Fletcher's Pride by Shirleen Davies

Author:Shirleen Davies
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Avalanche Ranch Press LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Circle M

Fletcher braced his head with his hands, rubbing to relieve the throbbing ache. He’d made it home from Buckie’s well after midnight, going through one bottle of whiskey, starting another before Camden ripped it from his hand. Remembering a brief scuffle before one of his cousins lifted him over their shoulder and carried him to Domino, Fletcher groaned.

“Serves you right, lad.”

His eyes opened to slits at the unmistakable sound of his mother’s voice. Grimacing, he closed them again, squeezing.

“Ach, you deserve a little pain for the way you came home last night. I was telling your da it must be a lassie.”

Fletcher’s head hurt too much to let himself be drawn into discussing a pregnant Maddy. The thought of her rekindled his need for another drink. He’d never felt this way about any woman and didn’t understand why hot desire gripped him now. She was a saloon girl, someone he shouldn’t trust or believe anything she said. Yet he did. The realization had been what drove Fletcher to drink enough whiskey to kill most men. Today he dealt with the lapse in judgment, producing the intense pain in his head.

“Clean up and join us downstairs for supper, lad. I’ll be taking no excuses for you not being at the table. You’ve ten minutes.”

He winced at the sound of the door slamming shut.

Fletcher heard little of what she said other than the word supper. He’d missed an entire day, forcing his cousins to take on his chores again. The knowledge sickened him. They’d been covering for him since before he’d left for Settlers Valley, and even now, after his return.

His cousins knew the consequences created by his nights with Maddy, the child she carried within her—a baby Fletcher knew in his heart belonged to him. Convincing his mind proved to be more difficult. He still had unanswered questions and believed, deep down, she still had secrets.

Everything inside Fletcher shouted for him to be cautious, a bitter chuckle bubbling inside him. He might not have a choice to be wary or not. Maddy already wanted nothing to do with him, refusing his offer of marriage.

Carefully sitting up, he swung his feet to the floor, standing. Slipping into last night’s clothes, Fletcher took the stairs to the dining room, groaning at the sight of Camden and Bram sitting at the table with his da, ma, and younger siblings. Having to sit through their knowing looks, subtle jabs, almost caused him to head back up the stairs. If his father hadn’t spotted him, he might’ve done it.

“Take a seat, Fletch, and we’ll be starting our supper.” Ewan’s steely gaze swept over him, taking in the red eyes, sallow skin, and miserable expression. “Quite a night, lad?”

“Ewan,” Lorna admonished, nodding at Kenzie and the twins, Clint and Banner. Fletcher’s younger siblings hung on every word their older brother and parents said. They didn’t need to hear explanations over the supper table.

Sliding a knowing grin at his wife, Ewan picked up the roast, taking a large piece before handing it to Fletcher.

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