An Unexpected Annulment (The Colorado Brides Series Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

toothpick, his wide-brimmed hat shading his face. He had worn his Sunday best, trousers with a freshly pressed shirt and vest. A revolver was at his side. My sister and I wore crinolines, which were highly impractical, but for church, I could not see wearing anything less. As the wagon rounded the bend, there was movement up ahead, and I recognized Annie, who sat by the side of the road. Her bare legs revealed bruises and scraped knees. She was shoeless.
    “Just as I thought.”
    Nathan glanced at me. “Pardon?”
    “Can we stop?”
    “What are you going to do?” asked Hannah, her look betrayed distress.
    “I have something for her.” I brushed past my sister’s skirts, holding onto the seat, while grasping the basket. “I’ll be right back.” Annie remained seated when I approached her; her face was dirty. “Good morning.”
    “What’s so good about it?” She dug in the dirt with a stick.
    I knelt before her. “It’s the Lord’s Day, and that makes it special.”
    “No one told me that.”
    The sadness in her eyes tore at my heartstrings. “I have something for you and your brothers.” I placed the basket at her feet, moving a checkered cloth away, which exposed the cider and food. “I know you must be hungry.”
    Her expression transformed into wonder. “This looks mighty good, Ms.—I don’t know your name.”
    “It’s Louisa. Just Louisa.”
    “Can I take it?”
    “Yes, of course. If you could bring the basket back after you’ve emptied it, that would be nice.”
    She jumped to her feet, a hand curling around the handle. “I will. I’ll bring it back!” Thin legs moved quickly, the girl disappearing into the prairie.
    “What did you give her?” asked Nathan. “What was that?”
    I approached the wagon. “A basket of food.”
    “That was thoughtful of you, Louisa,” said Hannah.
    “I need to have a word with Pastor Bailey about those children. This can’t go on.”
    Hannah and Nathan exchanged a look, but it was difficult to decipher. I didn’t care what they thought, because I could not let those children starve. Anger pricked whenever I thought about their good-for-nothing father, but he would be dealt with in due time.
     

Chapter Three
     
    I waited as long as I could; Pastor Bailey had spoken to everyone who had approached him, as I loitered, while Nathan and Hannah stood outside with my sister, Paulina and her family. I knew they were waiting, but I had to speak with the preacher. When the woman he had been with walked away; I stepped before him.
    “Pastor Bailey, might I have a word?”
    “Of course, Ms. Hoffman. What is it?”
    “I have a somewhat delicate matter to discuss with you.” I glanced over my shoulder to assure myself no one was listening. “I live with my sister, Hannah Weaver, as you know. There are a few miners who live out that way. There is a family by the name of Montgomery. I’ve seen the children on the road with no shoes on. I know they’re starving also, because they’ve been stealing food from our farm.”
    “That would be Matthias Montgomery. His wife died last year. It’s a tragic story, my dear. But, there are lots of those in these parts.” He looked sympathetic. “I’ll go out to speak to him, but there isn’t much I can do.”
    “What about those poor children?”
    “We’ve taken them in before, right after Abigail died, but he came and got them a while later. I’m not a married man, as you know, so I had to place them with a family in town. They’re rather unruly, especially the boys.”
    “Then that’s it? That’s all that can be done?”
    “He’s grieving, Louisa. Let him process what’s happened. I’m sure he’ll take care of them proper soon enough. He’s a stubborn man. He won’t accept handouts and he refuses help.”
    “But those kids are running amok. They haven’t a bedtime or a curfew. They don’t have food.” I glared at him, but then I felt guilty for directing my anger towards our esteemed pastor.