Never Marry a Cowboy Read Online Free PDF Page A

much strength.
    She released her death grip on the post and took a step toward him. “David, how could you ask a friend to marry your dying sister?”
    She saw in his eyes that he wanted to deny that she was dying, but his words were honest. “Because he is a friend.”
    â€œThat was an awful thing to ask.”
    â€œI know that now, but when I saw you in Mother’s dress—” She watched him swallow. “There’s so much I want to give you, and so little time to give it to you.”
    Suddenly drained from the turbulent emotions swirling within her, she sat on the edge of the mattress. “But a husband?”
    He held up his hands. “No, just a bridegroom.”
    She furrowed her brow. “I don’t understand.”
    â€œI only wanted him to make you a bride. You would go through the marriage ceremony, have a day like you dreamed of having, and then come back to Dallas with me.”
    â€œA pretend marriage? That’s even worse.” She would have shot off the bed if she’d had the strength.
    â€œA pretend marriage, but a real ceremony. Kit is British. He understands that people get married forreasons other than love and that often husbands and wives don’t live together. That’s why I thought this idea would work.”
    She shook her head. “Ludicrous.”
    David smiled warmly. “He said the same thing.”
    â€œBut why him? You know men in Dallas—” A horrible thought struck her mind. “You found my private journal.”
    He averted his gaze.
    She slumped forward, tears burning her eyes. “You read my most intimate thoughts,” she rasped in a hollow voice echoing betrayal.
    â€œNot everything. I only know that you favored him.”
    â€œDid you tell him that?” How would she ever face the man again if David had told him what she’d written in her journal?
    â€œNo, of course not.” David leaned forward and took her hand. “I only wanted to give you a dream.”
    â€œInstead, you’ve given me a nightmare.”
    Â 
    Kit heard soft footfalls and lowered the newspaper he’d been staring at while Ashton’s parting words continued to intrude on his thoughts. David walked down the stairs, Ashton clinging to his arm, her face a reflection of calm. Slowly Kit came to his feet.
    â€œSo you two have talked,” David said, his smile mocking.
    Kit felt the heat suffuse his face, his gaze darting between brother and sister. How different they looked. He had grown up with a sibling who was his mirrorimage. “I apologize for speaking out of place. I thought she knew.”
    David pulled out a chair for Ashton. “I decided against telling her until I’d tested your feelings on the matter. I didn’t want her to be disappointed.”
    â€œDavid!” Ashton snapped.
    Kit raised a brow. She might be ill, but she wasn’t weak. Elegantly she sat, picked up a cloth napkin, and settled it across her lap. Images drifted through his mind of another time when she had sat across from him—at David’s table. He had been too caught up in his own hell truly to notice her, to notice any of the women that night.
    Kit took his seat as Mrs. Gurney bustled into the room, carrying platters laden with biscuits, eggs, and bacon.
    â€œGood, everyone’s here for breakfast. Nothin’ worse than cold eggs lessen it’s no eggs at all.” She set the platters on the table. “You folks hear that our marshal was a hero last night?”
    Grimacing, Kit reached for the plate of biscuits and extended it toward Ashton. “I simply prevented a few men from murdering a floor.”
    Laughing boisterously, Mrs. Gurney patted his back with her beefy hand. “You are too modest, Marshal. You stopped a man from havin’ to dance to their tune, is what I heard.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t believe everything you hear, Mrs. Gurney, unless it’s the rumble of my