Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Author:A.C. Gaughen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: ePub Bud (www.epubbud.com)
Published: 2011-12-30T05:00:00+00:00

S C A R L E T

. 149 .

Rob’s eyebrows went skyward. “You don’t?”

I wrapped my arms around my stomach. “Not sure. ” There were so much more to the thought that I wanted to tell him, but I just swallowed. “I’m not the sort of girl that goes with a lad. ”

Rob smiled. “So what, you’ll swear off men forever?”

“It’s worked so far. ”

Rob looked surprised, but before I could ask why, he said,

“Well, what about babies? You looked awfully thrilled with Mary’s son. ”

“You think I have any right to bring a baby into my life?

I’m a thief and an outlaw and a poor example of a girl. You think I could be any sort of mother?”

He looked away at that, and I felt it again, that ax of hurt in my belly. I didn’t much like saying it out loud, but it were worse that he agreed.

“If you want a man, Scar, for marrying or not, John’s the best you can come by. ”

I know it sounded nice, but to me it were a pretty insult. Like it or not, I would never deserve a man like Rob, and John were the best I could do. I knew it were true, but hearing him say it like that, so careful, made me feel hollowed out like a dying tree. I didn’t want him to see, so I smiled big and gave a little laugh. “That’s not fair true. John’s a charmer. ”

Rob shrugged. “Well, if he charms you, that’s enough, isn’t it?”

I shot him a look and didn’t say nothing.

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212-47765_ch01_1P.indd 149

5/31/11 1:45 PM

5/31/11 1:45 PM

. 150 .

A. C. Gaughen

“As to babies, don’t fool yourself, Scar. ”

Shame fi lled my face and I looked down. I weren’t the sort to fool myself, to be sure.

“You’d be an uncommonly good mother, ” he said. I looked up, blood fi lling up my cheeks ’stead of shame. He looked fast away from me, and I stood, wanting this chat to be over. “Let’s go. ”

When we came to the cave, the lads were around a small fi re under the rock overhang, and they both stood up. I crossed my arms, feeling like I ought to apologize for something, but I weren’t ’bout to. Much laughed with surprise and ran over to hug me, and I gave him a little smile and hugged back. When he let go, John were standing behind him, and he looked at me with a smile. “So, you’re back. ”

I laughed. “Not for you, John Little. ”

He looked like I slapped him.

“Just because you kissed me don’t mean I’m your girl none, ”

I told him.

I heard Much chuckle, and John stepped closer to me.

“Maybe I wasn’t asking you to be my girl. ”

“I’m nobody’s bit of fun either, ” I told him, right serious

’bout that. I went toward the fi re, and John threw up his arms.

“What does that mean, Scar?” he asked me.

“I guess we’ll have to see. ”

Rob and Much both laughed at this, and John glared at them.

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