Second Chance Brides by Vickie Mcdonough Page A

wrapped around her legs, and she was stuck between the settee and coffee table legs.
    How humiliating!
    Hurried footsteps sounded behind her, and she closed her eyes. Could things get any worse?
    “Are you all right?” Rachel leaned toward Shannon’s face.
    “Aye, but I do feel quite foolish.”
    “Do you mind if Luke helps you up?”
    Shannon shook her head. “I’m tangled in my skirts.”
    A quick knock sounded, and Shannon peeked through the table legs. Garrett Corbett strode in. “Mornin’, folks.”
    Heat raced up Shannon’s cheeks. What would her new boss think?
    His eyes widened, and he hurried forward to help Luke assist her up. Back on the settee, she rearranged her skirts and avoided looking at anyone. Would they all think her a clumsy fool?
    Rachel picked up the crutch. “Shannon was trying this out to see if she could walk with it.”
    Garrett grinned. “Uh, let me guess. It didn’t work.”
    Luke stood beside him chuckling, and Rachel glared at her husband.
    Garrett forced a straight face. “Have no fear, I brought the wagon.”
    Warmth flooded Shannon’s cheeks again. He didn’t even think she could walk a few hundred feet. She thought about the crutch again. Well, perhaps he was right. But if she couldn’t walk that far and rode the wagon to work, she’d be stuck at the freight office, dependent on the Corbett brothers—and that was the last place she wanted to be. Wasn’t that why she’d accepted the position of employment in the first place? So that she could support herself instead of relying on them?
    “Maybe she should wait a few more days before starting work,” Rachel said.
    Three sets of eyes fell on Shannon, and she resisted the urge to squirm. She’d already lost almost two nights’ sleep worrying over working with Mark Corbett. If she didn’t start today, she’d only worry more. “Nay, I’ll ride in the wagon.”
    “Are you sure?” The concerned look in Rachel’s eyes warmed her. Made her feel as if someone cared about her.
    “Aye.”
    “Great. Then let’s go.” Garrett strode toward her and swooped her up without asking permission.
    Shannon wrapped her arm around his neck and sat up stiffly. These Americans were uncouth and did as they pleased without so much as a by-your-leave. She thought back to being in Mark’s arms when they were running from the storm. She’d actually liked him carrying her. Liked being close to him. Then why was she so nervous about working in the same office?
    Garrett helped her up to the wagon seat, and she climbed aboard and sat down. Rachel reached up her hand and laid it on Shannon’s arm while Garrett walked around the front of the wagon. “I’ll come down in an hour or so and make sure things are all right.”
    “That’s not necessary, but I thank you. I’m sure I will be fine.”
    “It’s no trouble at all.” Rachel smiled, winked, and stepped back. “Don’t let those yahoos boss you around too much.” Shannon finally smiled. “I won’t.”
    “Hold on.” Garrett lifted the reins and smacked them down on the horses’ backs. “Heeyah!”
    The wagon lurched forward and then settled. Shannon held tight to the side and gazed at the remains of the store. Boards that were long enough to be reused had been stacked along the property line. A half-dozen men and women were sorting through the last of the rubble. “’Tis a sad sight.”
    Garrett looked to his left and nodded. “Mark and I brought in a load of lumber from Dallas yesterday. Got another couple of trips to make, and then there will be a store raisin’.”
    “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
    “It’s just like a barn raisin’ except we’re building a store. Since it’s the only one in town, we need it to survive, so everyone’s chipping in to help.”
    They passed the remains of the Fosters’ home, and Shannon wished there was something she could do to help the older couple. A man tossed a bucket of water into the dirt road, and one of