Tougher Than The Rest by Shirleen Davies

Author:Shirleen Davies [Davies, Shirleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Avalanche Ranch Press LLC
Published: 2013-07-10T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“Niall, you and Beth go on to church without me. Kate’s not well, and she doesn’t look good. She’s not running a fever, but I don’t want to leave her alone.” Alicia usually didn’t worry much over a sick adult, but Niall could see she was concerned about Kate.

He wondered if he he’d hurt her last night. “All right, Aunt Alicia. I had planned to bring Jocelyn to the ranch for dinner. Should I put it off for another time?” Now that he’d made his decision, Niall wanted to move forward.

“No, dinner would be fine. I’m sure Kate will be feeling better by then. We’ll see you all this afternoon. Have a good time, Beth.”

“Do we have to bring that lady over for dinner, Papa?” Beth’s question wasn’t unexpected. She didn’t like Jocelyn. Alicia had once said children were excellent judges of character, but he wasn’t marrying Jocelyn for her character. He was marrying her for her connections and land, pure and simple.

“Yes, Beth, we do if she accepts my invitation. What is it you don’t like about Mrs. van Deelin anyway? Isn’t she always nice to you?”

“Uh-uh,” she shook her head vigorously. “She doesn’t like me, I can tell. She doesn’t treat me like Kate does. Kate is nice and funny and gives me hugs. Why can’t you like Kate instead, Papa? She loves the ranch and I love her. I don’t want Mrs. van Deelin at the ranch.” Beth fell silent, but her words rolled over and over in Niall’s mind.

******

“Oh, what a stunning dinner setting, Mrs. MacLaren. Everything looks just wonderful,” Jocelyn gushed as she walked into the dining room. She’d been eager to accept Niall’s invitation, even while she knew Beth didn’t want her to come. Jocelyn hoped he’d made the decision to ask her to marry and join their influence. She was certain that, together, they’d have the power to move into the highest political circles of Arizona, ultimately occupying the Governor’s seat. She knew everyone thought she aspired to a higher life in the east, but what she craved was being the first lady of the territory, with all the privileges the title included. Such a sweet deal for both of them. And, as soon as they were married, she’d find a way to move Alicia to town and Beth to a boarding school. She had no intention of sharing the same house with the older, meddling woman and Niall’s disruptive daughter. Unless of course, she and her husband were settled in a mansion at the capital.

“Why, thank you, Jocelyn. My late husband, Stuart, gave me the set. We use it for Sunday dinners and special occasions. Well, if you will excuse me, I’d like to check on Kate to see if she’ll join us. Niall, will you let Drew and Will know everything is ready?”

Alicia treaded up the stairs, knowing there was something wrong with Kate, perhaps between Kate and Niall, but she couldn’t imagine what it could be since he paid so little attention to her.

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