Keegan's Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

to figure out if she had done something wrong. No, Keegan just didn’t want to kiss her. She finally was able to get Peg back into her arms, and she hid behind caring for her niece.
    "Here, you should keep these for the memory.” As Edith handed Addy the flowers, she slanted a wary look at Shannon. Clearly, she held no affection for the other woman. Had something happened to create a hardship between them?
    Judge Gleason bade them farewell, and the group gathered on the wooden walkway by the wagon.
    “So, you got yourself a woman. Guess you won’t need to keep coming to see Noreen every night. Or maybe you’ll still have a hankering for her.” John Hardy sneered. “Shannon, it’s always a pleasure to see my intended. You know Cinders, one of these days I’m going to have to steal her away from you.”
    Cinders took a step forward but Keegan placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder, stopping him. “Let’s go home. Just ignore him.”
    Cinders nodded, his lips flattened into a grim line. Shannon’s face blanched, and she turned away from the group, staring at the wagon. “It’s fine, Shannon. Let’s get you home.” Cinders helped his wife onto the wagon.
    Who the heck was Noreen? Addy raised her brow as she glanced at Keegan. All he did was give her a half smile and shrug. She allowed him to help her into the wagon, but she knew deep inside that Hardy character was telling the truth about Noreen.
    Keegan mounted Strike and they were on their way out of town.
     
    ****
     
    Keegan struggled to keep an innocent, not–a-care-in-the-world expression on his face. Damn John Hardy and his big fat mouth. He hadn’t seen Noreen since he had sent Addy his marriage proposal. It had been hard to tell Noreen and he still felt bad about it. Noreen had feelings for him he didn’t return. Hardy’d said he had been there every night. Good Lord, what must Addy be thinking? From the frown on her face he could imagine many things she was thinking and not one of them was kind.
    It certainly wasn’t the way he wanted his marriage to start out. And poor Shannon; hadn’t she had enough without Edith giving her the cold shoulder and Hardy gloating? Shannon was lucky Cinders had been in town the day she arrived as a mail order bride. When she found out John Hardy owned the saloon, she’d refused to marry him and he’d sliced her face in retaliation. He also spread vicious lies about her, and people still believed Shannon had been a whore before coming to Texas.
    People could be plain cruel. Shannon rolled with the punches and grew to love the frontier life. Anyone with eyes could see the love she shared with Cinders. It was their love that had inspired him to send for Addy. Addy…he’d always thought of her as Adeline. Addy was a cute name. He’d hoped for a good-looking woman and he had hit the mother lode. Her blond hair, always falling down out of whatever style she tried looked silky, and he longed to touch it. Her blue eyes sparkled with love whenever she held Peg. Perhaps one day they’d sparkle for him the same way. It would be a day to look forward to.
    But what about the wedding night? He’d planned on a fun time but now with Peg, he didn’t know how that would happen. Other married couples with kids seemed able to figure it out. He wanted the first time to be special. He wanted to show her the joys of being together. She’d called it a duty. Her husband must have been inept, or maybe she really didn’t like it. Damn he was making himself crazy with his thoughts. Things would work out.
    He sighed in relief when they drove onto his property. He was proud of his achievements. It hadn’t always been easy, but he was making his dream come true.
    Addy smiled at him and Peg waved. A lump formed in his throat. He just hoped he could keep them safe and happy. They were his responsibility now. He smiled and tipped his hat. It was another while before they reached the house. Already the day was half gone.
    He rode up next