Covington, Cara - Love Under Two Lawmen [The Lost Collection] (Siren Menage Everlasting) Read Online Free Page A

Gladstone’s illegitimate daughter and had been left the sum of two thousand dollars and a worn-looking tome.
    The lawyer swore he had no idea what the book contained, for he had promised his client to deliver the items to the woman immediately upon learning of his death without ever opening or reading the book. The lawyer had assumed he’d delivered nothing more than a family chronicle.
    Colin had no choice but to search for Miss Dupree. He hadn’t found her, of course, but he had located her mother— also a Miss Dupree.
    Colin would never understand why his stepfather had left the journal to that chit, but since she’d lit out of Richmond and headed southwest, he had no doubt the old bastard had done just that and that the whore was going after the treasure.
    The sun had set, and his belly grumbled, demanding food. The man at the hotel desk had assured him that fine fare could be had down the street at a restaurant called Murchison’s. He’d go and eat, maybe stop off for a beer or two at the saloon on his way back.
    He hated traveling, hated the frontier. But he figured when he caught up to the Dupree woman and retrieved his journal, all this discomfort would have proven to be worthwhile.
    Especially when he followed the clues he recalled reading and recovered the very real treasure his stepfather had so painstakingly hidden.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
    “I never had a sister, although I’d always wished for one. That’s why I decided I wanted to meet you,” Sarah said.
    Amanda stood still for her cousin’s inspection. Sarah Carmichael Benedict didn’t quite match Amanda in height. She wore her blonde hair in a soft upsweep, and her brown eyes fairly shone with intelligence. Her own coloring differed in that Amanda had received the red hair and green eyes of their common grandfather, or so she’d been told. Otherwise, looking at Sarah was very nearly like looking in a mirror.
    “My mother had red hair,” Sarah said softly. “She said it was a family trait.”
    “You lost her when you were young,” Amanda said. “That’s hard. I’ve never had much in life, but I’ve always had my mother. We’re very close.”
    “You’re lucky.”
    “I know.”
    “Why don’t we have tea out on the verandah? Dinner will be ready in a half hour or so. In the mean time, it’s nice out, and that seems to be the only place I’m permitted to be outside these walls without armed guards lately.”
    The last bit Sarah said while slanting a sideways glance at her husbands.
    Amanda wanted to laugh at the guilty looks worn by both Caleb and Joshua Benedict. Instead, she assumed a serious expression and lowered her voice as if sharing a confidence. “I’m not sure if you’ll be allowed that privilege this time, as I’m here and I don’t think any of the men trust me at all.”
    Sarah grinned. “Yet you don’t seem very upset by that idea.”
    Amanda returned her smile. “I’ve learned not to care what other people think of me. Folks will believe the worst, and there’s nothing you can do, usually, to change their minds.”
    “I predict that we’re going to be good friends,” Sarah said. She stepped forward and linked arms with Amanda. To the men she said, “Please have some tea brought out to us.”
    “Bossy.” Caleb Benedict shook his head, then turned toward the kitchen, followed by Joshua and the two lawmen.
    Amanda laughed and walked with Sarah outside to the verandah. From what she’d seen so far, her cousin’s house resembled some of the fine plantation homes outside of Richmond. Amanda guessed she was going to have to revise her impression of the so-called rustic Western frontier. So far, nothing had been as expected.
    She’d not had that chance to freshen up yet, either, but just then she thought that could wait. She hadn’t returned her cousin’s sentiment, but she thought they were going to be good friends, too.
    “What do you think of Adam and Warren?” Sarah asked once they were