Read Online Judith E French by McKennas Bride - Free Book Online Page A

jack, and it had nearly earned him a noose around his neck. He’d not make the same mistake with Caity.
    “Best we wait,” he said. “Don’t think I’m not tempted, but if we sleep in the same bed, you might quicken with child. You see that, don’t you?”
    “No need to apologize.” Her voice was thick with shame. “As you say, it would only complicate things between us.” She raised her stubborn chin and stared him squarely in the eye, and he pretended not to see the tears glistening there.
    “It was a fine greeting, though,” he said lightly. “As fine a one as I’ve ever had.”
    She shook her head. “My mistake. It won’t happen again.”
    “I don’t want to hurt you, girl—”
    “I’m not a girl,” she protested. “If you can’t see that, then there’s no chance for us at all.”
    Her light brown eyes had always made him think ofginger. Ginger eyes and ginger spirit. He’d thought that the first time he’d seen her … a lifetime ago, when they’d both been hardly more than children.
    She had a temper, but she didn’t spit and screech like so many females. Caity’s anger scorched with a blue flame as her whiskey voice deepened and took on the familiar cadence of County Clare.
    “What am I, Shane? Your wife or your guest?”
    “You know the answer.”
    “Very well. If I am your wife, then I expect to have responsibilities. You told me that I was not to meddle in things I know nothing of. Where am I to meddle? Am I to be in charge of the children? The house?”
    He frowned, covering his own awkwardness with disinterest. “Do what you like inside these walls, so long as you don’t interfere with Justice’s chores. You’ll not make a dandy of him.”
    “Fair chance of that.” Her eyes narrowed. “And what of Mary Red Jacket? She plainly dislikes me.” Caity’s hands rested on her hips in a gesture of defiance he remembered all too well.
    “Mary’s rough, but she works hard. She’s alone in the world without kin or home.”
    “Do I look like the sort to throw a poor woman onto the road?” She took a slow breath, and he could see her trembling with anger. “Am I to have the say of the house?” she demanded. “You give your word to uphold my authority?”
    “Within reason.”
    “None of your shilly-shallying, Shane McKenna. If you’ll not set the example and give me the respect due mistress of this house, I’m lost before I start.”
    “Have it your way, woman. But give me peace in my own home. And you must do with what we have. Don’t think I can hand out silver as though it grows on trees.”
    “Fair chance of that, is there? A tightfisted man you’ve become. And you with enough land to keep the town of Crusheen from hard times.”
    “Aye,” he agreed. “I’m a tightfisted man, and a hard one. Keep that in mind, and we’ll get on.” He stalked past her to the head of the stairs. “Good night to you, Madame.”
    “You didn’t tell me who you suspect was shooting at you,” she called after him.
    He ignored her last remark.
    His rifle leaned against the wall at the bottom of the steps. He knew Caity’s little girl hadn’t the strength to cock the hammer or to fire the weapon, but he’d have to drive pegs over the door to hang it high out of her reach. And Derry would have to learn the rules of living on the frontier. There’d never been a young child at Kilronan, and he supposed a lot of habits would need changing to keep the wee colleen from harm.
    Picking up the gun, he inspected it closely, then carried it with him into the kitchen.
    Mary crouched by the hearth, pipe in her mouth, banking the fire for the night. Gabe stood by the table, a mug of coffee cradled between his hands.
    “Where’s Justice?” Shane asked.
    Mary motioned to a pallet in the far corner. The boy, still fully dressed and feigning sleep, lay sprawled among the covers. His eyes were tightly squeezed together.
    “I know you’re awake,” Shane said. “Upstairs, in your own