense leaves.

****

Surely cabin fever was a real thing. Being confined made him crazy. All he could think of were all the mistakes he’d made in life. So many of them. He’d hurt Addy and Peg. He hoped they were getting on all right. Cinders was a man of honor, and they were protected and cared for, that much he knew. He wondered about the heartbreak. Did Addy hurt as much as he did? Their future had looked so good and now, there wasn’t a future. He now knew why it was called heartbreak because that’s what it felt like. It felt as though something had actually torn his heart in half and run over it with a herd of cattle.

He looked down at the goat he was carving for Peg. He had a horse, a cow and a few chickens already made. He hoped after he was gone, they’d find them. Maybe it would be a blessing if the bounty hunter shot him dead. He wouldn’t have to live with an empty heart and soul for the rest of his life. He’d been on his own for years drifting, but he had never felt as alone as he had these past few days.

Maybe his time with Addy and Peg were all he’d ever had. He loved and was loved back. God, he missed her. Dead or alive, dead would be the best. No trial, no seeing Addy and Peg. It would just hurt them more. He’d wait another day or two then high tail it further west. He killed his father and it was a hanging offense. His physical being would go on but his heart would stay here with Addy and Peg. He needed to make something special for Addy.

He heard the signal. It was supposed to be a bird call but it sounded like anything but a bird. He peered out a crack in the wall and released a deep breath. It was Cinders. He braced himself for the bad news. He opened the door and closed it as soon as Cinders was inside.

“Just give me the bad news. I can take it.”

Cinders nodded. “I know you can.” He took his time glancing around the small cabin. “We have a solution.”

“So, this is goodbye.”

“Not so fast, Keegan. Your father isn’t dead.”

Chills ran through Keegan’s body. “What do you mean? Of course he’s dead.”

“Somehow he survived and blamed your mother’s death on you. It was the sheriff at the time who put out the wanted posters, but they were supposed to have been withdrawn.”

“I’m wanted for my mother’s murder then?”

“No, the new sheriff said he has reason to believe it was your father. No proof of course.”

“The bounty hunter left?”

Cinders shook his head. “He’s still camped by my house. Shane is going to have a talk with him in the morning. I headed up here. I had a feeling you were getting ready to leave.”

“It crossed my mind. Why wait until morning?”

“He wants to be sure the women and Peg are out of the line of fire. It just so happens he has a wanted poster on him.”

“What?”

“You live by the gun and that’s how you end up dying. I’ll be there to back up Shane.”

“Thanks, Cinders. I hope Peg hasn’t been underfoot.”

Cinders smiled. “They’re staying in the foreman’s house with Ilene. Everyone dotes on Peg. Everyone has been renamed by her. She’ll be happy to see you.”

“And Addy?”

“She tries to hide her pain, but she needs you. It’s hard but when she heard the news about the bounty hunter she asked if she could be the one to shoot him.”

Keegan smiled. “That’s my Addy.”

“Shannon offered to help. Stay safe.”

“You too, and thanks.”

Cinders nodded and left.

Keegan sank down into a chair as he absorbed the news. He was going home. He’d see Peg and he’d kiss his Addy again. It gave him something to hold on to. Shaking his head, he couldn’t get over the fact that his father was alive. If anyone needed shooting it was that piece of cow pie. He stood and began to pace. What if someone else got hurt? It was hard to sit by and allow someone else to fight his battles.

As soon as the sun set he lay on the small bed. He didn’t dare build a fire. He didn’t want to attract unwanted attention. He remembered how it’d been pure heaven to have Addy in his arms. He didn’t think his heart would begin to heal until he had her in his arms again. There were probably more posters on sheriff’s desks or in the hands of other bounty hunters. It would be selfish to go back. Hell, even Addy had found a poster. He wasn’t sure he’d go back or maybe he’d go back and get his affairs in order for Addy and leave. That would probably be best for everyone.

He woke the next morning wondering how things were going. He’d made his decision. Addy and Peg would never be safe as long as he was around. There’d always be another bounty hunter around the corner. He could ask Shane to look out for her. At one time, he’d figured Shane and Ilene would become a couple, but they didn’t show any interest in each other. He was a man of honor, and he’d go back for a bit. Damn, how he wished he could bury himself inside of Addy, but he couldn’t risk leaving her with another child to feed. Ranting and raging at his fate did little good. He’d been blessed and maybe that was all he was supposed to get.

After making coffee, he strolled outside with his coffee and rifle and sat beneath a low-hanging tree. From there, he had a great view of the trail leading to the line shack. His gut clenched. His friends were fighting his battle. It just didn’t sit well. He heard hoof beats and stared down the trail. When he spied the rider, his heart jumped and he whispered, “Damn.”

He stood and walked out from the trees and waited while Addy drew closer. She jumped down and ran to him. She nearly toppled him over as she threw herself into his arms. She kissed him and he allowed himself one more moment of pleasure before he hardened his heart. The kiss ended much too soon.

She drew back and searched his face. “You’re not hurt or anything?”

“I’m fine, Addy. What happened this morning?”

“Shane and Cinders got him while he was sleeping. He’s in jail, and you can come home. I’ve missed you so much.”

“You rode out here alone?”

“No, Rollo escorted me. He’s waiting at the bottom of the trail. He did say to take our time.” She gave him a sexy grin.

“No sense making him wait. He has his own work to do.” The disappointment on her face nearly killed him, but he walked away from her, saddled the horse and got the other one ready to go.

She waited by her mare, and he cursed. She needed a boost. He walked over, grabbed her around the waist and practically tossed her into the saddle. Her female scent intoxicated him. It made him more determined than ever to keep his distance. He marched over to his horse and mounted. “Let’s go.”

****

Addy rode, following Keegan. What had happened? She’d looked toward their reunion with great anticipation. Now, she didn’t know what to think. Where was the joy? All she’d ended up with was confusion and hurt. He hadn’t turned around once as they rode down the trail to the mouth of the canyon. By the time they met up with Rollo her heart hurt, and she had a time of it keeping tears from her eyes. Rollo had glanced from Keegan to her with a look of concern on his face but she ignored it.

While on the range she attempted to ride at Keegan’s side but he either sped up or slowed down so she couldn’t be next to him. Once again, Rollo gave her a questioning look. Hurt, she kept her gaze on the ground in front of her. How could things have changed so much between then in just a few days? Thankfully, the trip back to Cinders’ ranch didn’t seem as long as the one going out to see Keegan. Anticipation always made it seem longer.

When they rode into Cinders’ yard there were plenty of cowhands to greet them. Keegan didn’t even offer to help her off her horse, and her face heated as Adam finally came over and lifted her down. Peg came running out of the house and she held her breath. Surely he wouldn’t dismiss Peg…but he did. He patted her head and walked into the house. Addy knew the hurt on Peg’s face was a look she’d never forget. She squatted down and opened her arms to Peg, who was silent. Tears rolled down the child’s face but her shriek was gone.