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

bear.”
    “Your sister died?”
    “Yes, she fell down the stairs. Her face was tearstained and bruised. William is a monster.”
    Shannon gave her a quick hug and stood up. “Shane, there must be something we can do.”
    “I wish there was. Truly I wish there was.” He sighed.
    “I need to go tell Cinders and Keegan what’s happening,” Shannon said as she headed for the office door.
    “No need to bother Keegan. He doesn’t care.”
    “I’ll be back.”
    Shane swung the cell door closed. “Sorry, Addy.”
    “It’s not your fault.”
     
    ****
     
    Clunk, clunk . Two more pieces of wood went flying off the chopping stump. No matter how hard he tried, Keegan couldn’t get his anger to just go away. He’d been right to leave her at the train station the first time. Now he’d done the unthinkable, he’d gone and fallen in love with both Addy and Peg. Or maybe he should say Adeline and Margret.
    He placed another log on the stump and brought the axe down with as much force as he could. Maybe if he wore himself out… His anger boiled when he heard the wagon coming toward him. Damn, they were going to try to talk him into going to see Addy. Well, they just didn’t know how stubborn he could be.
    The axe landed with a thunk as he drove it into one of the logs. Then he stalked to the front of the house. Sure enough, it was Shannon and Cinders. If they hadn’t been all smiles and happy, he’d never have sent the first letter requesting a bride. He folded his arms across his chest and swallowed hard. It wasn’t their fault. The blame lay with him.
    “Keegan, we got to go,” Cinders said as he stopped the wagon.
    “I’m not interested in more lies.”
    Shannon stood up in the wagon. “That awful man took Peg away. She was screaming, terrified, and there was nothing the sheriff could do about it. Keegan, he beat his wife, Addy’s sister, he’s struck Peg, and he beat Addy.”
    Keegan dropped his arms to his sides and clenched his fists. “He beat Addy and Peg?”
    “She refused to marry him, and he beat her,” Shannon explained. “Her parents looked the other way just as they did when her sister showed up with bruises. I know you’re hurt, and that’s between you and Addy, but we have to do something about Peg.”
    “There’s nothing we can do.”
    “Keegan, grab your horse. There’s got to be something,” Cinders said.
    “I need to return the horse I borrowed anyway.” He saw the pleased look Shannon and Cinders exchanged. Why couldn’t it be him and Addy looking at each other that way? He saddled the paint and followed the wagon to town. A feeling of dread filled him and got heavier as they got closer.
    He planned to return the horse first thing but there was a big commotion at the jail. A crowd of people stood outside trying to find out what was going on. He jumped down off the paint and shouldered his way through the crowd.
    Peg was shrieking while William held her, Addy was crying, Shane tried to comfort Peg and Judge Gleason sat behind the sheriff’s desk leaning the chair back on the back legs with a toothpick in his mouth.
    “What in tarnation is going on?” Keegan roared.
    “Daddy!” Peg shrieked squirming her best to get down, but William had a punishing grip on her.
    Judge Gleason stood and rounded the desk. “That’s enough. Give me the child. A man like you shouldn’t even have children. You obviously don’t like them.”
    “What?” William sputtered.
    “I’ve sat here and watched the lot of you. This is what we’re going to do until I can get a few telegrams out. Addy, I’m sorry but you need to stay put. Mr. Bartlette, you will hand Peg over to Keegan.”
    “No. I refuse!” William turned and headed toward the door but Keegan stopped him.
    “He’s the judge in this here parts. It’s best to listen to him,” Keegan said as he patted Peg on the back.
    “Here, take her. I’ll get in touch with my lawyers.” He thrusted Peg into Keegan’s arms and stormed