Second Chance Brides

by McDonough, Vickie;

  “What happened to your shooting hand? And what’s this on your handsome face, darling?” She placed her hand on the red splotch where Shannon had slapped him and frowned. Mark’s gaze lifted to Shannon, and the woman’s followed.

  “Who is she?” The words spewed out like snake venom.

  Mark blinked and stared at the woman again. “Annabelle?”

  Jack rolled over in her bed and stretched. Sweat dampened her cheek, making her hair stick to it. She rubbed her eyes, then opened them. Was it morning?

  No, it was dark outside, and she was still wearing her clothes. Why had she slept in her clothes?

  Footsteps sounded across the room, and she bolted upright. The jail.

  A match hissed and flickered; then someone lit the lantern. “There you are, Max. I was wondering where you’d gotten off to.” Luke squatted and rubbed the old dog’s head. “Why’d you come down here?”

  Jack scooted back into the shadows, embarrassed for Luke to find her there. But if she didn’t let him know, she’d be stuck for who knows how long.

  “Get up, boy. I need you to help me find that ornery girl of ours. She missed supper, and her ma’s worried.”

  Jack’s stomach growled. She’d been there that long? All that yelling and being angry at Butch must have tuckered her clean out. Her eyes ached, and her throat stung.

  Holding the lantern in his left hand, Luke headed for the door. She jumped off the bed. “Wait!”

  He spun around, and yanked his gun out of his holster faster than she could sneeze.

  She scrambled backward. “Don’t shoot. It’s just me, Luke.”

  He holstered his gun and hurried across the room, his boots thudding on the wood floor. He held up the lantern, and the light flickered against his skin, brightening the dark cell. His eyes were filled with concern. “How’d you get stuck in there, half bit?”

  Ducking her head, she toed the brick floor. Keys rattled. The lock clicked, and the door creaked open.

  Luke walked in, followed by Max, and the cot squeaked as the marshal lowered his large body onto it. He set the lantern on the floor. “Come sit by me, Jack.”

  That was something she’d always liked about him. Even though it angered her ma, he still called her Jack instead of Jacqueline—although she was growing partial to “half bit” as he sometimes called her. She did as he requested and leaned against his arm.

  “Was it that Laird boy?”

  After all that had happened, she hated to get Butch into more trouble, but it was his fault that she was trapped in the dark, stinky cell. She nodded. “Yeah, it was him.”

  “What happened?” He put his arm around her, tugging her close.

  Here she went again. If she told him the truth, she and her friends would be in big trouble. But she didn’t want to lie.

  Luke turned and gently grasped both of her arms. His dark brows scrunched together, and his eyes looked worried. “Did he hurt you?”

  She shook her head. “No. He just wanted to teach me a lesson.”

  A muscle in Luke’s jaw twitched. “Somebody needs to teach that boy not to pick on smaller kids, especially not girls.” Luke jumped up and paced the small cell. He smacked his fist into his palm, making such a loud smack that she jumped. “I’m going to chase him and that no good father of his clean out of Lookout.”

  Jack’s eyes widened. She’d never seen Luke so mad. Not even when his cousins had ordered those three mail-order brides for him. She wanted to tell him that Butch hadn’t started things this time, but her mouth wouldn’t work. She scooted back against the wall. Her real pa had looked ferocious, just like that, before he started whacking on her or her ma. Her knees shook, and her heart pounded so hard she thought it might just break through her chest.

  What if Luke started hitting when he got mad like her real pa? She shivered and glanced at the door. She sure didn’t want to be stuck in a cell without her ma to protect her, if Luke started throwing punches. Taking a deep breath, she scooted to the end of the cot. Max had curled up on the floor next to the lantern so at least she wouldn’t have to jump over him. She oughta take him with her, but surely Luke wouldn’t punch his own dog.

  When Luke paced to the back of the cell, she pushed off the cot like a cat with its tail on fire.

  “Jack! What’s wrong?”

  She raced out the door, jumped off the boardwalk, and ran down the middle of the street as fast as she could. She had to find her ma.

  CHAPTER 21

  Mark stared at Annabelle, his mind grappling with the image in front of him. How had she found him? Had he ever told her where he lived?

  He lifted his gaze to where Shannon stood halfway up the hotel stairs, looking down on him. Hurt, confusion laced her gaze. She obviously wondered about Annabelle, but she made no move to come back to the lobby. Suddenly, she turned, hiked up her skirt, and rushed up the stairs and out of sight.

  He never should have kissed her, because it had awakened all his senses. Made him want something he could never have, especially now that Annabelle had turned up. He stared at her. “What are you doing here?”

  She leaned up close, fingered his lapel, and purred, “I’ve missed you, and you never returned to Abilene.”

  He stepped back and glanced around the hotel to see if anyone had noticed her hanging on him. “You know why I couldn’t do that.”

  She clutched his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. “I can’t go back, either.”

  The clerk at the registration desk eyed them with curiosity. Mark grabbed her arm and led her outside into the darkness, where they’d have some privacy. The last thing he needed was someone from Lookout seeing him with her. His reputation would be in the trash heap.

  He walked her down an alley and around to the back of the hotel, away from the lights of the open doors and windows. The tinny music of a saloon piano across the alley and several buildings away drifted toward them, along with the raucous noise and sometimes laughter or hollering of the patrons. At least this early in the evening, it wasn’t too likely they’d be interrupted by a drunk.

  The rear door to the hotel kitchen was open, and the clinking of pots could be heard, as well as the loud talk of the workers. The crickets and night creatures grew silent as Mark guided Annabelle to the edge of the light, back near the stable. Then he turned loose of her and started pacing. What was Shannon thinking right now? Had he hurt her terribly?

  He knew she was developing feelings for him and thought that letting her know where he stood right up front was the decent and proper thing to do, but Annabelle’s arrival had messed up everything. Her timing couldn’t have been worse.

  Annabelle smiled and moved in close again like a cat toying with its prey, walking her fingers up the buttons on his shirt. He didn’t remember her being so…wanton before.

  “Mark, aren’t you happy to see me? It’s been so long, darling.” Her hand caressed his cheek; then her little finger brushed across his lower lip. His senses responded, in spite of trying to resist her.

  Had she always played the temptress? As a man eager to be away from home for the first time, impatient to prove himself and to be out from under his older brother’s shadow, had he unwittingly fallen under her spell?

  “Stop it.” He set her back from him. He was no longer impetuous and naive. Experience had made him cautious and wiser. “What are you doing here?”

  She pouted, but finally stopped her vexing ways. “Everett decided to make me an upstairs gal, and I wouldn’t put up with that, so I lit out of there. Fast and furious.”

  Truth be told, the only thing that surprised him was that she wasn’t a lady of the night already. She certainly hadn’t wasted any time getting him in her bed. He winced at the memory. Forgive me, Lord.

  “I can’t help you, if that’s what you’re wanting.”

  Annabelle flounced her head. “I have money. I just thought you might want to pick up where we left off. You ain’t married to that redheaded tart, are you?” Her sultry smile twist
ed his gut. “Looks to me like you was tryin’ to find a gal just like me. We look enough alike to be sisters.”

  He narrowed his gaze. “Shannon’s nothing like you.”

  “I’m sure she isn’t.” Annabelle drew her index finger down Mark’s cheek and under his chin.

  He swatted it away and stepped back. “I was serious when I said to stop. You can either act civil, or I’ll go back inside.”

  Her lips twisted up on one side. “You have changed, but I like it. You’re no longer that sniveling whiner, complaining about his big brother all the time.”

  He jerked back as if she’d slapped him. Was that what she’d thought about him? He’d loved her—enough to fight another man who’d rough-handled her. Enough to shoot that man dead—in a fair fight, but he was dead just the same. He lifted his hat and raked his fingers through his hair. He’d been near his midtwenties—a grown man—when he’d met Annabelle, but he’d acted more like a runaway kid. It had taken him that time in Abilene to grow up. To make him see that his decisions affected others oft’ times.

  “You didn’t answer me. I don’t see no ring. Are you married to that gal?”

  Mark shook his head. “She works for me and Garrett.”

  “And how is your big brother? Still making you do things you don’t wanna?”

  He clamped his back teeth together, knowing she’d hit the nail on the head. That was one thing that hadn’t changed much. He was still hauling freight when he wanted to become a lawyer, but he wasn’t about to admit that to her. “I’m going inside. It was…interesting seeing you again.”

  He strode past her, but she grabbed his arm. “Wait!”

  Sighing, he turned to face her. With the light of the kitchen door shining bright, he could see how she’d aged. Yes, she was still young, probably only a few years older than Shannon, but working in a saloon all these years had taken its toll on her.

  “What am I going to do? I was hoping you’d help me.”

  He shook his head, feeling sorry for her. “There’s nothing I can do. It’s time you stood on your own two feet.”

  “But I need you.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “You don’t. You never did.”

  He strode away, half-feeling he should do something for her and the other half wishing she hadn’t come to town. One thing was for sure: Shannon would want nothing to do with him now.

  Leah smiled up at Dan as he said good night. She longed for another of the kisses he’d stolen during their walk but knew the hotel lobby wasn’t the place for a display of affection. “I suppose I should retire for the night.”

  Dan squeezed her hand, his dark eyes shining with love. “I wish we were already married, so I didn’t have to let you go.”

  She touched her hand to her warm cheeks. “Be patient, my love. It won’t be much longer.”

  He frowned. “One minute is too long. I’ve waited a lifetime to meet the woman I plan to marry. Maybe I should escort you to your room to make sure nothing happens to you.”

  “Da–an.” She glanced around the lobby. “Do you want folks to think I’m a wanton woman?”

  “Anybody who thinks that needs their attitude readjusted.”

  She grinned. She’d never again have to worry about being watched over and protected. Patting his solid upper arm, she leaned forward. “I will see you in the morning.”

  He nodded and released her other hand. Something behind him caught her eye, and she scowled. What in the world?

  Mark Corbett walked in with another woman beside him. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the woman was Shannon’s sister. Their hair coloring and pale complexion certainly were strikingly similar, as was their height and size. Although, on closer inspection, this woman’s build was a bit larger than Shannon’s petite frame.

  Dan noticed her staring and looked over his shoulder. “Who is that?”

  “A better question is, where is Shannon?”

  Mark’s steps halted when he caught them gawking, and the color fled from his face. Leah stiffened her back and marched toward him. “Where is Shannon?”

  Mark stared at them both, shifting his weight from side to side. “Uh…we finished our walk a short while ago, and she went up to her room.”

  “And who is this?” Leah nodded toward the woman. She was dressed in a purple sateen gown but had a hard look in her hazel eyes.

  Mark tugged at his collar and cleared his throat. “This is…Annabelle. An old friend of mine.”

  Dan’s brows lifted, and she knew that Mark had never mentioned this woman to him. “Annabelle who?”

  Mark’s brows dipped down, and he glanced at the woman. She cleared her throat and smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Annabelle Smith.”

  “I’m Leah Bennett, and this is my fiancé, Dan Howard.”

  Dan tipped his hat and offered a tight-lipped smile. “Ma’am.”

  Annabelle took Mark’s arm, as if he belonged to her. “So, how do you know Mark?”

  Leah wanted to smack the woman off Mark, as if she were nothing but a pesky fly. His discomfort was obvious, but was it because he truly didn’t want to be with the woman or because they’d caught him with her? “We all live in the same town.”

  “Oh?” Miss Smith cocked her head. “And where is that?”

  Mark’s eyes widened and he shook his head, at the same time Dan blurted out, “Lookout, ma’am.”

  “Lookout, huh?” She smiled up at Mark as if she’d won a prize. “Isn’t that east of here?”

  Dan shook his head. “No, ma’am, it’s to the west.”

  Leah wanted to tromp on his foot or wallop his arm. Couldn’t he see that Mark didn’t want the woman knowing where he lived? Suddenly, she had an urge to check on Shannon. Did she know about the woman? What had happened during her walk with Mark?

  “Well, if y’all will excuse me, I’ll retire for the night. It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Smith.” Leah knew she’d have to repent from that white lie eventually. “Good night, Dan. Mr. Corbett.”

  “I’ll walk you to the stairs.” Dan took her elbow and led her away from the other couple. He leaned down next to her ear. “How do you suppose Mark knows her?”

  She shrugged. “Beats me. You’re the one who’s friends with that lowlife Corbett.”

  Dan’s expression turned scolding. “Now, Leah, we don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know where Mark would have met her.” He scratched his jawline with his thumb and forefinger, making a bristling sound against his chin that needed to be shaved again. “Mark did leave Lookout several years ago. Could be he met her back then. I know I’ve never seen her in Lookout.”

  “Well, I don’t like her.” She stood on her tiptoes. “What’s he doing with her when he was just out walking with Shannon?”

  Dan shook his head. “Makes no sense to me.”

  “I’m going to check on Shannon. I’ll see you in the morning, dearest.”

  He smiled and pulled her to his chest, then quickly released her. “See you at breakfast. We need to get on the road right after that.”

  She nodded and hurried up the stairs, anxious to see her friend. When she stepped into the dark room, it took her eyes a moment to adjust. Had Shannon gone to sleep already?

  Feeling her way to the dresser, she found the lamp and turned up the flame. The bed was still made, and Shannon wasn’t in it. At first she thought her friend wasn’t even in the room, but then she heard a sniffle, coming from the sitting area.

  She crossed the room and found Shannon lying on the settee. Her eyes and nose were red, her face splotchy, and her lashes clumped together. Leah knelt on the floor beside her, rubbing her hand over Shannon’s back. “What happened?”

  Shannon sat up and wiped her nose. “Would you, perchance, have a handkerchief I could borrow? I’ve soiled both of the ones I brought with me.”

  “Of course.” Leah pushed aside her curiosity and hurried to her satchel. She rummaged around and found two handkerchiefs and brought them to her f
riend. She sat down beside her. “Would you care to talk about what happened?”

  Shannon’s mouth puckered, and fresh tears ran down the side of her nose. She dabbed at them. “I was foolish.”

  “How so?”

  Shannon stared at her lap and fiddled with the lace edge of the hankie. “I fell in love with a Corbett.”

  Leah knew that much already. In spite of her warnings, Shannon had dropped her guard and let Mark steal her heart. Though Leah would never fall for a Corbett, she had to understand what was upsetting Shannon so she could help her. “And why is that such a bad thing?”

  Shannon’s chin wobbled. “Because he said he never expects to marry.”

  Leah sat back as if she’d been slapped. He was willing to dally with a woman’s affections but not to marry her? Or maybe he preferred a different type of woman than Shannon. Annabelle Smith intruded into her mind again.

  “He knows I have feelings for him, and ’tis odd, but I believe he cares for me, though he claims he’ll never marry.” She stared at Leah with a confused expression on her face. “Why would a man not want to marry a woman he has feelings for? ’tis because I’m Irish?”

  Leah clutched her friend’s hand. “No, I’m sure that has nothing to do with it. In fact, if he does truly have feelings for you, I’m sure it’s partly because of your alluring accent and lovely auburn hair.” She smiled, hoping to alleviate her friend’s pain, but Shannon scowled.

  “Perhaps he doesn’t wish to marry me because he has another woman in his life already. A woman with hair the color of mine.”

  Leah gasped. “You saw him with her?”

  She nodded. “We had just arrived at the hotel when she accosted him. I was on the stairs already, but I saw her.”

  Leah sat back in the seat. “How do you suppose he knows her?”

  “I’ve no idea. But I’ve embarrassed myself and made a huge error. I love a man who cares for another woman.”

  Shuddering, Leah stared at her friend. “How can you be in love with a Corbett? Just look at how they’ve messed with our lives.”