CHARITY'S GOLD RUSH (A Strike It Rich in Montana novel) Read Online Free

up our wager .”
                  Charity whirled. Her face paled. “You’re a gambling man?”
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                  Her worst fear stared her in the face , then her new husband turned away, guilt marring his features . Seemed the man was more full of secrets than a politician’s mistress.
    Glancing around the group, she noted the curious faces o f the children. Her heart wrenched. How could she protect them from the childhood she’d suffered ? She sagged against the wagon. She could annul immediately, but she’d married Gabe knowing they’d part in a year. How could she go back on her word now? There was no way, in good conscience, she could leave the children to the same circumstances surrounding her own childhood.
                  Her gaze met Gabe’s for a second before she turned away. She ’d thought there might be something between them when he’d helped her from the wagon and his hands lingered at her waist. But t here couldn’t be. She wouldn’t go through what her mama did before she died. Da promised repeatedly to stop gambling, to no avail. Charity vowed not to let the same thing happen to her.
    It wasn’t that Da didn’t love her, he did. But he’d always told her that her sharp tongue would keep a man from wedding her, no matter how comely her face. That’d been the case until Virginia City. Then every mongrel within sight had come knocking. Now, she f ound a man she could enjoy seeing across the breakfast table, and he turns out to be exactly like the others.
                  Taking a deep breath, she straightened. She’d make do for the time agreed upon. While Gabe worked the ranch, she’d take care of his home and children and dig for gold when she could. Somehow, someday, Charity would never have to rely on a man again and fulfill her D a’s wish of striking gold at the same time .
                  “It’s nice to meet you, sir, but I’m afraid we must be getting home.” Charity hoisted her skirts and climbed into the wagon unassisted. “God’s blessing on you.”
                  Gabe looked taken aback but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he launched himself beside her and headed them out of town.
                  Silence stretched as long as the road in front of them. Meg leaned across the seat and swiveled her head from Charity to Gabe to Charity again. What must be going through the child’s mind?
                  “I need to go to the necessary, Pa.”
                  “Can’ t you wait awhile longer ? We’re not even halfway yet.” Gabe frowned.
                  “No. We were at Ma’s place a long time.”
                  Ma? Mercy. Charity had no idea how to be a mother. She should’ve thought things through a bit more. A gambling husband and two children and her not even married a full day yet. Her stomach threatened again.
                  Gabe stopped the wagon. At this rate, they’d travel all day. “Charity, would you mind taking her into the bushes?”
                  “What?” Charity eyed the thick brush. Any manner of creature could be lurking in there. Give her the open land of Ireland any time. At least a person could see what was sneaking up on you.
                  “ I don’t like her going by herself.” Gabe’s tone left no room for argument. “Couldn’t be helped before, but now she’s got you.”
                  Charity climbed unsteadily from the wagon and waited for Meg. Sam swung over the side and dashed out of sight. Meg followed. Well, why couldn’t he have taken his sister? Charity lifted her dress high enough to keep from snagging it in the brambles and shuffled after them.
                  “Meg? Sam?” Bushes rustled and Charity jerked. “Where are you?”
                  Meg popped up. “Shhh. You make too much noise.” She ducked