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don t want to have them catch you coming out of this room. And if they
do, it was Peg you were tending to all night. She was on her course and
didn t see anyone last night.
Much as they hated to leave, Belle knew they at least wouldn t have
to retreat to their former facade of being friends, especially if she was
heading off to Dallas with Paul on Monday. People were going to have
to accept they had feelings for each other and were going to work on
them in their own time, not someone else s.
They were halfway down the hall when they ran into their first test.
Aaron Fredericks stepped from one of the rooms. As before, his gaze
shifted between them, then settled on Paul.
 Imagine meeting you in a whorehouse& Reverend.
 The needy reside in all places, Aaron. Good day. He cupped
Belle s elbow and led her down the stairs and out the building.
 I don t like that man.
 He s been through a lot, Belle. He loved Marissa very much.
 And yet he s taken to frequenting whorehouses the second he hits
town.
 Maybe he s just searching for a little forgetfulness in the only
place he knows how. God knows if anything happened to you, I d be
beside myself with grief. I wouldn t know what to do.
Belle stopped in mid-stride, pulling him with her.  Oh, Paul, that s
just about the sweetest thing&  She grabbed his face in his hands and
kissed him.
Paul laughed.  Well, so much for discretion.
 Oh, I doubt the neighbors will tell this time.
He hiked an eyebrow.  I wouldn t be too sure of that.
 I would. She jerked her head toward Mrs. Freebush s house
where Mr. Tucker was sneaking out the side door.
Laughing, Paul caught her hand.  Marriage committee worked
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better than it intended.
That much was true. People were matched all over the place. At
least it had done some good. Belle smiled a lot of good. They ducked
in the back door of the boarding house. Fortunately, no one had risen to
start breakfast.
 Looks like we were lucky. Belle snatched an apron off the peg
near the door and tossed it Paul s way.  But unless we get breakfast
started, I m going to have some very grumpy boarders. You peel some
potatoes while I rouse Pru and Retha.
She found Retha sound asleep between Mason and Bessie. The
children cuddled in the cove of her arms. Belle didn t have the heart to
wake them.
Her next stop was her sisters room. She strode across the room and
yanked open the draperies. Susannah blinked into the morning light.
Charity tucked her head under her pillow. Prudence&
 Where s Pru?
Both girls looked at the bed. Puzzlement wrinkled their brows.
 Cooking breakfast? Susannah asked.
 No. But up you go. We ve got work to do. Thinking Pru sought a
little privacy, Belle checked the parlor. No Pru. Nor was she in Belle s
room or the bathhouse. She cracked open the cellar door where Sid,
Clarence, and Marty slept. Only snores greeted her. It seemed she had
simply disappeared.
 She has to be somewhere, Paul said.
Charity stifled a yawn as she stumbled into the kitchen.  Why don t
you ask Mr. Webster? I expect he s the one who saw her last since I
saw them smooching in the parlor.
 If that lousy& I swear I ll&  Belle took the stairs two at a time.
Paul was close on her heels.  Just calm down. Getting mad isn t
going to help anything.
They strode in tandem down the hallway. When they reached Cal s
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room, Paul whipped open the door. There amid tangled sheets and
limbs lay Cal Webster and her sister.
 Why you dirty, rotten& 
Paul snapped his arm around Belle s waist and pulled her back.
 Get up, get dressed, and get downstairs now.
Paul half dragged Belle to the parlor. In all the years he d known
her, he d never seen her so angry. Not that he could blame her. Cal had
a way with the ladies. He d left a string of broken hearts behind him.
This time he d gone too far. It was all he could do to keep his own
temper in check.
By the time the two came downstairs, Belle s anger had doubled. A
riled tomcat had less spit in him. She let them step across the threshold,
then banged the door shut behind them.
 How dare you take advantage of my sister? Who do you think 
 Why does he have to take the blame? Pru took a stance between
Belle and Cal.  It was just as much my doing.
That shut Belle up, but not for long.  Cal Webster, you are the last
person I d ever want to have as a brother-in-law, but you re going to do
the right thing and marry my sister. I won t have her reputation ruined.
You ll be married by sunset.
He crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at her.  Then I
expect it ll be a double wedding?
Belle stammered for a response. Paul expected Cal s normal smirk.
None came. He was just as mad as Belle.
 We didn t do anything you and Paul haven t done, Pru said.  You
force a marriage on us, we ll do the same to you.
 If you refuse, we ll make sure everyone in town knows the two of
you have been sharing a bed, Cal added.  And I believe the two of you
have much more to lose than Prudence and I do.
Belle shoved her face to within inches of his.  Stay away from my
sister. She pivoted on her heel and stomped from the room.
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Prudence looked ready to cry. Cal cupped her cheek.  Go on. I ll
talk to you later.
Paul waited until Prudence was out of earshot, then faced Cal.
 How could you?
Cal slowly shook his head.  Would it matter if I said I couldn t stay
away from her? Would it matter if I said I love her?
Paul didn t know what to say to that one.
Cal snorted.  Yeah& I didn t think so. He hooked his thumbs in
his pockets and turned toward the door.
 What if she s carrying your child? How can you say you love her
and not do the honorable thing? You re leaving. We know that. It s
going to hurt her enough when you go. Don t add the other shame of
having a child out of wedlock. If you truly love her, do the honorable
thing. For once in your life.
Cal walked on. When Paul checked on him a few minutes later, Cal [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]