Heat of a Savage Moon by Jane Bonander

Author:Jane Bonander
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION/Romance/Western
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2013-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

Rachel stepped into the office the next morning and glanced at the envelope that was lying on the desk. It had her name on it. She crossed the room, picked it up and peeked inside. Smiling, she saw the money and the little note from Jason.

As she counted it, she tried to decide how to divvy it up. Three ways was probably best. Thirds for Mr. Justice, Mr. Bailey, and somehow she’d have to force Ivy to take a third. She felt guilty living off the woman’s good graces.

Slipping the envelope into her purse, she decided now was as good a time as any to start repaying her loans. She left the office and strolled down the street, pausing briefly in front of the dress shop to look at the black silk full-length cape that hung on the mannequin in the window. It was so beautiful. The hood was edged with velvet, and the lining of the cape was velvet, too.

With a heavy sigh, she continued to walk toward the saloon. She didn’t need a new cape. Hers was wool, warm and sturdy. Very practical. She made a little face. Everything she owned was practical—except her wedding dress, and what good was that? Every time she looked at it, she was filled with sad, bitter memories, but she was too sensible to get rid of it.

She stepped into the saloon and her stomach dropped further. Harvey, the muscle-bound bartender, gave her a lusty look from behind the bar.

“You here to see me, honey?”

Blushing, she realized she didn’t even know how to respond to such banter. “Ah, no. I… I wanted to… to see Mr. Justice.”

“Ah, hell. He’s just an old man.” Harvey gave her a suggestive grin. “I, on the other hand, ain’t old at all.”

Rachel was ready to turn around and leave, when Tess ran down the stairs, stopping on the landing. “Harv! Get your ass up here!”

He gave Rachel a lecherous smile. “Another time, sweetheart.” He tossed his towel on the counter and followed Tess upstairs.

Rachel shuddered. As she approached the office door, she heard loud voices. She didn’t want to interrupt a confrontation. She could pay Mr. Justice another time. Turning to leave, she heard one of the voices say Jeremy’s name. Praying she’d be forgiven for eavesdropping, she quietly stepped closer and listened.

“I didn’t raise you to be a tramp. Your mama would turn over in her grave if she knew what’s happened to you.”

Rachel listened to the self-righteous sound of Bram Justice’s Southern drawl.

“Oh, Papa, how could you? I can’t forgive you for that. And I won’t let you take this away from me. I’m not ashamed. I’m proud to be carrying his child. Proud. And if I thought for a minute that you—”

“He was a married man, girl!” he interrupted. “Have you no sense of pride?”

“But he loved me. He truly did. He didn’t love her. Papa, he told me he never even slept with her.”

Rachel became nauseous. Sinking into a chair near the wall, she put her hand over her mouth, not even wanting to hear any more.

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