Gene thanked the man. “I understand your concerns, but this year’s crop is going to be good for everyone.”
The farmer shook his head. “You don’t know about next year, do ya? Not unless the good Lord himself has been a’ whisperin’ in your ear.”
Megan bit down on her lower lip, but Justin heard a small giggle escape. He leaned over and nudged her. “Shh. He’s stating his opinion, not being disrespectful.”
She looked up at him, her hazel eyes alight with amusement. “I know, but I don’t think Gene or Colleen see it that way,” she whispered.
Justin glanced over at Megan’s sister and saw Colleen stiffening in her seat. If she sat any straighter, she was going to pull her hips clean off her legs.
The farmer twisted the hat in his hands. “I’m willin’ to pay my share. I want my young’uns to learn to read some and do cipherin’. I’m just pointin’ out that we don’t know what’s gonna happen next year. I can’t make no promises about salaries ’til I know.”
“Good point,” another farmer called. “We ain’t all rich like you, Reverend.”
Gene cleared his throat. “My wife has a small inheritance. That hardly classifies us as rich.”
“Richer than us,” someone in the middle of the church mumbled.
Justin was surprised when Megan rose to her feet. She was the first woman to speak. At the sight of her, Colleen blanched and drew her mouth into a straight line. Gene tugged at his collar.
“Perhaps we should consider a different plan of payment,” Megan said. “What if, instead of everyone paying the same amount, which could be a hardship for many, we have people pay according to what they earn? If there’s a bad year for crops, those of us whose income doesn’t depend on the favors of weather and pestilence could pick up the extra. In years with good crops, farmers could pay more.”
Several people mumbled their agreement. Justin looked at his wife. Her idea made sense.
“I’ve never heard anything so stupid.” Mrs. Greeley bounced to her feet. “Megan Bartlett, you sit down and be quiet. You don’t even have a child.”
Justin started to stand up. Megan placed a warning hand on his shoulder. The room grew quiet.
“My name is Megan Kincaid, and I’m responsible for the welfare of a child. My concerns are as great as yours.”
“Sit down!” Mr. Greeley tugged his wife’s arm until she plopped down next to him. Megan stood for several more seconds, as if to show people she wasn’t afraid, then she took her seat.
Gene cleared his throat. “Perhaps it would be best if the women left the decisions to the menfolk and—”
He was cut off by the sound of twenty women calling out protests. Justin grinned. Megan’s brother-in-law was braiding the rope for his own hanging.
“Ladies, please. Ladies!” His voice rose as he tried to get order.
Justin leaned over to Megan. “Your idea was interesting. I liked it.”
“Thank you. It’ll get voted down, but I wanted to say my piece.” She pointed across the room. “I don’t suppose I’ve endeared myself to my sister.”
Colleen was fanning herself and appeared to be breathing heavily. The flush of color on her cheeks added to her appearance of agitation. “I wouldn’t let it bother you,” he said, wondering how the same family could have produced such different women.
“But Justin, you should be more concerned.” Megan’s voice was teasing. He glanced down at her and raised his eyebrows. She leaned closer so that their arms were pressed together and their shoulders brushed. “After all, my sweet sister is now your sister-in-law.”
He groaned softly. “You’re a wicked woman to remind me of that.”
Her smile was impish. He could hear the discussion continue to flow around them, but he didn’t pay any attention to what was being said. Instead, he studied Megan and wished they were alone. He wanted to kiss her. It was a foolish desire that would only lead to trouble, but he couldn’t not want her. Even knowing how she felt about him, even knowing she’d been forced into marrying him. He tried to summon male pride to combat the weakness, but it was useless. Around her, he had no pride, nothing but need and desire. She could leave him broken and bleeding, and he would still come crawling back to her.
“I promise we’ll only have to spend holidays with them,” she said, smiling softly.
“That’s not much of a consolation.”
“Maybe you’ll get lucky and Colleen won’t ever speak to me again.”
“That would be nice,” he admitted, then thought he wouldn’t want that for her. Despite Colleen’s priggish ways, Megan cared for her sister. He would suffer her presence if it made Megan happy.
We’ll only have to spend holidays with them. He stiffened as he grasped the meaning of her words and the implication that they would still be together year after year. Would they? Would this mockery of a marriage endure? He thought not. He would perish from need if he had to continue living with her and not be able to claim her as his.
He shifted on the hard seat and wished the meeting would end. Conversations sprang up around them as small groups discussed the merits of each plan presented. Megan listened intently but didn’t interrupt. Justin didn’t care what they decided. He wanted to believe he would stay, that he and Megan would have a marriage in more than name, but it wasn’t likely. She had been right when she’d accused him of being unable to forgive her for the past. He knew he was right about her being unable to love him for what he was.
Time ticked by slowly and the temperature in the small church increased. If the damn pew had a back, he could have relaxed and dozed off. He shifted again.
“Sit still,” Megan whispered, tapping his forearm. “This is important.”
He folded his arms over his chest and exhaled. “It’s boring. I’m of a mind to just give them enough money to build the schoolhouse and hire the teacher.”
“I’m surprised you’d offer so much of your salary for this.”
She didn’t know, he thought, feeling alert for the first time in an hour. Why would she? No one knew. He grinned. “I wouldn’t have to use my salary,” he said, realizing he was about to surprise her. Megan wouldn’t care about money; she’d never worried about going hungry. But he knew what that felt like. When he’d been no more than twelve, he’d promised himself he would never be poor or hungry again. It had taken almost the entire seven years he’d been gone, but he’d kept the promise to himself.
“How would you pay for it?” she asked, her delicate eyebrows drawing together.
He leaned close and whispered in her ear. Not because he didn’t want anyone to hear what he was saying but because he liked being close to her and smelling the rosewater rinse she used in her hair. “I’m rich.”
“What?”
She turned and stared at him. Their faces were inches apart. If they hadn’t been in the middle of a crowd, he would have kissed her. “I’ve invested heavily in the railroad. About a year ago, I sold all my shares at a great profit.” He allowed himself a moment of pride. “I’ve got more money than you, your sister and everyone in this damn town combined.”
“Then why did you bother coming back?”
Because I couldn’t go on without seeing you again.
The thought sprang to his mind fully formed. He fought against it, but saw the truth. He’d gone on about making the past right, about proving the town wrong about him, but the real truth was he’d come back for Megan.
“I had some unfinished business.”
Before she could ask another question, someone in the last pew stood up and started walking toward the front. Justin recognized the handsome widower, Cameron Forbes.
As Cameron walked the length of the church, all conversation ceased. Megan straightened and faced front. When he reached Gene, Cameron pulled a small bag out of his trouser pocket and placed it on the table at the head of the aisle. The bag clunked as it settled on the wood. Justin stared at the man. He’d just set down a lot of money.
“There’s
enough there to build the school and pay the teacher for the first year. Between now and the time that year is over, you can figure out how to keep her paid.” Cameron’s eyes swept over the assembly. Something dark and painful flickered in his gaze. “I’ll build a three-room house on my property, by the main road. The teacher can stay there at no charge. The way I see it, if the teacher doesn’t have to board from family to family, it’ll be easier to hire someone good. I’ll leave the rest of it up to you folks.”
With that, he jammed his hat on his head and stomped out of the church. There was a moment of silence after his departure, then the room exploded into conversation.
“What the hell was that about?” Justin asked.
“I’m not sure.” Megan turned and stared after the man. “He lost his wife and daughter a few years back. I don’t think he’s ever gotten over the loss. Maybe it has something to do with that.”
Justin understood about a woman being hard to get over.
Gene pounded on the desk at the front of the church, but no one paid him any mind. As far as the townspeople were concerned, the issue of how to pay for a schoolroom and a teacher had just been solved.
Megan stood up and rubbed the small of her back. Justin watched as the movement thrust out her breasts, making him remember how her tender flesh had felt against his hands, and tasted in his mouth. He swallowed hard, knowing he was a fool to continually dwell on that which he could not have. He tore his gaze away, only to see Colleen sweeping down on them from across the room.
He bumped Megan’s arm and jerked his head in Colleen’s direction. “If we hurry, we can beat her out the door.”
Megan hesitated, then shook her head. “I have to face her sometime.” She waited until her sister was directly in front of her, then nodded. “Colleen, you’re looking well.”
“I wish I could say the same.” Colleen gave an insincere smile, then glared at Justin. Slowly, he pushed up until he was standing. “I see marriage has not improved your manners,” she said.
He grinned. “I’m sure you’re right, however it’s brought me into the warm bosom of your family. I know how much that must please you.”
Colleen’s thin lips pinched together as if she’d tasted something bitter. She huffed and turned her back on him. “I don’t know how you stand him, Megan, however I didn’t come to fight with you.”
“Oh?” Megan met her sister’s gaze squarely. Justin placed a supporting hand on her shoulder. He was grateful when she didn’t shrug him off. “Why did you come over?”
“We’re sisters. I know in my heart what you did was wrong. You’re a sinner in the eyes of the Lord and in the eyes of this town.”
“This is your idea of not fighting?” Justin blurted out. “Should Megan be grateful for your criticisms?” He’d never hit a woman before, but there was something about Colleen that tried his self-control. He gritted his teeth. “I warn you, Colleen, I won’t stand here and listen to you speak this way to my wife.”
Megan glanced up at him. The brief look spoke of her gratitude and her request that he let her handle the situation.
He growled an assent, all the while ready to protect her, by force if necessary.
Colleen ignored him. “However, you are my sister and I must ignore my distaste of what you’ve done. It wouldn’t be seemly of me to turn my back on you.”
“Go ahead and do it,” Megan said softly.
Justin stared down at her. He couldn’t have heard her correctly. But he must have. Colleen stared at her with an incredulous look on her narrow face.
“Pardon me?” she said.
“Go ahead,” Megan repeated. “Turn your back on me, Colleen. I don’t care anymore.” Under his hand he felt Megan’s muscles relaxing as she spoke. He squeezed her shoulder. She reached up and put her hand on top of his. “I’ve married Justin Kincaid and we’ve taken Bonnie in as our own child. Nothing you can say or do is going to change that. I’m not afraid of you or your threats. If you wish us to be a family, I’m very willing to accommodate that. You and I only have each other. But if you won’t accept my husband and my child, I won’t have anything to do with you. And I do mean accept. No snide remarks, or subtle references to lack of manners, breeding or whatever else you wish to spend your time finding fault with. Accept them as your equals, or lose me forever.”
Colleen opened her mouth but no sound came. She tried again, her hands balling up into fists. “You dare to dictate to me?” she asked, her voice incredulous. Her gaze swept over Megan, then settled on him. Justin remained in place, his weight balanced on the balls of his feet. If he had to, he was prepared to move quickly. He wasn’t afraid of Colleen for himself, but for Megan. Despite her brave words, she could still be badly hurt by her sister.
“I dare that and more,” Megan answered. She turned toward Justin and nodded to the door. “Let’s go home.”
He stepped back to allow her to precede him. They’d almost made it to the front steps, when Colleen recovered. “It’s him, isn’t it, Megan?” she called.
Justin wanted to keep walking but his wife had other plans. She paused and glanced over her shoulder.
“This is all because of that bastard, isn’t it?” Colleen pointed an accusing finger at him. There were only a few people left in the church. Her words hung inside the building and everyone turned to stare. “He’s the reason you never married, even when you had your chance. You’ve been waiting for him to return. You’re a fool, Megan Bartlett. He’ll never care about you. He’ll leave you stranded with more bastard brats to feed.”
Justin thought about retracing his steps and shutting Colleen up. He watched her face turn red and her eyes disappear into slits as she spewed out her filth. Then he shook his head. She wasn’t worth the trouble.
Megan turned away from her sister. “Let’s go home,” she repeated. She took his arm and they started down the stairs. Before they could even reach the path that led toward town and the Bartlett house, a man darted out of the shadows.
Mr. Greeley smiled nervously, then pulled off his hat. “I’m sorry about my wife, ma’am,” he said, then glanced at Justin. “Mrs. Greeley isn’t always a happy woman.”
Justin didn’t answer. He stared at the man for a moment, then nodded.
“I’m going to have a talk with her tonight. You’ve done a fine job, Sheriff. And Miss Bartlett, ah, Mrs. Kincaid, you’re real fair to us folks. Your sister and her husband are trying hard to turn the town against you. I just wanted to let you know that we all stand behind you on this.”
Justin stared at the smaller man. He pictured the butcher’s tall dragon of a wife and felt a twinge of pity for him. He held out his hand. “Much obliged.”
Mr. Greeley grinned and they shook hands. “You want anything special from my shop, you come tell me. It’s never any trouble.”
“We appreciate that,” Justin said and watched the man walk away. He didn’t envy him his conversation with Mrs. Greeley that night.
“You must be very happy,” Megan said, taking his arm as they started toward town. “You’re proving them all wrong.”
“I suppose.” He shoved his free hand into his trouser pocket. He’d waited seven years for the victory but it didn’t taste as sweet as he’d thought it would. He would give it all back in a minute if it meant Megan would continue to hold on to him as they walked and trust him to keep her safe.
“I noticed at the meeting how many people greeted you. Quite a difference from your first day in Landing,” she said.
A cold feeling slipped over him. He tried to ignore the sensation and its source, but it drew all the warmth from him until he had to clench his muscles tight to keep from shivering. A knot formed in his stomach. As Megan chattered on, the knot tightened.
“I’m not sure if Colleen is going to come around, but I have to say, I don’t really care. She thinks she controls the town, but she’s wrong. If she forces things between us, I believe she’ll be the one cast aside by everyone.” Megan cuddled close to him. “
They respect you, Justin. I’m so proud of you.”
He’d been ignoring the truth for days, but he couldn’t any longer. The knot in his gut grew until the pain threatened to drop him to his knees.
Megan wasn’t warm and friendly because she’d come to care about him. It didn’t matter that he’d never stopped loving her, that he still loved her. What mattered to her was what other people thought. Now that the town had accepted him, she could accept him, too. It was safe for her to be seen with him now. He was respectable, so her reputation was safe.
He shouldn’t have been surprised. Megan had always cared about what other people thought more than anything. He even understood why. But that didn’t change anything. It didn’t change the fact that she would never love him for himself. It didn’t change the fact that her reputation mattered more to her than he did.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. He kept walking, even when she tugged on his arm. “Justin?”
“I thought it was different,” he said at last. “But it isn’t, is it?”
“I—I don’t understand. Why are you suddenly angry?”
He stopped and turned to face her. Moonlight illuminated her feminine features, the line of her cheek, her full mouth. God, he didn’t want to still care about her. He didn’t want to be trapped by a love that would never be returned.
“You must be happy,” he said, trying to keep the bitterness from his voice. “How convenient that your husband has at last become respectable. Now it’s safe to be married to me.”
“What are you saying?”
“The truth, Megan. It’s all right to tell it to me. We’re old friends. I guess I know you better than anyone. I know how much your reputation matters.”
She flinched. “Is that what you think of me?” Her eyes filled with tears. “That I’ve been waiting for the town to pass judgment before I sanction this marriage?”
“Don’t worry. I won’t walk out on you.” He couldn’t, damn it all to hell. Even if he wanted to.
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