The Outlaw Takes a Bride Read Online Free Page B

her chin up, though it may have trembled a little.
    “Yes, a fine Christian man. I shall be married soon. My parents will be so pleased.”
    “Don’t they know of your plans yet?” Mr. Winters cocked his head to one side.
    Sally’s cheeks heated. She would shamelessly dodge that question. “I meant, sir, that they will be pleased to see me settled. My intended is, as my father would say, all wool and a yard wide.” She pushed back her chair. “Excuse me. I’ll get the coffee.”
    She stayed in the kitchen longer than she had to, but her absence seemed prudent. Effie made no attempt to modulate her voice in the dining room, and Sally could hear their words clearly.
    “I knew it! I knew she was up to no good.”
    “What do you mean?” The pastor’s voice was less strident. “I thought you wished to see Mrs. Golding settled.”
    “Of course,” Effie said, “but not like this.” The minister murmured something, and Effie went on, “I shouldn’t be surprised if she’s never met the man! She’s been writing him letters since way back before Christmas, but who knows how they made the connection? The newspapers have lurid advertisements almost every day for women to go and marry these rough miners and ranchers. He could be anyone. She could be walking into a life of slavery. Or worse. I wouldn’t want to be too near the Mexican border, myself.”
    “But she said he’s a fine Christian,” the minister said. “And you’ve remarked on the lack of privacy since she came here. You’ll have the freedom of your home back, my dear.”
    “We shall have to hire a girl to come in and do the heavy work, and that will mean wages.” Effie made this sound like a dire thing.
    “Perhaps we can find another woman who needs room and board. It’s worked out well with Mrs. Golding, hasn’t it?”
    “Hmpf.”
    Sally smiled grimly to herself. More than ever, she was convinced the minister knew nothing of the small amounts of money she gave Effie. She poured out their coffee and set the cups on a tray with the cream pitcher. The sugar bowl stayed on the table next to the spoon holder, so she needn’t worry about that. As she entered the dining room with the tray, Effie fixed her malevolent eyes on Sally.
    “Does this
gentleman
have a name?”
    “He does. Mark Paynter. He owns a cattle ranch.” Sally was proud of herself for keeping her voice level, and she hoped they didn’t ask how many cattle Mark owned, as his herd was yet very small. But it would grow and he would prosper, she was sure.
    “I suppose he has half-a-dozen unruly children he wants you to raise for him.” Effie’s tone had turned a bit smug.
    “Actually, no.” Sally set the cups and saucers carefully onto the tablecloth. “He has been a bachelor up until this time.”
    “Oh, an older man,” Effie persisted. “Set in his ways.”
    Sally shrugged and managed a slight smile. “I don’t know all his eccentricities, of course, but he is two years older than I am.” Effie opened her mouth again, but Sally said, “I see you’re nearly finished with the main course. I’ve baked an apple pudding, and I’ll bring it in directly.” She tucked the tray under her arm and made herself walk slowly back to the kitchen, though she wanted to flee.
    “Apple pudding,” Mr. Winters said behind her. “That sounds very nice. We’ll miss your cooking, Mrs. Golding.”
    Sally turned for a moment in the doorway. “Why, thank you, Reverend. It’s kind of you to say so.”
    The skin around Effie’s eyes contracted in wrinkles as she glared at Sally.

CHAPTER 3

    J ohnny rose when the first light of dawn crept through the one window in the cabin. Cam still slept on the floor. He had insisted Johnny take his brother’s bed. Johnny stepped over him and tiptoed outside.
    The sun was still below the horizon, and the air smelled sweet—breathably cool. He walked slowly around the yard and leaned on the corral fence. His horse and Cam’s came over, gazing at