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

“Keegan has a cow. I don’t think there is a we anymore.”
    “Why don’t you try to get some rest?” Shane suggested.
    “No, what decision did you come to?”
    “Oh, well I suggested the baby and father move in with the rancher and help around the place as payment. The baby began to cry, and the rancher said forget it and rushed out. He is now giving the milk for free.”
    “You have a way with people.”
    He grinned. “I try.”
    The door flew open and Edith came in carrying a big tray. Shane instantly stood and rounded his desk, taking the tray from her.
    “My, Edith, this smell heavenly. Coffee too? I can’t thank you enough.” Edith blushed, and for once she was speechless.
    “I’ll be by to help you change clothes in an hour or so. What size dress shall I bring?”
    “I don’t have any money.”
    “Of course you do, Keegan has an account.”
    “I would never charge anything he didn’t approve.”
    “I’ll bring over soap and stuff for you to wash up with. I’m sure Keegan will approve when he comes to see you.”
    She smiled and nodded but, Keegan would never buy her a dress, or anything for that matter. Pride prevented her from telling Edith the truth. More lies. “Thank you. Edith, where is Mr. Bartlette staying?” It would serve him right if he had to stay at the saloon.
    “My dear, a lovely widow, Polly Noone, is renting him a room. I’ll be back later.” She sailed out of the office.
    Shane opened the cell door and brought her a plate of food and a cup of coffee. He closed the door behind him. “Before you ask, Polly and Mr. Bartlette should get on nicely. They are both arrogant people.”
    “But Edith likes her.”
    “Only because Cinders dated the widow for a while before he met Shannon.”
    “Oh.” They ate the rest of the meal in silence. She had just wiped her mouth with her napkin when the door opened again. This time it was Shannon and a shrieking Peg.
    “I didn’t know if I should bring her or not but she’s been screaming like that all night,” Shannon explained.
    As soon as Peg saw Addy she wiggled until Shannon put her down. Then Peg ran to the cell and reached through the bars. It broke her heart as she went to her niece and knelt down, hugging her through the iron. How many people had to suffer because of what she had done?
    “Mama, go home. Please, Mama,” Peg cried with tears rolling down her face.
    “Oh, Peg.” Addy couldn’t help it she broke down and cried too.
    Shane walked over and opened the cell door. “Peg, go on in and see your Mama.”
    Peg ran in and almost knocked Addy down in her zeal to touch her.
    “I’m so sorry, my love,” she crooned to the child as she picked her up and rocked her. No one else existed and no one else mattered. Peg was her only concern at the moment. She held her close for a long time. Edith had returned, but Shane told her to come back later.
    “Get my daughter out of that cell this minute!” William Bartlette roared. He stalked to the cell and glared at her. “I don’t want you touching Margret again!”
    Peg clutched her for dear life. “No, Mama, no!”
    “She calls you Mama? How dare you! Come on, Sheriff unlock the door.”
    Shane shot her a look of apology. “I’m sorry, Addy. He’s her father.” He took Peg into his arms and carried her out of the cell.
    “She belongs to me. I don’t want you contacting her ever. She’s all that’s left, and I need her.” He grabbed Peg from Shane and walked away while Peg screamed.
    “Oh, dear Lord, what have I done?” Addy sat on the cot and wrapped her arms around her middle. She’d hurt the ones she loved most.
    Shannon walked into the cell and sat next to her. “You must have had a good reason. He doesn’t seem the kindest.”
    “He’s not. He used to beat my sister, and he’s hit Peg many times. He even beat me once when I refused to marry him. That’s why I took her and ran. My parents expected me to marry my sister’s husband. It was too much to