Love's Revenge (Entangled Scandalous)
Page 20
“Well, move ahead, woman, so’s I can give a howdy to the group.”
Peg rushed headlong toward Kate, embracing both she and the boy in her arms. “Oh, but you’re a sight for sore eyes. A day didn’t go by that I didn’t fear you’d been eaten by a bear or frozen in some mountain.”
Kate laughed. “We’re perfectly fine, Peg. Perfectly.” She looked toward Stephen, who had set down her valise next to the hall table.
“Well, did you get the bastard?” Dusty blurted out.
“Morse and several of his men have been taken to Canon City for trial thanks to the persistence of a Pinkerton man Kate hired. They’re to stand trial for Lizzie’s murder and for attempting to murder us as well.”
“Murder you? Oh, Lord.”
“Everything is fine now, Peg.” Kate smoothed away a stray curl that had fallen into Andy’s eyes.
Stephen moved to Kate’s side. “We’ve a story and a half to tell you all, but first...” He held his hands out to Andy. “Tell your mother she must share you.”
“Papa!” Andy moved into his father’s arms.
Kate caught Peg and Dusty exchanging a glance. Stephen had never referred to Kate as Andy’s mother. It was something he had meticulously avoided in the past.
“Well?” Peg asked. Dusty’s eyes were wide with curiosity as well.
“Well what?” Stephen kept one arm around Andy and wound the other around Kate’s waist.
“Don’t torment us, boy. We’re too old for such game-playing.” Dusty stomped his foot.
“What is it you want to know?” Stephen teased.
“You know, about...”
“Oh, about that.” Stephen raised an eyebrow. “I think my wife should be the one to answer any questions about that.”
“Your wife?”
Kate beamed. “Yes, we were married in Canon City day before yesterday.”
“Married.” Peg elbowed Dusty. “I told you, but you wouldn’t believe me.”
“Well we’ve a surprise of our own. Did you tell him to come?”
“Of course I did woman. He was right on my heels.”
“Uncle George?” Kate rushed forward to embrace the man who appeared in the kitchen doorway. “What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t stand not knowing that you were safe. I came after the Pinkerton man sent his first report. Just yesterday I got a telegram here in Denver from him.” He extended a hand to Stephen. “I’m sorry, son. We were wrong about you from the beginning. I’ve forgiven you and I’m sure Mary Katherine will as well.” He put an arm around Kate’s shoulder.
She smiled. “Oh, I have, Uncle. You have not heard. I’ve found a new metallurgist to help us with the smelting operation.”
“And who would that be, my dear?”
“My husband, Uncle. My new and dearly loved husband.”
Uncle George was momentarily taken aback. But he recovered quickly seeing his niece’s happiness. He folded her into an embrace.
Stephen smiled. “I think it is time to celebrate. A cookie and some milk would do the trick. What do you think, Andy?”
“Cookie?” Andy brightened.
“Yes, a cookie.” He put his free arm around Kate and led the small group toward the kitchen. He smiled down at Kate. “Maybe even two.”
Acknowledgments
With thanks to Mira Perrizo, Publisher, Johnson Books for use of the Sinawaf creation story. (Utes, The Mountain People by Jan Pettit, Johnson Books: Boulder, 1990)
About the Author
Joan Avery was an award-winning writer/producer at a major national advertising agency for over fifteen years before she “retired” to raise a family and write. Joan has been blessed with a daughter, two sons and two stepsons. She and her husband now have five grandchildren. Although she has lived in the Detroit area her entire life she has traveled extensively for both work and leisure. She and her husband, an attorney, have visited many fascinating parts of the world. Joan feels her travels enrich her writing. THE WORTH BROTHERS’ TRILOGY takes place in three of her favorite places.
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