Second Chance Brides

by McDonough, Vickie;

  Her whole body trembled, and she’d never been closer to crying. What would her ma say when she learned her daughter was dead?

  “Git on up from there.”

  She hunkered back farther, keeping her eyes shut. Maybe he couldn’t see her if she couldn’t see him. Max whined and licked her hand.

  Some guard dog he was.

  A large hand latched onto her arm and pulled her out. Jack came kicking and flailing her arms. “You let me go! My pa’s gonna lock you up until you’re old and gray if you hurt me.”

  “I ain’t scared of the marshal.”

  Butch held her by the scruff of her collar. She swung her arm and landed a hard hit in his midsection. His warm breath oofed out, and he bent over but didn’t let go. “Stop it, you little beast. I ain’t gonna hurt you.”

  Jack froze. “Then let me go.”

  “No. You need to be taught not to meddle in other people’s affairs. You cost me a good job today, and I needed the work. If you was a boy, I’d pound the what-for into ya.”

  Jack went limp, her body exhausted. Fear battled anger. “W–what are you gonna do to me?”

  He looked around and chuckled. “Just what you did to me.”

  He hauled her across the room, into a cell, and dropped her onto the cot. Then he hustled back out and shut the door. Stunned, Jack sat there, half-relieved and half-scared out of her wits. What if Luke didn’t return soon or was out hunting down an outlaw?

  And she needed to use the privy.

  Butch grinned. “See how you like being locked up.”

  She bolted off the bed and clutched the bars. “You let me out of here right this instant.”

  “Cain’t do it. I ain’t got the key.”

  She swallowed hard. “Check the drawer. Maybe that’s where Luke keeps them.”

  He pushed out his lips and shook his head. “Nope. I figure it’s time you learned a lesson.” He turned and sauntered toward the door, chuckling.

  Fear washed over her like the time she’d jumped into the river and hadn’t known which way was up. She hated being trapped in small places. Hated pleading with him. “Butch. Please. I promise not to do it again.”

  He stopped but didn’t turn. “No, I’m tired of you and your friends going after me. All I wanted was to be your friend, but you and those boys have caused me trouble since the day I moved here. If I catch them, they’ll be joining you in the next cell.”

  He walked out the door without looking back. Max trotted over to the front of the cell and laid his head on his paw.

  “Butch!” she screamed. “Come back here, you hear me?”

  She rattled the cell door, tears blurring her eyes. “I hate you. I’ll hate you for the rest of my life!”

  One look at Shannon’s face, and Mark knew coming to Denison had been a mistake.

  “What are you doing here?” Her cute brows dipped down, and her lips pursed into an enticing pout.

  Had he mistaken the interest he’d seen in her gaze? He raised his chin. Maybe coming here had been the wrong thing to do, but he’d never let her know. “I had an urge to go riding and needed a few things, and I just ended up in Denison. You never mentioned you were coming here.”

  “So, you’re headed back soon?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. I haven’t yet concluded my business.” And he might never finish it if she didn’t thaw out a bit. She had no idea how hard it had been for him to seek her out. Half a dozen times he’d turned his horse around and started back to Lookout, only to turn around again. At least here, he could talk to her without the whole town listening in and making it tomorrow’s headline. “So…you’ve been shopping, I see.”

  Shannon nodded and glanced over to where Leah and Dan were sitting on a sofa, holding hands and chatting. “Leah bought some fabric for her wedding dress.”

  Mark followed her gaze, still finding it hard to believe Dan Howard had asked a woman to marry him. As far as he could remember, Dan had never shown interest in a female. Maybe now that his mother had died, he realized he needed someone to tend the house, but no, as he watched his friend talk to Miss Bennett, he knew there was more to it. Dan had fallen in love.

  Mark pulled his gaze to Shannon’s, and their eyes locked gazes. He stared at her, unable to tell her the depth of his feelings. He wasn’t even sure what they were himself, but one thing he knew: He’d never had such a strong desire to spend time with a woman before. Not even with Annabelle.

  “I don’t suppose that you’d allow me to escort you to dinner since we’re both in town.”

  Surprise brightened her eyes before she narrowed them. “I thought you had to get back to Lookout. I’d hate to see you riding that far after dark.”

  “Are you worried about me?”

  Her lips pursed again. “Not you. I’m concerned about your horse.”

  His heart lifted. “You’re not a very good liar, Miss O’Neil.”

  She hiked her chin and glared up at him. “If anything happened to you, I’d be working solely for your brother.” She shuddered as if the idea repulsed her.

  Mark laughed aloud, drawing Dan and Leah’s gaze. “We can’t have that, can we?”

  Shannon kept a straight face for a moment, then cracked a smile. “I do believe I’d have to resign.”

  He placed his hand on chest, acting as if the thought brought pain to it, and in fact, it did. Thinking of not seeing her each morning, not watching her nibble on her fingernails, brought an ache to his heart. When had he started looking forward to seeing her?

  And what was he going to do about it?

  Dan stood and helped Leah up, then both walked toward him. Dan slapped him on the shoulder. “What are you doing in Denison?”

  “Had some things to purchase and needed to exercise my horse. He’s getting fat and lazy since I hardly have time to ride him anymore.”

  “You could always let me keep him at the livery. I could feed him and rent him out in exchange.”

  Mark shook his head. “Thanks, but I don’t think so. I may not ride him as much as I should, but I don’t like the idea of a stranger maybe mistreating him.”

  “I hear ya. I do my best to make sure no greenhorns ride my horses, but even a seasoned rider can mistreat animals. Makes me so angry I’d like to punch them.”

  Leah grasped Dan’s arm. “Let’s not have any of that kind of talk, all right?”

  “You’re not even married yet, and the little lady is already bossing you around.” Mark grinned.

  Dan chuckled. “It’s not so bad. You oughta try it yourself.”

  Both women’s cheeks had turned red, Mark noted. But he doubted it was for the same reason.

  “Why don’t you join us for supper?” Dan asked.

  “I might just do that. What time are you eating?”

  “The ladies need to make another trip to the store for a few more items and then get cleaned up.” Dan glanced at the big clock on the wall behind the registration desk. “What about six? Will that give you enough time to finish your business?”

  “Yeah, that should be fine. Meet you back in the lobby?” Mark’s gaze darted to Shannon, who looked like she’d just eaten a sour pickle.

  Was he making another mistake? Why were women so difficult to read?

  “Sounds good. See you then.” Dan took the packages the women held, and then the ladies exited the hotel while Dan ran up the stairs. As Shannon walked out the door, she cast an unreadable glance over her shoulder.

  Mark slouched into a chair. Why had he thought it so important to come here today?

  So what if he had feelings for Shannon. He couldn’t act on them.

  But the bottom line was, he wanted to be with her. To spend time with her without his brother teasing him—and this was about the only chance he’d get.

  He leaned his head back and stared up at the decorative plaster ceiling. Was it wrong of him to dream of a life he couldn’t have?

  The preacher said that God forgave sins, but one of the Ten Commandments was “Thou
shalt not kill.”

  And he was a killer.

  Yeah, he’d only been defending a saloon girl’s honor, such as it was, and he hadn’t meant to kill that cowpoke. He’d just reacted when the man reached for his gun.

  Mark ran his hand through his hair. Shannon deserved someone better than him, no matter how deep his feelings for her were. He wanted something he could never have—to be married. To be Shannon’s husband. To be a father.

  Yeah, coming here had been a mistake.

  A big one.

  CHAPTER 20

  Shannon’s stomach twisted into a knot as she walked down the stairs and saw Mark leaning against a pillar, watching her. His intense gaze never left her, and it made her feel cherished. Cared for.

  But how could that be? He’d never once indicated having feelings for her. She glanced over her shoulder and realized he must be watching Leah. Her friend was wearing a new yellow dress that Dan had insisted she purchase when they went to look for material to make new curtains for the kitchen and parlor of their house.

  Her hands trembled as much as her legs. How would she ever get through this meal? The supper she’d earlier looked forward to, she now just wished was over and done with.

  Mark pushed away from the pillar and walked toward her. “You look lovely tonight.”

  Shannon ducked her head, certain her cheeks were bright red. She was wearing the same dress he’d seen earlier, but she’d washed and pinned up her hair. Not that it did much good. The stubborn wavy tresses came down almost as fast as she pinned them up, but Leah said men liked that look, so she’d left her chignon in their room.

  “I’m so hungry I could eat a whole mule train.” Dan rubbed his belly and chuckled.

  Leah swatted his arm. “Oh, you. A big steak will taste much better.”

  He smiled and patted her hand. “You’re right, my dear.” Mark looked at Shannon and rolled his eyes. She couldn’t help smiling.

  “Yes, dear. No, dear. You sound like an old married couple.” Mark shook his head.

  “Try it. You just might like it yourself,” Dan challenged.

  “What I’d like is some supper.” Mark crooked his elbow and held it out to Shannon. “Care to join me?”

  She nodded and took his arm. As they walked into the restaurant, her eyes took in everything at once. A dozen colorful, stained-glass lamps brightly illuminated the room. White tablecloths covered twenty or so tables, only half of which had customers dining at them. A small bouquet of flowers sat in the middle of each one. Somehow, she knew this would be a night she would dream about for a long time to come.

  They placed their orders and dined. All too soon, the meal ended. Shannon and Mark followed their friends outside.

  “Leah and I are of a mind to take a walk.”

  Shannon didn’t miss the subtle hint that the engaged couple wanted to be alone. “I’ll return to my room. It’s been a long day.”

  “Nonsense.” Mark waved at Dan and Leah. “You two be off, and we’ll just head out the opposite direction. This town’s plenty big enough for two couples to go walking without runnin’ into each other.”

  Two couples? Shannon’s heart leapt. Was he just saying that to keep Leah from worrying? Her friend gave her a questioning stare, and Shannon nodded. “Go on with ya. I’ll be fine with Mark. ’Twill do me good to walk off that big meal before I retire for the night.”

  Leah stared at her as if she was unsure whether she should leave, but when Dan tugged on her arm, she followed. Shannon studied Mark as he watched the couple amble away. He had a handsome profile, with his straight nose and tanned skin. His blond hair curled over his collar in a boyish manner, but there was nothing childish about this man. He stirred her heart and made her wish for things that she didn’t believe she’d ever have. A husband. A home. A family of her own.

  He turned her way and smiled. Her heart somersaulted at the intensity in his eyes. “Shall we walk?”

  She nodded and took his arm, feeling proud that she was the woman he was escorting. They strolled along, not talking, and she studied the town. Denison was much bigger than Lookout. Thousands of people lived here—had moved here after the railroad came through more than a decade ago. Denison had much more to offer than Lookout, but she missed the coziness of the smaller town.

  “So, how do you like living in Texas?”

  She wasn’t exactly sure how to answer that, given all that had happened since she arrived. “’Tis quite hot here.”

  Mark chuckled. “Yep, it’s that.”

  “I like the people I’ve met here.”

  “All of them?” He glanced down, brows lifted.

  She thought of that outlaw bride who’d tricked them all and Mark’s rascally brother. “Most of them.”

  He led her down the boardwalk steps, holding her steady, and then up the next set of stairs. “Do you figure on stayin’ in Lookout?”

  “Where else would I be goin’? I’ve no family, nowhere at all.” She thought how she’d so recently considered moving to Dallas. What would he say if she mentioned that?

  “All that’s left of my family is in Lookout. Garrett. Luke. I left once, you know.”

  She darted a look at him at that surprising news. “Where did you go?”

  He shrugged and led her toward the edge of town. The sun had nearly set, casting brilliant hues of orange and pink on the underbellies of the clouds. The view took her breath away, made her believe anything was possible. Bless You, heavenly Father, for creating such a masterpiece.

  “I traveled around some and then ended up in Abilene,” he finally continued.

  “Where is that?”

  “A ways from here. Further west, more toward the middle of the state.”

  She leaned against a post, enjoying the timbre of his voice and their casual conversation. He’d never told her anything about himself before. “What was it that you did there?”

  He remained silent for a while, and she wondered if he’d answer. He looked far away, lost in his thoughts. Finally, he cleared his throat. “I interned with a lawyer.”

  She had the uncanny feeling that more happened there than he was letting on. Now she understood a bit why he read so many law books. He must have been bitten by the lawyer bug while in Abilene.

  He suddenly turned to face her. “Shannon, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  She raised her hand to her chest, hoping, praying he was about to confess his affection for her. Please, Lord.

  He reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, stealing her breath away. The passion in his gaze made her reach for her dream.

  “I want you to know you’ve been doing a fine job in the office. Much better than either Garrett or I expected.”

  As if a stiff wind had just blown through, she watched her dream slip from her grasp. He was happy with her work? That was all?

  “I…you need to know something.” He stared off at the sunset, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “I don’t ever intend to marry.”

  Shannon sucked in a quick breath. Her hand relaxed as if she’d totally turned loose of any hopes of a life with Mark. Her body felt weighted down. Heavy.

  He turned to her suddenly, his eyes pleading. “You have to know. You’re just the kind of woman I’d want—if I were looking to marry.”

  She closed her eyes, not wanting him to see the pain his words brought. She wouldn’t cry—not in front of him. “I…think we should be heading back.” She turned without waiting for him, willing the sting out of her eyes.

  “Shannon.”

  She ignored his call and hastened her steps. He grabbed her arm suddenly, pulling her to his chest. She fought his hold, knowing she had to get away or she’d lose all her composure. He held tight, refusing to let go until she stopped her struggle. Her breath came in short bursts.

  “Shannon, this doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

  Friends. Ha! She wanted to laugh in his face. He was oblivious to the struggle she’d been having the past fe
w weeks.

  “Look at me.”

  She turned her face back toward the indigo twilight.

  He cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. His blue gaze captured hers, and he studied her face. “Why are you taking this so hard?”

  She blinked her eyes, knowing she could never explain how he’d stolen her heart. But he didn’t want it. Why couldn’t he just let her go and be done with it?

  His expression turned tender, and he cocked his head. “Oh, Shannon. Please tell me you haven’t fallen in love with me. I’m nothing but a scoundrel.”

  His comment brought tears, and right on its tail, anger. How dare this Corbett meddle in her life one second more. She jerked, trying to get free of his grasp. “Let me go or I’ll scream,” she hissed.

  “You don’t want to do that.”

  “No?” She sucked in a breath, ready to call for help, and his lips crashed down on hers. She couldn’t breathe. She didn’t want to. She only enjoyed the moment, knowing it would never happen again.

  After too short a moment, he jumped back, his own breath ragged. Running his hand through his hair, he stared at her in the growing darkness. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

  Irritation and loss soaked her like a downpour. She reached out and slapped him, then turned and stalked back toward the hotel. Not even when that college man at the Wakefield Estate she’d worked at in Shreveport had almost forced her into his room had she felt so horrible.

  She held up her skirt to hasten her progress. She wouldn’t cry. She couldn’t. Not here.

  Quick steps followed her, and she picked up her pace. Striding into the hotel, she nearly collided with another woman—a woman with almost the same coloring as herself. Shannon sidestepped her and made a beeline for the stairs. She had nothing more to say to that man.

  “Well, well, if it isn’t Mark Corbett. I thought I’d never find you again.”

  Shannon halted halfway up the stairs and turned. The woman, dressed in a purple sateen dress that would look more at place in a saloon than a classy hotel, blocked Mark’s way. His face had gone almost white.

  Who was that woman? How did Mark know her?