Keegan's Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas 2) by Kathleen Ball Page B

at the picture. It fluttered from her fingers and sailed to the floor.
    Quickly she picked it up and read it. He was wanted for the murder in Kansas. Her thoughts began to whirl. It had to be a mistake, this was not Keegan. The picture just looked like Keegan. Many people looked alike. Shaking her head she promptly disagreed with herself. Brothers and sisters looked alike, not most people. She watched Shane out of the corner of her eye, and when he got up to refill his coffee, she quickly folded the poster and tucked it down the front of her dress.
    Keegan believed in honesty. If he had the law after him, he would have told her. Granted they’d only spent a couple of days together but he wouldn’t have given her such a condemning look when her truth came out if his life was a lie. She continued to shuffle the posters, pretending to read them but all she could think about was Keegan. Had there been any clue she missed? It was very possible this wasn’t him. The man’s name on the poster was Keith Summers.
    It was so easy to change your name. She had done it throughout her journey west. He was a drifter before he settled in Asherville. Lots of cowboys drifted, didn’t they? It couldn’t be him, and it was disloyal of her to think it could be. It was a big mistake. Chilled, she sat back against the wall and made a mental list of all of Keegan’s good qualities. There were so many. She suddenly felt foolish for thinking he could ever be a wanted man.
    Despite counting his good points, she still came back to the wanted poster. It haunted her all night.
     
    ****
     
    The next morning, Addy waited for Keegan and Peg. As the hours passed, she grew despondent. Had they forgotten her? Keegan probably couldn’t stand the sight of her.
    “Where’s Peg?” Edith asked as she set the tray laden with food on the desk.
    “If you don’t know, then no one knows,” Addy snapped.
    Edith put her hands on her hips. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Her eyes narrowed.
    “I’m sorry, Edith. I just can’t stand to be in here any longer. I have no idea where Peg is.”
    “Aw, honey, I’m sure Keegan will bring her in. He probably has a heap of work to do. Cookie is due in town in a bit. I’ll see if he knows anything.”
    “Thanks, Edith, and I’m sorry I lashed out at you.”
    “Don’t give it another thought. I’ll see you later.”
    All out of sorts, she sat down staring at the food she couldn’t get to. Where was Shane? He was making the rounds and he usually was back before Edith showed up. She reached in her dress and grabbed the poster she’d put in there and opened it. Clear as day there were Keegan’s eyes. Her heart twisted as she quickly folded it back up and hid it in her dress.
    When the door opened, she expected Shane, but it was Cookie instead. He glanced from the food to her and back at the food again. “Hungry?”
    “Yes, thanks.”
    Cookie loaded up a plate for her and poured her a glass of water. He brought them to the cell and made a face when after passing her the water , he couldn’t fit the food between the bars. He pulled the sheriff’s chair over and placed the plate on it. “Best I can do.”
    “I would have never thought of it. Thank you, Cookie. Is there any word—”
    “On Peg? All I know is one of the hands dropped Ilene off at his place to watch Peg.”
    “This morning?”
    “Nope, last night. I imagine he’ll bring her in soon. Ilene will have to stay behind, I guess. I’d best get back. Edith and I hardly get any time together as it is.”
    “Thanks, Cookie.” Addy waved as he left. Her blood ran cold. He was replacing her already. He had said they needed to talk. He wanted his freedom. The food was suddenly unappetizing, and she wasn’t hungry. She’d known her harebrained scheme could turn out this way. It didn’t seem fair to give her so much hope only to have it all taken away.
    A woman’s reformatory. She shivered. They were known for disease and death and harsh