Walker's Wedding Read Online Free PDF Page B

creamed potatoes too.”
    â€œBut the doctor done said—”
    â€œDon’t remind me of the doctor! I know what the doctor says. He wants me to starve to death, that’s what he wants. Go on, now, Abe, and tell Will to not be stingy with the butter on those sandwiches.”
    â€œYes, sir. Slather on the butter. Be buildin’ a pine box tomorrow,” the old servant grumbled, turning around to leave.
    When the door had closed, Lowell reached for a picture that sat on his desk. He felt the tension ease from his face. “Ah, Laverne, what am I going to do? We’ve sired an outlaw. I do my best, but Sarah’s stubborn streak would put yours to shame. It doesn’t matter what I do or say or buy for her. Our daughter is intent on ruining her life.”
    Memories flooded him as he traced the outline of the ornate silver frame, softly chuckling to himself. Sarah and her mama were two peas in a pod. Laverne had the same red hair, fiery spirit, and ornery zest for life. Many a time Lowell had thrown his young, sassy wife over his shoulder and carried her around the house, singing “Amazing Grace” at the top of his lungs until her temper cooled. They would have a good laugh, and then she’d look at him with Sarah’s wide, trusting eyes and all would be well. One time Laverne had sat up three nights in a row nursing a sickly newborn kitten—she wouldn’t hear of giving up on the runt of the litter. No one had been more surprised than Lowell when the weak little animal made it. Laverne had named the kittenPertinacity before exhaustion overtook her and she collapsed in Lowell’s arms. He’d carried her and the cat to bed, where they had both slept twenty-four hours through.
    Yes, Laverne had spunk. That was what he’d loved about her.
    Much as he hated to admit it, Sarah came by hers naturally.
    â€œAh, Laverne,” he whispered. “I miss you, ol’ gal.” Absently placing a two-fingered kiss on the frame, he strode to the double doors and opened them.
    â€œAbe! I’m not waiting a minute longer! Get me those Pinkerton detectives. That girl’s gone too far this time!”

Chapter Five

    G usty wind greeted Sarah as she stepped from the train at Tall Timbers station. It snatched a lock of red hair from its clip and sent it flying above her head. She tried unsuccessfully to rein it in while holding her skirts. Her gaze skimmed the bustling town.
    The knot in her stomach painfully tightened. She couldn’t do this. Last night she realized that she couldn’t pretend to marry a man—take vows before God and live in sin. She couldn’t perpetrate the fraud. But…she was here, and Walker McKay was expecting a bride.
    The platform teemed with activity—mothers and fathers greeting returning children; sweethearts embracing, caught up in the moment of blissful reunion, unashamed of their public displays of affection. Families bumped against cattle ranchers and farmhands apparently waiting for supply shipments.
    Stepping from the bottom stair onto the ground, she searched the milling crowd, her heart fluttering like a trapped sparrow. Her eyes swept the area for Walker McKay. Lucy couldn’t provide a physical description of the man beyond the possibility of disfigurement from his recent accident. Sarah’s eyes leapt from face to face, trying to match the features she’d formed in her mind—frail, perhaps in a wheelchair. She would just have to tell the truth about her identity and hope that he understood. Her cheeks warmed. What reasonable man would approve of such a silly act?
    A man wearing a gun in a holster slung low and heavy from his belt made his way through the crowd, his eyes searching the platform. His cragged features were ringed in dust, his clothes spattered with—Sarah recoiled—was that horse dung? When his gaze locked on her, he offered a tobacco-stained grin.
    Her worst fears were