Read Online Texas Twilight by Caroline Fyffe - Free Book Online Page A

the right decisions. And the right decision now is to lease 33
Spring Street to Arlin Ames because he’s paying me twice what Mr.
Bartlett leased it for to you.
    Lily stood. She knew his decision was made
and she’d not change it. “Very well. I expect to be refunded all
the money my aunt sent to Mr. Bartlett. Every last dime.”
    “You make the mistake of thinking Mr.
Bartlett gave that money to me. He did not. I’m certainly not going
to give you money I never received. Now, I’m a busy man, Miss
Anthony. If that is all.” He stood, signaling for her to leave.
    “That is not all. I will take this up with
the mayor. I am sure he will not side with you treating the
citizens of Rio Wells this way.”
    “Oh, you mean my brother-in-law, Fred
Billingsworth?”
    He was so smug standing there. His pinched
face and wide set eyes reminded her of the dreadful bug in the
lobby. Turning, she flounced out of his office and then out of the
bank. She stopped when the door closed behind her. She breathed
deeply, trying to calm down. Now what? She couldn’t tell her aunt
what had transpired. It would not only break her heart but might
even make her sick, or worse. She needed to get Mr. Heartless
Banker to change his mind. Or else, find another building and come
up with the money to rent it. Both ideas, she knew, were about as
farfetched as a trip to the moon.

Chapter Ten
     
    Y Knot, Montana
     
     
    C harity
McCutcheon bounded down the massive staircase of the ranch house
when she heard the door downstairs open and close. Her waist length
hair flowed around her arms and shoulders freely as she’d been
brushing it out after a washing. Dressed in a serge blouse, tucked
neatly into her riding pants, she looked much younger than her
eighteen years. She’d been waiting impatiently for her brothers to
return from Y Knot all morning and was anxiously anticipating a
letter from John. It had been a long time since his last post and
she was more than worried, a sentiment no one else in the family
seemed to share with her.
    She hurried over to her brother Luke.
“Anything for me from the post office?”
    Luke placed his hat on a peg and shrugged out
of his jacket. Even in spring the elevation of the ranch made the
Montana air quite chilly this time of the day. “Hold on, Charity. I
haven’t even looked through it yet. Can’t a man get a cup of coffee
first?” She ignored his knowing smile. He softened his tone, “I’m
sure there’s something for you today.”
    She reached for the saddlebag he held in his
hands but he hoisted it over his head out of her reach. “Ah-ah-ah,”
he said, with a no-you-don’t tone in his voice. “Where’s Faith? I
thought she was here with you today?”
    Charity fought to be patient, crossing her
arms over her chest and tapping her toe. The virtue was something
she was supposed to be working on. “She was until Rachel and Amy
decided to make cookies. They’re over at Amy’s with all the little
ones.”
    Esperanza, the cook and housekeeper, came
into the room carrying a tray filled with cups. There was also a
dark brown confection and a stack of folded napkins. The heavy
front door opened again and Mark, Matt and Roady entered the
room.
    “Hey, Char, how’re you?”
    “Fine, Roady,” she answered. Roady was more
than a hired hand. He’d been with the McCutcheon ranch for years
and was Luke’s best friend. He smiled at Esperanza and tipped his
hat, making her smooth, dark complexion take on a rosy hue. The
newcomers discarded their outer coats and hats and took a seat by
the fire.
    Luke settled into the sofa and slurped his
coffee with gusto. “Nice and hot. Thank you, Esperanza. Charity,
how was Holly today?”
    “Crying all morning. Faith has to carry her
all the time. The second she sets her down Holly starts in. God
forbid I ever have a colicky baby. I don’t know how she does
it.”
    “Holly?” Matt asked.
    “No, Faith,” Charity corrected. She settled
next to Luke with a wistful