My Heart's Desire Read Online Free PDF Page B

carefully, palm out. It wavered between the gun and the money and then went for the money. "Rennie will never believe this happened, Mr. Houston. She trusts me."
    "But I don't." Jarret dropped the money just as Hollis's fingers would have closed around it. Hollis reacted predictably, bending as he tried to grasp the bills. He didn't see the descent of the Remington as Jarret brought it down on the base of his skull. Grunting softly, Hollis collapsed, the money on the floor beside him just outside his grasp. Jarret prodded him gingerly with the toe of his dusty boot. There was no movement.
    With some reluctance Jarret left his money where it was, tucked his Remington away, and took the side door exit so that he wouldn't have to face the congregation. Estimating he had less than a minute before Hollis's friends found the unconscious groom, Jarret hurried along the outside of the church and entered again from the front.
    He ran headlong into Rennie as he stepped into the side chapel. Jarret's arm swung around her waist, steadying and securing her in the same motion. Glancing around, he saw that Ethan and Mary Michael were gone. "He's taken her to the hotel then?" he asked.
    Moira, Mary Francis, Mary Margaret, and Mary Schyler all nodded. Mary Renee balled up her fist and hit him in the stomach. "Of course he's taken her," she snapped, struggling to be free of Jarret's iron grip. "You don't see Michael, do you?"
    "A simple 'yes' would have sufficed."
    His calm and his faint smile were infuriating. He hadn't even winced at her punch, but then, she thought, his belly was as hard as his head. She would probably have bruised knuckles, and he hadn't felt the least pain. "Will you kindly let me go?" she asked stiffly.
    Jarret ignored her and looked at the others. "Actually, it's time we all left. There's not going to be a wedding... at least not today."
    Mary Francis's smile was serene as she touched her rosary. "Thank God for that."
    Rennie sucked in her breath, and Jarret's arm naturally settled more tightly around her. "Mary! How can you say that?" She raised her eyes to Jarret and demanded sharply, "Will you please remove your arm? I'm going to—"
    Moira rushed forward as Rennie slumped in Jarret's embrace.
    "She's fine, ma'am," Jarret assured her. "Just fainted. Does she do that often?"
    From across the room Maggie whispered dryly to Skye, "Only when she's held in a vise."
    Skye smothered a giggle behind her hand.
    Jarret slipped his free arm under Rennie's knees and lifted her. "She's not pregnant, is she?"
    Mary Francis stepped forward to support her mother. "I think you forget yourself, Mr. Sullivan. We're grateful for your help as well as for your interference, but that doesn't give you leave to ask such personal questions."
    He felt himself flushing under the soft rebuke. "Beggin' your pardon, Sister."
    This time Maggie joined Skye's quiet laughter. Having been on the receiving end of Mary Francis's admonishments more than a few times themselves, they felt a faint tug of empathy for Jarret Sullivan.
    "We have to be going," Jarret said. "There's a carriage waiting out front that will accommodate all of us. I don't expect things will remain quiet for long." He was referring to Hollis Banks unconscious in the chapel, but he could have spoken the same words of Rennie. He felt her stirring in his arms. "Quickly. We should leave now."
    Moira shook her head. "I can't leave. What will our guests think? I must stay behind and make our apologies."
    "I'll do that," Mary quickly promised her mother, giving her a gentle nudge toward the door. "You go with Mr. Sullivan. Skye. Maggie. You, too. I'll speak to everyone." She stepped back and pointed in the direction of the door. "Hurry. Before Rennie starts fussing."
    Before Moira could voice another protest, Maggie and Skye ushered their mother into the hallway and out the large oak doors. Jarret turned to follow but stopped when he felt a light hand on his shoulder.
    "She's not pregnant,"