Liam Read Online Free

commission, please come talk to me.”
    “Thank you, sir, but my children are my only concern now and army life does not agree with raising children alone.”
    General Lassiter said, “I understand. Still if you change your mind…”
    “I will, sir.”
    Liam left the general and went back to his hotel. He was anxious to begin the trip back home. But tonight he would enjoy his last night in a real bed for a long time.

CHAPTER 2

    Liam arrived in Deadwood on Sunday, the twenty-fifth of February, just in time for a snowstorm; back a month sooner than he expected because he was able to take the train for longer portions of the trip than he’d planned. His trip was very successful. Jake had been exonerated and the murder charge dropped. Liam had the pardon from Governor Hardin in his saddlebags to give to Jake.
    Zach might still have to stand trial but only if the board didn’t accept his resignation and the general didn’t think there was any chance of that. The only thing that didn’t go as planned was Colonel Jordan was still at large, and a danger to the brothers and, by extension to himself and his children.
    Liam sent a telegram to General Lassiter when he arrived in Cheyenne and then waited overnight for an answer from the general. When it came he’d been disappointed to find out Jordan hadn’t been caught. Yet he wasn’t surprised. Jordan was proving to be a slippery character. Liam was amazed he’d achieved the rank of colonel, but thought it must have been due to commissions given during the War Between the States—a terrible conflict that even now, more than ten years later, still had repercussions on the country.
    Now that he was back at home, Liam decided to surprise his family with a special dinner, and visited the butcher before going back to the camp. Beef steak would be a welcome treat for his family. He was ready to see his children; he’d missed them more than he thought he would.
    Passing in front of The Gem , he was knocked to the side by someone barreling out the door. He automatically reached for the person—a decidedly feminine person if the breast in his left hand was any indication.
    “Are you all right? Miss?”
    “Oh! Unhand me, sir.” The spitfire said in a tone that brooked no argument.
    “Yes, ma’am,” he said, releasing her immediately
    She fell down onto the boardwalk. “Oh, owww.”
    “Ma’am, calm down. I’ll help you up, if you would allow me.”
    “I…I seem to have twisted my ankle. I can’t stand up,” she cried softly.
    “Here. Take this.” He handed her his parcel of steaks wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. Then, he scooped her into his arms. “Let’s take you to see Doc Cochran.”
    “You can’t carry me all the way there,” she protested. “I’m too heavy and it’s much too far.”
    He chuckled, ignored her protests and started walking toward the southeast end of camp where Doc maintained his office. “I think I can manage.”
    Doc’s office was at the far southeastern side of camp, just outside the Celestial’s village. Liam didn’t know why he kept it there when most of his clientele was at the opposite side of camp. It made no sense to him but Doc must have a reason. Maybe the rent was cheaper outside Chinatown?
    He gazed down into her upturned face and found incredibly wide blue eyes, the color of the sky at dusk, staring back at him. He was momentarily mesmerized. “I’m Liam Anderson.”
    “Eleanor Smith.” She perked up some. “Are you David’s father?”
    Liam frowned. “Yes. How do you know my son?”
    “He’s come into camp with Becky Finnegan…er…Anderson.” She closed her eyes for a moment, pain evident in the frown on her face. “Becky is my friend. I witnessed her marriage to your brother, Jake.”
    Now he understood. “You’re the reverend’s daughter.”
    “You say that with disdain. Do you have something against church?”
    “Nope. Just got no use for ’em. Where was your God when my Mary died? In