Shane's Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas #3) Read Online Free Page B

her.  Her stomach burned as her eyes teared.  Maybe she’d have to reconsider Noreen’s offer to work at the saloon.  She should see how much she’d be paid before making a decision.  Glancing down at her stained, worn dress she shrugged.  At least it was hers. 
    Cecily wandered into the front room and sat in the one chair and stared out the window.  It was time to say a final good bye to all of her dreams.  She hadn’t realized she still harbored a small kernel of hope for a normal life until now.  After taking a few deep breaths, she stood and put one poorly covered foot in front of the other and started for town. 

 
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
     
     
    Shane shook his head and looked again.  Surely he didn’t just see Cecily sneaking behind the buildings.  He took a step and winced.  Maybe next time he’d just let whoever was fighting keep on fighting.  He’d just broken up a fight at the livery and had taken a hard one to his side, and it hurt like bloody hell.  He walked faster trying to get to the next alley before she did, if it was Cecily.  What could she be up to? Shaking his head he almost laughed.  It wasn’t as though he even knew her.  She could be up to anything.
    He waited at the end of the alley, and sure enough she went hurrying on by.  This time he went down the alley to get a better look, and his mouth dropped open when she knocked on the back door to the saloon.  His mouth was still gaping when the door was answered and she went inside.  Of all the places in town, the saloon was the last place he would have expected her to go.  What was she thinking? Perhaps she had decided to look for a job but she already had one.
    He rubbed the back of his neck as he paced back and forth.  Maybe waiting behind the saloon wasn’t the best idea.  What if she came out and saw him? She wouldn’t be happy.  Cecily wasn’t the type you could hem in or keep in a cage.  And she certainly would not appreciate being spied on.  Decision made, he rounded the corner and headed down the next alley, just far enough where he could watch the door without being seen. 
    He surely wished he knew what was going on in there.  Maybe he should storm in and grab her.  Taking off his hat, he ran his fingers through his hair wondering what the heck to do.  If any of the town’s women saw her, it wouldn’t be good.  Jamming his hat on his head, he marched back down the alley intent on saving her from herself.
    As he rounded the corner, he came face-to-face with Cecily, nearly stopping his heart.  Her mouth formed an O, and she had a look of guilt about her. 
    “What are you thinking?” he demanded.  “What if one of the ladies of the town saw you in there?”
    “I, well, you see Noreen offered me a job, and I wanted to see what it entailed.  I had some idea of what was expected but it was more than I thought it would be.  I could never willingly do that with a man, ever.  I figured with what happened to me and all it would be fine, but it’s not.  It might seem strange to you but I still believe in virtue.  My virtue was taken from me, But that doesn’t mean I’ll keep giving—” Her voice broke and she lowered her gaze. 
    He took her small hand in his and gave it a quick squeeze.  “It’s not your fault, none of it’s your fault.  Now let’s get you home before the women of the town see you and turn your escapade into more fodder for gossip.”
    Nodding, she gave him a slight grin.  “They already talk about me all the time anyway.  I believe it will always be that way.  I came to talk to Noreen about the job to see how much money I could make.  A new town and a fresh start have been on my mind.  It would be so wonderful to be someplace where no one knew me.”
    Shane pulled her along until they reached the front of the buildings, and then he put her arm through his and escorted her home, all the while ignoring the gawking of everyone they passed.  He didn’t care so