A Cowboy's Temptation by Michelle Beattie

Author:Michelle Beattie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Published: 2017-02-16T05:00:00+00:00

Katie huddled in the corner of her bunk, her knees tucked close and the broken music box cradled in her hands. Her oil lamp was turned down low, shedding just enough light to keep the darkness from closing in on her.

She’d felt alone many times in her life but tonight, with the darkness all around her, in a new place where she knew nobody and those she did know were angry with her, Katie felt especially isolated. There’d been moments at home and even on the trip west when she’d felt lonely, but it hadn’t been anything like this. In Philadelphia, she knew come morning she’d find a friendly face and on the long journey west, she’d been distracted by the adventure, by hoping all would be fine once she reached Marietta.

But nothing was fine and she didn’t know if there was a way to make it so.

Katie drew the music box closer, wished she could turn the key and have the melody for company. She truly hadn’t meant to tell everyone the way she had. She’d intended to honor Scott’s wishes as she’d seen the merit in telling Wade and Jillian discreetly, in explaining the events leading up to the wedding rather than simply tossing their marriage into the room. If only Scott hadn’t looked so sure she’d betray him, she never would have.

But if she thought the look on his face had been telling before she’d confessed their marriage it was nothing to the bitter anger, the cutting betrayal he’d worn after. Throughout the course of their day together, he’d looked at her with interest, with humor. With desire. Later with determination and at the church, tenderness. But the scathing glare he’d given her in the kitchen had left her hollowed out.

She didn’t want him to hate her.

Not only due to being his wife, either. Perhaps it was because in the hours they’d spent together earlier, they’d gotten to know each other a little and she’d seen in him many of the same qualities she appreciated in Alex. He was as loyal, as hard working. He made her laugh, made her feel important. Scott had taken her at her word when she’d told him about Kurt and his money and had been ready to come to her defense when they’d run into the man at the restaurant.

She couldn’t explain why he’d been ill after they’d coupled or why he hadn’t trusted her in the house to keep her word, and while she certainly wasn’t happy he’d all but blackmailed her into marriage, those facts didn’t negate the kind of man she saw in him.

The kind she wanted—needed—as a friend.

If he was to be her friend, however, she had to make amends. Perhaps he should have trusted her to keep to her word but it didn’t excuse what she’d done.

Katie set the music box onto the shelf next to the books she’d brought along, lifted the lantern off the nail, and scooted off the bed. Scott had left the

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