Keegan's Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas 2) (8 page)

Chapter Five

Keegan walked shoulder to shoulder with Shane down toward the saloon. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed someone sneaking through the back alley. “Heads up.”

“I saw her,” Shane commented. “I’m betting it’s the new girl.”

“Shouldn’t we go after her?”

“No, she’ll run out of buildings to hide behind, and I don’t want to chase after her. If we keep walking we should meet her at the end of the street.”

Keegan nodded as they kept walking. Sure enough the woman stood at the end of the street puzzling where to go next.

“Poor thing. She’s a pretty gal,” Shane commented.

Keegan gazed at her. Her dark hair hung in ringlets down her back. Her face was marred by bruises, and her brown eyes were wide in fright. She stopped hurrying and stared at them.

“I’m Sheriff O’Connor, miss. There’s no need to be afraid.”

“He’ll be looking for me soon. Please, do you have somewhere I can hide?” Her voice quavered.

“Come with us,” Shane instructed. “No shoes?” He frowned.

“Mr. Hardy took ’em.”

Shane swung her up in his arms and they headed across the street and down the back alley toward the jail.

Keegan hurried ahead and opened the back door to the jail, promptly closed the door behind them and locking it. He could feel the heat of Addy’s stare. He had a lot to sort out in his mind.

Shane set the girl down in his chair and knelt in front of her. “What’s your name?”

The girl looked around the jail until her gaze finally settled on Shane. “I’m Ilene Duffy, John Hardy’s mail order bride. It’s not marriage he intends. I really stepped in it this time.” She glanced over at Addy. “Lock me up, please. It would be better than going back to that man. He plans to auction me, well, my um…”

“Virtue,” Addy said.

“Yes, my virtue. I’ll be good for nothing after that, and I’m not makin’ a livin’ on my back.”

Shane stood. “Keegan, would you mind getting Shannon?”

“And Peg?” Addy asked, her love for Peg in her eyes.

“I’ll bring them both over.” He hurried to the mercantile.

He opened the door, the bells above tinkled. “Edith, where are Shannon and Peg?”

“Oh, that one,” Edith huffed. “She went to have coffee at Eats. I guess she doesn’t like me.”

He would have loved to argue that Edith was the problem, not Shannon, but he didn’t take the time. “Thanks.”

He ran across the street to Eats restaurant. It was barely a structure but the food was edible. Eats was a big ‘ole man who ran a tight ship, and he had one helper, Poor Boy. Poor Boy was a haggard youth, but he was grateful he had a job. Though he was rail thin, Keegan had seen him eat more than most full grown men.

He spotted Shannon and Peg right away in the crowded room. Peg was giving out smiles for a change, and it looked as though she’d charmed most of the patrons. Shannon spotted him, picked up Peg and weaved through the tables toward the door.

“Is something wrong? In case you didn’t know it you have the biggest frown I’ve ever seen.”

“Shannon, there’s a girl from New York with a story similar to yours. We found her running off from Hardy.”

“What?”

“We, Shane and I, have her at the jail, and we thought you could talk to her.”

“Well why are we standing here?” She handed Peg to him and strode out the door and toward the jail. He had to make long strides to keep up with her. She waited until they were all in and she quickly locked the door. Her shoulders slumped. You’re one of the Duffy girls aren’t you?”

“Yes, ma’am, I’m Ilene.” Tears pooled in the girl’s eyes.

“Did Hazel give you a letter from someone looking for a bride?” Shannon asked softly.

“Yes, but how do you know?”

“Mama!” Peg ran to the cell. Keegan grabbed the key to the cell from Shane and opened the door. Peg ran right in and pulled the door closed behind her. She launched herself at Addy who mouthed
thank you
to him. He nodded and turned away. He wasn’t ready to have his dream end just yet.

Shannon took Ilene’s hand in hers. “I remember your family from the tenements. I grew up there. I worked sewing garments with my mother. When my parents died Hazel gave me a similar letter. I’m Shannon McMurphy—Shannon Cinders now. But I was supposed to marry John Hardy too.”

“I’m sorry, miss.” Ilene shook her head. “I would’ve remembered a lady with such a scar.”

Shannon’s hand flew to her cheek. “John Hardy did this to me.”

“Lord have mercy.” Ilene’s eyes widened.

Shannon rounded on Shane. “She’s coming home with me. I’m going next door and buying clothes and shoes for her. Keegan, I’m going to need you to escort me to my place. I don’t trust Hardy. Also, Peg comes with me. I know what judge Gleason said, but I know your cattle’s been scattered. Cinders sent a few of our men out to your ranch already, but I know you’ll want to be there.” She gave Addy a small smile. “I hope it’s fine with you. I know you’ll be out and back home in no time.”

Swallowing hard, Addy nodded. “We must do what we can to help, Ilene. We both know how vulnerable a woman is when she journeys out west as a bride.”

Keegan studied Addy’s face. Was she sorry she married him? Did she wish she had a different husband? He’d thought of himself as lucky, but he didn’t know for certain what Addy thought.

After getting Ilene’s sizes, Shannon opened the door but quickly slammed it shut. “William is on his way. We need to hide Ilene! Quick, put her in the cell with Addy, and Shane, tie the privacy sheet in front of the bars. I’ll try to stall him.” She whisked out the office.

It was mass chaos, but they managed to have the women behind the sheet by the time William arrived.

“She is still in jail isn’t she?” He flicked a piece of lint off his shoulder.

“Of course she is.” Shane leaned back in his chair. “What can I do you for?”

“Just making sure you have the criminal locked up.” He walked toward the cell.

Quickly, Keegan blocked him. “She needs some privacy. I’m sure you understand. You’ve been married.”

“The mean man, Mama,” Peg whispered loudly.

“This is utterly ridiculous! Adeline, I insist on seeing you!”

Addy pulled the sheet back just enough to expose her head. “What do you want?”

“I want my daughter. I don’t want you, anymore. You’re not good enough for the circles I associate with. None of you Johnsons ever were. I’ll just take my daughter and leave. I’m sure it’s in everyone’s best interest.”

Anger rose and boiled over. Keegan pushed him away from the cell. “Listen you fool. I’ve had enough of you talking badly to my wife. You’re not getting Peg. You might as well head back to Boston and your circle of friends.”

“Get your dirty cowhands off me.”

Keegan furrowed his brow. “First of all cowhands are not hands. They are—” He shook his head. “I’m not going to waste my breath on you. If you have a problem take it up with the judge. He’s waiting on a few telegrams from Boston before he makes a decision.”

The color drained from William’s face. “Telegrams?”

Shane stood up. “Yes. He sent them to the police and to the family lawyer. He should hear back today.”

“Well I certainly have better things to do than spend time in this dingy hovel you call a jail. Good day.” William slammed the door behind him.

“Keegan, go help Shannon and tell her to get a tarp for the back of the wagon,” Shane instructed. “You’d better take Peg. No one will wonder what Shannon buys if Peg is there. Now that she’s stopped shrieking, she’s charming people. I’ll have Ilene ready to get into the wagon when you stop it in front of the jail.”

The sheet came down, and Peg had herself wrapped around Addy. It hurt Keegan’s heart every time he had to take her away. Addy’s lies still stung, but he was beginning to understand the reason for them.

“Come on, honey, time to go. There’s a new colt over at Shannon’s and I know you’d love to see him.”

“A colt?”

“A baby horse,” he explained as he unlocked the door.

“Bye, Mama.” She ran out of the cell and flung herself at him. She always seemed to trust he’d catch her.

The wistful expression on Addy’s face ate at him. “Aw, Addy, I wish—”

She tried to smile. “Go have fun. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye, Mama!” Peg waved.

****

It was a busy day at the jailhouse. Keegan and Shane managed to get Ilene into Shannon’s wagon unnoticed. Addy hoped they were all at Cinders’ ranch by now. Judge Gleason stopped in and let her know the authorities were looking into the deaths of her parents. They, too, thought something wasn’t right, but they couldn’t figure out what it was.

Edith stopped in and brought her a bar of rose-scented soap to wash with. Edith’s kindness almost made her cry. She brought fried chicken and wonderful flakey biscuits for the noon meal. Addy was determined to learn her secret to cooking.

Shane wiped his hands and mouth with his napkin. “Edith is a great cook. I have to make the rounds. I’ll be back in a bit.”

“It was good. Enjoy the fresh air.” Addy smiled but she didn’t feel the smile within her. She had somehow thought she’d be in jail a day at most and had forgotten to ask for something to read. She paced in her cell then finally sat down. When the door opened, she hoped it wasn’t William.

“Well, well, well. I heard tell there was a woman in here. I could bail you out. You could pay me back.” John Hardy told her with a sarcastic smile.

“No, thank you. I’d rather stay in jail.”

“I thought as much, but a man has to try. You haven’t seen a girl with dark hair have you?” He stared at her as though he could read her mind.

“The only girl I’ve seen is my daughter, Peg.”

“Oh, that little brat? She’s going to be a looker when she grows up.”

Addy gasped and her hand went to her throat. “It’s time for you to leave.”

“No law sayin’ I can’t be here. Maybe there’s an extra key around here and I could lock us both in.”

Her face heated, and she huddled in the corner of the cell. “Shane should be here soon. He won’t like you being here.”

“It’s Shane, is it? Cozy how you’re on a first name basis with the sheriff. Says a lot about your character. I do believe I need you working for me.” He wrapped his pudgy fingers around the bars. “We could make us some real good money.”

“I’m married!”

“Not according to that Boston gent. He says you belong to him. I wonder how much he’d take for you. I get the feelin’ he don’t like you.” Hardy leered at her.

She turned away, not wanting to see his sly smiles or his ogling eyes. Perhaps he’d get the message and just leave.

“I said he don’t like you, and I’m going to buy you.”

She stayed perfectly still.

“Fine, I’ll be back.” He walked incredibly slow to the door and finally left.

Taking a deep breath she thanked God they had gotten Ilene away from him. It sounded like the exact same thing had happened to Shannon with that despicable John Hardy. A chill went through her. No matter what her fate, she wouldn’t resort to working for that awful man.

“Addy?” she glanced up and realized Shane was back.

“I’m sorry, wool gathering I suppose.”

“I saw Hardy leave here. Are you all right?”

His concern touched her. “Yes, he said something about buying me from William. He’s looking for Ilene, but I didn’t let on I’d seen her.”

“I’ve got to keep a better eye on him. I should have known there was a new girl there. He’s one of the reasons I was hired. I’m supposed to keep him in my sights and prevent this from happening.” He plopped down into his chair looking glum.

“You did rescue her. She’s safe.”

“I hope so. He should have gone to jail for slashing Shannon’s face but from what I hear, it was her word against his. No hope there.”

“Shane? What will happen to me if they decide I kidnapped my niece?”

“With William and his lawyers, you’ll probably go to a women’s reformatory.” Shane rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “I’ve never been to one, but you do hard labor just like the men. I’ll do whatever I can to keep you from going there.”

Addy swallowed hard but the lump in her throat wouldn’t go away. “I knew it wasn’t tea parties and garden clubs, but I had hoped it wouldn’t be that bad. I knew a young man once who was falsely accused, and he was sent off to prison. When he came back every shadow startled him. He was like a hollow version of himself. The men who came back from the confederate prisons were worse.”

“The ones who came back from the Yankee prisons didn’t fare any better.”

“Hell all around. I’ve lived a privileged life where the war didn’t alter much for me. The young men I grew up with all paid another man to serve in their place. I remember at the time I thought it delightfully clever. Now I see it for what it was. It was cowardice. Not always on the young men’s part but on the part of their families who paid so their sons would be spared. William fit in that category. My parents paid a servant to go in his place. His name was Todd Smalls, and he died in battle. I remember my parents telling his mother, who worked for us, how sorry they were, but she didn’t get a day off to mourn her boy.”