Fitzpatrick: Cowboy Reluctant: Christian Historical Western (The Kavanagh Brothers Book 7)
Page 11
“You—what?” Why would he do something like that? And how…? She forced her racing mind to slow down so she could have a civil conversation with him. “I’ll pay you back every cent.” She would just have to figure out how. “I-I can’t even pretend to know what is going on.” She sank down on one of the leather chairs. “I had the land and everything all paid for. It took a lot of going without, but I didn’t mind. I didn’t want anyone to think they could take it after the war. But then… Well, my husband…” She wrung her hands. “I’ll pay you the first of the month.” She stood and turned toward the door.
“Wait! How do you expect to pay me?”
“Well… I must have some cattle… somewhere.”
He gave a curt nod. “You do, currently grazing on my land. How do expect to round them up? You don’t have a horse, do you?”
“Just how many cattle are we talking about? I figured I had a few hiding in a canyon or something.”
He was going to tell her to get off the property. Saying that she had no business running a ranch.
“I’m sorry your first husband didn’t work out,” Teagan said gently. “But you need help. I’ll figure out which of my brothers will marry you.”
The breath left her lungs in a whoosh. “You will what? Listen Mr. Kavanagh, you may be able to tell people on this ranch what to do, but I’m not one of them.” She gave him a hard, angry stare. Arrange for her to marry one of his brothers? How absurd!
“Where do you plan to go?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Yes, it is. All right, I lied. I paid it off, and I hold the note on the property. The only way I’m getting paid back is if you have a husband to rebuild the ranch.”
“You take too much upon yourself. I will never marry again.”
“Is there one brother over another you’d prefer?” He sat back and crossed his arms.
Her heart jumped. The fight went out of her momentarily as she stared into his eyes. Yes, there was, but he’d never believe her. “I won’t subject any of your brothers to a loveless marriage.”
“Is that what you had, a loveless marriage?” His voice turned taunting.
“Yes, if you must know. I settled and I knew it, but I didn’t know just how hard it could be. The man I really loved was always on my mind, and Richard was well aware who that was. He threw it in my face every chance he got. He spent more time at Bobbie’s Saloon than he did at home, and he wasn’t always gambling. People whispered about it every time I was in town.” She heaved a sigh. “But that was my burden to bear. I refuse to marry again. I had my heart torn out once, and I won’t do it again.” She opened the door and walked out of the office.
Just who did he think he was? “You don’t have a horse, do you?” he’d said, as if that would solve all her problems. Well, she had two good feet; she’d drag her cattle back. A soft snarl curled her lip as she thought about her cattle on Kavanagh land. That no-good banker had led her to believe they’d been rustled. She knew the Kavanaghs weren’t thieves. She walked and walked, aware that her shoes were rubbing her feet raw, limping more with each painful step.
The door to the house was off its hinges and on the ground. Had someone been there? Did she dare check inside? She grabbed the axe off the chopping stump and walked to the door then cautiously pushed it open. No one was there. In fact, nothing was there; all her things had been taken, furniture and all. What was going on? She’d had to be strong for so long… And now she not only didn’t have a horse, she had nothing. Great gasping sobs tore through her body.
She sat on the porch and cried.
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About the Author
Sexy Cowboys and the Women Who Love Them...
Finalist in the 2012 and 2015 RONE Awards.
Top Pick, Five Star Series from the Romance Review.
Kathleen Ball writes contemporary and historical western romance with great emotion and
memorable characters. Her books are award winners and have appeared on best sellers lists including: Amazon's Best Seller's List, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, Desert Breeze Publishing and Secret Cravings Publishing Best Sellers list. She is the recipient of eight Editor's Choice Awards, and The Readers' Choice Award for Ryelee's Cowboy.
Winner of the Lear diamond award Best Historical Novel- Cinders' Bride
There's something about a cowboy
Other Books by Kathleen
Lasso Spring Series
Callie’s Heart
Lone Star Joy
Stetson’s Storm
Dawson Ranch Series
Texas Haven
Ryelee’s Cowboy
Cowboy Season Series
Summer’s Desire
Autumn’s Hope
Winter’s Embrace
Spring’s Delight
Mail Order Brides of Texas
Cinder’s Bride
Keegan’s Bride
Shane’s Bride
Tramp’s Bride
Poor Boy’s Christmas
Oregon Trail Dreamin’
We’ve Only Just Begun
A Lifetime to Share
A Love Worth Searching For
So Many Roads to Choose
The Settlers
Greg
Juan
Scarlett
Mail Order Brides of Spring Water
Tattered Hearts
Shattered Trust
Glory’s Groom
Battered Soul
Romance on the Oregon Trail
Cora’s Courage
Luella’s Longing
Dawn’s Destiny
Terra’s Trial
Candle Glow and Mistletoe
The Kabvanagh Brothers
Teagan: Cowboy Strong
Quinn: Cowboy Risk
Brogan: Cowboy Pride
Sullivan: Cowboy Protector
Donnell: Cowboy Scrutiny
Murphy: Cowboy Deceived
Fitzpatrick: Cowboy Reluctant
Angus: Cowboy Bewildered
The Greatest Gift
Love So Deep
Luke’s Fate
Whispered Love
Love Before Midnight
I’m Forever Yours
Finn’s Fortune
Glory’s Groom