A Love to Cherish by Mason Connie

Author:Mason, Connie [Mason, Connie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 0505524945
Publisher: Ten Talents Press
Published: 2011-10-07T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“You’re what?” Naomi shouted when Casey revealed his plans to her.

“Belle and I are going to be married. I’ve already spoken to the sheriff and he expressed the same sentiments you just did. But since there is no specific law forbidding it, he’s going to allow the ceremony. I located a minister willing to perform a wedding inside the jailhouse, and the ceremony will be held tomorrow morning.”

“My God, you sure are full of surprises. Why? How can marrying Belle now possibly help her? What did you do, twist her arm? I can’t imagine Belle agreeing to such an outrageous arrangement.” She eyed him narrowly. “As long as Belle is in jail you know the marriage can be nothing but an arrangement.”

“I know, and it’s not as outrageous as you think if you consider it in terms of how it will help Tommy. He’ll have a stepfather, a guardian who can take care of him. Belle’s lawyer is already preparing a request for guardianship. In time I’ll adopt Tommy legally. Belle was against it at first but I convinced her that it was for Tommy’s good.”

Naomi stared at Casey, her mouth agape, her eyes wide. “You’re serious, aren’t you? You must care for Belle a great deal to give up your freedom for her. It might not work, you know.”

“It will work,” Casey said vehemently. “It has to. And I fully intend to find McAllister’s killer. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t care for Belle.”

“I’m just beginning to realize how much,” Naomi muttered.

“I wish you could convince Belle of that. I’m just grateful she realizes Tommy will be safe with me. I’ll need Wan Yo’s help to care for the boy while I’m working on Belle’s case, if that’s all right with you.”

“I’ll cooperate in any way I can if it means obtaining Belle’s freedom. Wan Yo, too. If the wedding is tomorrow there isn’t much time. I’ll find something nice for Belle to wear and bring it early so she’ll be presentable for her wedding. How were her spirits when you left her?”

“I’d like to say I helped but I’m not sure. Her eyes weren’t quite as lifeless as they were when I arrived, but she was far from her old self.”

“That’s a start, though.”

“I’ve got work to do,” Casey said as he turned to leave. “Meet me at the jailhouse at ten o’clock tomorrow morning.”

Belle couldn’t believe she’d agreed to Casey’s bird-brained scheme. What did he hope to gain by marrying her while she remained behind bars? He’d explained that their marriage was for Tommy’s sake and she had to believe it was so, not because he was eager to get his hands on Tommy’s inheritance. Dare she believe him? Belle wondered despondently. She had to in order to remain sane throughout this ordeal. She was going to prison for a very long time, she knew that. There was no suspect save her. Casey was deluding himself if he thought he could find the real killer.

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