The Wrangler's Ready-Made Family by Lacy Williams

Author:Lacy Williams [Williams, Lacy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lacy Williams Books LLC

11

Susie walked up the narrow aisle of the train compartment, holding Albert against her shoulder and patting his back in a pattern.

She’d hoped walking might soothe him, but he continued to scream in her ear.

Her son had been inconsolable during the train journey toward Bear Creek. She didn't know whether it was the constant noise, the clickety-clack of the steel wheels against the rails. Or maybe the overpowering scent of coal. It could even be the motion of the train barreling forward that upset her son.

It certainly made her feel nauseated. Every turn of the wheels was a reminder. Going home, going home, going home.

Why had she let Gil talk her into this?

She could still hear Roy's voice in her head. Do you think they'll take you back if you leave me? You’re ruined and you can bet your family never wants to see you again.

She’d told him about the argument with her mother and the subsequent fight with Cecilia. She’d been shocked by his callous reception when she’d found him in a seedy hotel in Sheridan. She’d had awful bouts of morning sickness with Carrie, and when Roy hadn’t seemed happy to see her, she’d felt as if she would throw up all over again.

Even though she’d had nowhere to go, she’d turned and stormed away.

He’d chased her. Convinced her they’d be married, though he’d been in no hurry.

It was only later that he’d used her words against her, reminding her of the break between her and her family. That they would never approve of her choices.

That they must’ve stopped loving her by then.

What was she doing on this train? Why had she listened to Gil?

She reached the end of the car and turned around, her skirt snagging on one of the seats. She jiggled it loose and winced at Albert’s scream right in her ear.

She had done everything she could think to do. Fed him. Burped him. Changed his diaper. Rocked him.

None of it had worked. It had been nonstop crying for two hours.

Thank God this train car was nearly empty. There was a man in a wrinkled suit apparently sleeping through Albert’s cries. Another woman and her teenage daughter had moved train cars after the first half hour that Susie had been unable to calm her son.

Gil and Carrie were seated at the other end of the car, though she couldn’t see Carrie’s head above the train seats. Whenever her husband looked up, his eyes unerringly found Susie. The intent way that he looked at her made her blush. He was a puzzle she couldn't seem to figure out. He looked at her as if… as if she were the most beautiful woman on the planet.

She couldn't understand it. She knew what she looked like with her post-baby body and wrinkles around her eyes from not sleeping through the night.

But Gil didn’t seem to register any of the faults in her appearance. He liked her just fine.

It unnerved her.

He’d laid out their convenient marriage as a way to protect her, to help her.

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