The Marshal's Unexpected Bride by Christina Rich

Author:Christina Rich
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-08-31T19:14:52+00:00

* * *

Beau hung his hat on the coat tree outside the parlor and shoved his hands into his pockets. When he’d agreed to be marshal, he’d had no responsibilities. Now he had six. Five children, five orphaned children, left to him by his brother, and Penelope, an innocent who had no idea what she’d agreed to when she’d said “I do” before Reverend Scott and Oak Grove’s townsfolk.

He’d laughed off getting shot to ease her worries and concerns. Since the children had arrived, he’d been aware of the danger he faced every time he encountered a rotter, but he didn’t want his wife fretting over the danger, too. Truth was, every time he settled his gun belt on his hips, his day of reckoning for all his sins was closer. And he had a lot to answer for, especially since the death of Mary Ella and then his brother. Making sure the children were raised right, with family and a caring mother, was a start. It’s the reason he’d decided to marry Penelope. He’d seen her care and attentiveness to the children. She may not understand domestic duties, but from all he’d witnessed, she understood the children. More than he did. All he’d needed was Reverend Scott’s prodding to do the right thing.

He ducked through the parlor door. “How are my boys doing?”

Harvey lunged off Judge’s lap and darted for Beau’s legs. He scooped the mutt into his arms and scratched the silky fur between his ears.

“Pa!” Luke raced to Beau. The child hit with a force that nearly knocked him off his feet. The welcoming was a good sensation. It warmed his heart. It also solidified in his mind what Penelope had said about leaving the boys without yet another parent.

“Whoa there, partner.” Beau swung him into his arms. “What have you been up to?”

“We saw a pony and fed the goats. Can we get a goat? I want a goat. Mr. Judge sent a groom after Harvey, and he brought us treats. See?” Luke stuck out his tongue for Beau’s inspection.

Beau crooked his knuckle under Luke’s chin and closed the boy’s mouth. “We have chickens,” Beau said, placing the boy back on his feet.

“Chickens stink.”

“That they do.”

“How’d it go, Marshal?” Judge looked over the rim of the spectacles perched on the end of his nose.

“Not so good. No sign of him this time.” Beau sat on the edge of an upholstered wing chair and took note of the vast differences of Judge’s home compared to his. Differences he’d noticed but barely paid heed to until Penelope entered his life. The small cabin had been suitable two months ago. Before he had a family and a wife. A wife who was used to comforts. He shook his head. What had he been thinking when he’d taken her on? “I suppose it’s too late,” Beau muttered.

Judge concentrated on the chessboard as Mrs. Danner moved and efficiently took the judge’s queen. “See there, boys? That’s how it’s done. Now, how ’bout we check what the gals are up to in the kitchen.

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