Keegan's Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas 2)

Keegan’s Bride

Mail Order Brides of Texas

Book Two

By Kathleen Ball

Historical Western Romance

Keegan’s Bride

Copyright © 2016 Kathleen Ball

First E-book Publication: January 2016

Edited by Kay Springsteen Tate

Cover Art by Ari Tan

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is completely coincidental

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my brother Jim.

Of course I dedicate this book to Bruce, Steven, Colt and Clara because I love them.

Chapter One

Adeline Johnson sent the dark-haired man sitting across from her on the stagecoach a smile she hoped said
sorry
as her niece Peg let out a piercing scream yet again.

“Maybe she’s hungry?” the man asked.

“No, she ate at the last stop. She hasn’t slept well, and I think this is the result.”

“What’s her name?”

“Peg and I’m Addy.” She moved the fretful child from one arm to another.

“I’m Shane O’Conner. I’m one of five kids. The oldest to be exact.” He grinned. “Let me try.” He held out his hands, ready to take the child.

Addy hesitated, sighed and nodded. “I’m ready to try anything.” She placed Peg into his arms. Instantly, Peg stopped screaming and smiled at the stranger.

“Hey!” Peg gave him one of her winsome smiles.

“Hey, yourself.”

Peg giggled and rubbed her eyes with her little fists. She gazed at Shane for a bit, and then she slowly her eyes closed and snored little baby snores.

“How on earth?” Addy’s jaw dropped. “She’s always been a fussy baby, and lately it’s gotten worse.”

“Probably the traveling.” Shane leaned back and cuddled Peg against his large chest.

“Going to Asherville or further West?”

“I’m the new sheriff of Asherville. You?”

Gazing at Peg, Addy tried to even her breathing. Her heart pounded so loud she was certain the sheriff could hear it. “Yes. I’m getting married.”

“You’re a widow, then. My condolences.”

Her hands clasped and unclasped. Finally, she folded her hands to keep them still. A widow? She hadn’t thought that far ahead when she grabbed Peg and fled. “Thank you. Yes a widow. I…  I couldn’t make ends meet by myself, so here I am,” she said peering at his face for any sign of suspicion. Seeing none, she leaned back against the wooden bench. “I can take her now.”

“If it’s all the same, I think if we move her, we’ll be pelted with screams again.” His smile was wide showing off his dimples.

She gave him a nod of appreciation and closed her eyes. She couldn’t sleep with Peg in his arms, but she couldn’t make conversation with him either. If they continued to talk he’d see right through her lies. Of all the luck why did she have to ride in the same stagecoach as a sheriff? It was bad enough she hadn’t told her groom she was bringing a child with her. It couldn’t be helped. Normal people would understand. Normal people were not like the Boston elite. Normal people were lucky.

Opening her eyes, she watched Peg. She had the coloring of her father, but the rest of her was all Sondra, her mother. Addy’s heart hurt thinking about the loss of her sister, and her pride raged at the bargain her parents had made with her brother-in-law. Marrying him was something she would never do. He was a wife beater, and her parents had turned a blind eye to all of Sondra’s bruises.

“She’s sweet. You’re lucky to have such an angel.”

He bought her lie. “Thank you. I do cherish her.”

“Will your intended be there to meet you?”

Her heart sped up again. “That’s what his letter said. He just started building his ranch, and I’m both nervous and excited to be a part of it all.”

“You’ll do fine. We’re slowing down. We must be in town.”

Addy lifted the window shades and nodded. Reaching up she tried to straighten her hat.

“You look fine. He’s one lucky fella. What did you say his name was?”

“Keegan, Keegan Quinn.”

The coach stopped with a jerk and Peg opened her eyes. She eyed Shane for a minute, sighed and went back to sleep.

The door opened and the driver offered his hand to her.

“I’ll carry Peg out,” Shane offered.

“Thanks.” She took the offered hand and stepped out onto the dirt road. She’d made it, and hopefully they would both be safe.

****

Keegan stopped pacing when he spotted the stagecoach. He’d second guessed his decision to take a mail order bride a hundred times since he’d sent her the proposal letter. Maybe he wasn’t cut out to make a good husband. He had too many secrets to be responsible for another person. What if he had to cut and run?

He stood to one side waiting for the passengers to exit. A lovely blond-haired, blue-eyed woman stepped down first. Her curves were in all the right places. His hopes dimmed a bit as she looked back into the coach. A tall man climbed out with a child in his arms. Then he handed the child to the woman. A married couple.

The stage coach driver took down a few bags and climbed back up ready to go.

“Wait! Isn’t there another passenger? A woman? Her name is Adeline Johnson.”

The driver shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know names, but I think that gal over yonder is supposed to meet her groom here. Ya!” He flicked the reins and was off.

Keegan scanned the wooden walk and noticed the woman stood there without her husband. Perhaps she’d know where his bride was. He admired the way she lovingly gazed at her child. Once again, the pangs of doubt came back. He’d be fine as long as his past never showed up to haunt him.

He walked toward the woman and tipped his hat at her. “Ma’am, I’m looking for a woman named Adeline Johnson. I thought she’d be on the coach with y’all. Did you happen to see her in your travels?

She swallowed hard and nodded. “I’m Addy. You must be, Keegan.” Her smile was wobbly and her eyes reflected fear. He was a sucker for a woman in distress.

“Well now, you have a young one.”

“Yes,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper.

“Let’s get you out of the sun. We can have something to eat over at Eats. Best place in town for a meal.” He smiled and nodded to her.

Tears filled her eyes. “I didn’t know what you’d do when we both showed up.”

“You’re here now. It’ll be fine. Here let me take her.” He eased the baby out of Addy’s arms and held her close. “What’s her name?”

“Peg.”

A terrible shriek filled the air as Peg woke up. Startled he almost dropped her. She looked wildly around until she saw the man from the stage coach. She pointed and yelled, “Daddy!”

The world slowed as Keegan turned toward the man, only to have Peg shriek yet again. Something wasn’t right and he wasn’t about to be fleeced of all his hard earned money. “Hey, Mister, come get your child.” He put Peg back into Addy’s arms and walked away. He hurried best he could to his horse, mounted and headed out of town. He didn’t look back.

The longer he rode, the madder he got. He pulled lightly on the reins and slowed his horse, Strike to a stop. It would be one thing if only the woman was involved in cheating him, but the man with her needed to take a few lumps for his part. Keegan had worked too long and too hard to allow anyone to cheat him.
Damn!
What was he supposed to do now?

“The hell with it!” he yelled into the hot, dry Texas wind. He didn’t need complications. Right now he had cattle to take care of and it wasn’t easy starting a ranch alone. He’d been on his own too long.

****

Addy’s shoulders slumped as she watched Keegan ride out of town. He never even let her explain. Men, they could be so dimwitted at times. Perhaps it was best she learned now instead of later that her intended wasn’t reliable. Heck, he didn’t even seem nice.

“Addy?” Shane looked at her as though she hadn’t been listening to whatever he was saying. He’d be right.

“I, here, give me Peg. I need to find us a place to stay. Thank you for everything, Sheriff. It’s better to know now Keegan is the cut-and-run type.” She took Peg into her arms and surprisingly Peg didn’t screech.

“Where will you go?” He gestured to the expanse of the town, which was limited.

“We’re not your concern. I’m sure there’s a boarding house…” Her options were indeed limited. There was a mercantile, a saloon, and a few other buildings. “I’ll check at the mercantile. Thank you again.”

Shane tipped his hat to her and walked toward a building with the word
Sheriff
painted on the front. The driver had left her reticule in front of the mercantile. She turned, crossed the street, stepped up onto the wooden walkway, and entered the mercantile. It was big for a town so small and it had a big selection.

“Are you new in town?” An older woman with her gray hair in a tight bun came from behind the counter and hurried to greet her.

“Yes, I am. It looks as though we need a place to stay. I was supposed to get married today, but it didn’t happen.” Tears threatened, and she swallowed hard trying to stay them.

“I’m Edith.” She gestured for an older cowboy to join her. “This is Cookie.”

The older man smiled until the lines on the side of his eyes crinkled. “Keegan’s bride, I bet.”

“Well, yes. I guess not anymore.” Addy glanced at the floor trying to keep them from seeing her distress.

“The little one?” Cookie asked.

“I should have told him—”

“You wait right here. Edith, I’ll need to borrow your delivery wagon. This here little gal is going to talk it out with Keegan. It ain’t like him to turn his back on anyone.”

Before she could object, he was out the door. Turning toward Edith she tried to smile. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea. Keegan didn’t seem to want anything to do with me. It’s my fault. He’s not to blame.”

Edith patted her shoulder. “It’ll be fine. You just wait and see. Keegan is an upstanding citizen of Asherville. He’ll come around. How old is your little one?”

“Peg is almost two years old.”

“How long ago did your husband die?”

Startled, Addy’s eyes widened. She hadn’t thought out all the lies. She cleared her throat. “He never did set eyes on his child. He died before she was born.”

“I bet he’d be proud of you, raising her alone. I have high hopes for you and Keegan Quinn. He’s a bit of a loner, but he’s quality people. Not at all like some riff-raff I’ve seen coming through. Oh, looks like Cookie is ready. I’ll walk you outside.”

She followed the other woman to the wagon. Cookie took Peg, and handed her to Edith before he helped Addy climb onto the wagon. Then he lifted the child from Edith’s arms with a wink and handed the baby back to Addy.

“See ya, Edith. It was nice chatting with you.” Cookie tipped his hat in her direction. Edith blushed prettily as she smiled.

“It’ll be fine, Addy, you’ll see.”

“It was nice to meet you, Miss Edith.” Addy waved to her, but the whole time doubt filled her. Keegan had every right to reject her. It had been a big chance she’d taken, coming out here with Peg, but there was no way she was going back.” She shuddered.

“Are ya cold?” Cookie asked.

“No, just worried. Maybe this isn’t the best idea, Mr. Cookie.”

“It’s Cookie, no mister. I actually think it’s the only idea. There’s not much in the way of jobs for women in town. All you need to do is show Keegan having you around is a good thing.”

“I’m not sure I’d know how to do that exactly.”

He gave her a sidelong glance and smiled. “City girl?”

“Yes, and I want to be a good wife.”

“It’ll be fine. Just let him know you’re willing to learn. That’s really all a person can ask for.”

Addy nodded. “What type of man is Keegan?”

“He’s a bit of a puzzle. I believe he’s been on his own for a long time. I was surprised he settled down. I thought for sure he was a drifter. He’s a hard worker, saves his money, and stays out of trouble. If you’re heading for trouble you’d want him at your side.”

“I hope he gives me a chance.”

“Don’t you fret none. We’re almost there. See the house? That’s Keegan’s. He did himself proud buying this spread. It’s one of the better properties around.”

Cookie kept talking, but she turned her attention over to the house in front of her. It was a wooden house and she sighed in relief. She’d heard all about the soddies and snakes coming through the roof. As they got closer, she could see a few corrals with horses in them. The house was nestled between two big trees and hopefully they would keep the place from getting too hot.

As they approached the house the door swung open and Keegan stepped out into the sun with his feet shoulder width apart and his arms crossed in front of him. His imposing glare intimidated her. “Cookie, let’s go back.”

“No, we’re here now. I have a good feeling about this.”

She just met this man, and he expected her to trust his good feeling? Poor Peg woke again but instead of shrieking she was crying. A diaper change and food were in order. Cookie jumped down from the wagon and hurried to her side. He took Peg into his arms while she climbed down. Keegan still glared.

“I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” she said as sweetly as possible.

“The misunderstanding is yours in coming out here. Where’s the yahoo you were traveling with? Hard to get married when you already have a husband.”

“Let’s get this little girl inside,” Cookie said as he stepped around Keegan with Peg fussing in his arms.