Colorado Dawn Read Online Free PDF Page B

him, to make him realize he’s hurting other people—besides himself—with his actions.”
    Josiah stood and patted her shoulder. “I’ll be back this afternoon with the papers. Until then, it would probably be best if you didn’t discuss anything with David.”
    “I don’t think that will be a problem.”

    David stayed in the parlor until he heard Fuller leave.
    Suing him. He never would’ve believed it of his gentle Karen. It just proved he was right to call off the wedding. If she could turn on him so quickly, how long would it have taken her to despise him after they said their vows?
    Sinking lower into the chair, he tried to block out Mother’s voice demanding he show some courage, face his life, and stop moping for how it used to be. He’d never considered himself a particularly brave man, but neither did he consider himself a coward. Until now. He’d add it to his list of shortcomings.
    He pushed himself upright and probed his way out to the staircase. Holding the banister, he kicked his toe out to measure the steps. Why hadn’t he ever counted them before?
    Turning to the left at the top, he brushed the wall, inching forward. His parents’ door first, then the guestroom Karen used, Sam’s door, turn to the right at the end of the hall, straight ahead five steps, his own bedroom door. Relief that he’d made it this far alone trickled through him.
    He opened the door and stepped in. Freshness, as if the window had been left open recently, greeted him. The bed sat before him and a little to the left. His hand glided over the smooth comforter. Though no longer able to see the rich dark blue, it surprised him that he could enjoy the texture of the fabric so much. His hand wrapped around the newel post at the foot of the bed, feeling the ridges of the carved walnut, smelling the lemony, beeswax aroma of the polish Sally Ann used.
    The light scent made him aware of his own smell. With a wry twist of his lips he turned to find the dresser. With tentative fingers, he searched the drawers, feeling the fabrics, trying to identify what shirt he held. At last his fingers brushed pin-tucked linen. His favorite white shirt. Laying it across the foot of the bed, he turned to select a pair of pants and some socks. Blue, brown, black? He slammed the drawer shut.
    Removing his rumpled shirt, he groped his way to the washstand. To his surprise he found the water in the pitcher warmed. Buckford must have known about the family meeting and put his money on Mother to have her way. A wry smile twisted his lips once again.
    Through all his ablutions, his mind mulled the pending lawsuit. He’d underestimated Karen’s resolve. But, then again, she had underestimated his.
    He managed to cut himself at least twice, but he did get shaved and dressed. Now for some coffee and pain medicine.
    He made it to the bottom of the stairs again without mishap. His legs shook, reminding him of all the time he’d spent bedridden over the past month. A yeasty, warm fragrance came from the back of the house, drawing him down the hall to the kitchen. He pressed his hand against the swinging door and eased it aside.
    “Mr. Mackenzie.”
    “Mrs. Morgan.” David acknowledged the woman who had cooked for the family for several years. “Could I have some coffee, please?” He concentrated so hard on remembering the layout of the kitchen that he made it halfway across the room before he realized he had closed his eyes. A rueful chuckle rose to his throat. He found a chair and sat down at the table.
    “I must say, sir, you are looking much better. You’ve taken your sling off. Is your arm healing, then?” She set the coffee down in front of him.
    “It’s fine.” He groped for the cup. “You wouldn’t happen to have the laudanum, would you? For my headache?”
    “I do, and I’ll add it to your coffee directly. I’ve been baking today. Would you like a muffin or some fresh bread?” Cupboards opened and cutlery clanked.
    “No, thank you,