Western Kisses – Old West Christmas Romances (Boxed Set) Read Online Free PDF Page B

finding that it hadn’t been sealed properly, as there was no wax. “This should be easy.” I pulled forth a folded piece of paper. “I’m thinking it’s a love letter.”
    “I can’t believe we’re actually going to read it.”
    I shrugged. “It was on the boardwalk. It’s hardly my fault, if I see rubbish and pick it up, is it?”
    “You devious little thing.” Her smile was genuine. “All right, read it, but be warned. You may not like what you find. It might shatter whatever illusions you have about people.”
    “Indeed. I would be disappointed if it didn’t.”
    Her mouth fell open. “Where has this devilish side been hiding, my dear?”
    “I haven’t a clue,” I giggled. “I’ve a need for a distraction. This shall provide ample amusement for us, for at least five minutes.”
    “If you say so.”
    “All right. Here it is, although his penmanship is lacking.”
    Dearest Cybele,
    Please forgive me for this correspondence, but you have left me no choice in the matter. I trust this letter finds you well. I will have you know that not one day has gone by that I haven’t thought of you. I miss your touch, your kiss, and the sweet things you were so prone to whispering to me, when we were alone on our many walks. Did none of these moments mean a thing to you? Or was I a diversion to pass the time while you waited for William to return? I know that I am hardly in a position to demand anything from you. However, I am greatly wounded by your cavalier attitude and lack of feeling for my wretched situation. It grieves me to see you with him. It is a pain I have never had the misfortune of experiencing before. I beg you to see me again. I must hold you, my darling. I will leave it up to you to name the time and place.
    Yours truly,
    John.
    I glanced at Leona.
    “Oh, my…” She chewed her fingernail. “What a tangled web that woman has woven.”
    “It sounds like she was busy while William was away.”
    “So it seems. I’m still digesting it all. He’s married, for heaven’s sakes. Why would he continue to seek her out?”
    “He’s madly in love.”
    “Nothing good will come of that. He won’t leave his wife, and Cybele is going to marry William.”
    If William knew of his beloved’s treachery, would he cast her aside? An image of us holding hands behind a tree floated before me, as if it were attached to a string that I was meant to pull. But, he would never seriously consider me as anything more than a friend.
    “What do we do with the letter?” I asked.
    She sighed. “I don’t know. You probably shouldn’t have picked it up. I feel…unclean now for having read it. It’s quite shocking really.”
    “I could give it to William.”
    “You can’t mean that! You aren’t seriously thinking of that, are you, Willow?”
    “No. I couldn't do it.” I sat next to her. “I thought they were perfectly happy. Well, perhaps they are. Maybe she was lonesome in his absence, and she enjoyed toying with Mr. Cockle.”
    “She’s a hopeless flirt then. Any man attached to her will have to put up with her indiscretions.”
    “That’s true.”
    “You should burn it.”
    “But then the lovers won’t meet.”
    “They shouldn’t.”
    “I’ll think of something.”
    “It’s already too late. If you hand her the letter, she’ll know you’ve read it. She’ll know you know her secret.”
    “Why do I care? She was once a friend of mine, until I was disfigured with the smallpox. Now she can’t get away from me fast enough.”
    “I hear bitterness in your voice. Please don’t use this letter to exact revenge. I say, burn it. He will think she’s read it and doesn’t care one wit about him. It might help him to break the ties. If she continues to see him, more pain will come to all concerned. This is the swiftest way to end it for both of them.”
    “You’re right.”
    Her arm went over my shoulder. “I am. I know you loved him once. I know it pains you that he’s fallen for her, Willow.