Her Bodyguard by Geralyn Dawson Page A

going to be so happy. I’ll have a wonderful husband and wonderful children and a wonderful home and a wonderful life and you can just eat your words like that precious chocolate you sell.”
    Beyond the roaring in her ears, Mari detected the sound of a door opening, and she glanced over to see Luke Garrett and Rory Kelly standing in the doorway. In the thrall of her tirade, Kat remained oblivious to the fact they were no longer alone.
    “You’re ashamed of me?” she continued. “Well, I’m ashamed of you. You are a self-righteous, bitter old spinster, and you and your cold lonely heart deserve a cold lonely bed. Alexander Simpson did himself a favor by leaving you at the altar!”
    The fact that her sister had said those ugly things was bad enough, but knowing the two men witnessed it made Mari’s humiliation complete. She wanted to slink away and cry. Instead, she lifted her chin, squared her shoulders and said, “That’s it, Kat. I’m done trying to protect you. If this is what you want…well…best of luck to you.”
    “Luck?” Kat snapped as Mari turned to walk away. “What do you mean by that? You’re talking about the curse, aren’t you?”
    Attempting to depart with dignity, Mari nodded toward the men, doing her best to ignore the sympathetic look in the outlaw’s eyes as Kat called, “Well, let me tell you this, Mari McBride. Rory and I will beat the bad luck. Our love is strong and true, just like Roslin said it needed to be. You just watch and see, Mari. You watch and see.”
    Mari knew she should keep her mouth shut and make her exit, but humiliation and hurt loosened her tongue. At the stage curtain, she paused and glanced back over her shoulder. “No, Kat. Your love is nothing more than lust that will burn itself out in a flash. I’m the intuitive one, remember. That’s what I see of your precious love . Dead, cold ashes.”

 
     
    CHAPTER THREE
     
     
    “YOU BASTARD,” LUKE MUTTERED to Rory when Mari McBride’s proud, sad eyes shifted away and she hurried for the exit. “You must get a big charge out of causing women pain.”
    “You’re the one making me do this,” Rory murmured back.
    “Damn straight. You have responsibilities, and by God, I’m going to see that you live up to them.”
    The moment Mari McBride disappeared from sight, Kat McBride burst into tears, ran toward Rory and threw herself into his arms. Rory held the young woman tight, offering comfort. He stared over at Luke, his expression wordlessly asking What else can I do?
    Luke’s fingers itched to form a fist and pop him in the face.
    Kat sobbed against Rory’s shirt. “She hates me. My sister hates me. She said she’s ashamed of me.”
    “Shh, now, love.”
    Luke glared at Rory.
    “This is awful. It’s the worst thing. I wonder if she’ll tell. I don’t want her to tell. Papa will…oh, Rory. I said terrible things to her. I didn’t mean it. Truly I didn’t. I love Mari. She’s my sister . But she doesn’t understand. I love you, too.”
    Luke no longer wanted to punch Rory in the face, he wanted to pull his gun and shoot him. That poor girl. She didn’t deserve Rory’s kind of grief. Still, a sharp, clean cut healed the fastest.
    “The train leaves in half an hour,” he said to Rory. “Get it done.”
    Rory nodded and, shifting his hands on Kat’s shoulders, tenderly pushed her away. She lifted an anguished face toward him. He sighed and thumbed a tear off her cheek. “You are so beautiful.”
    “I love my family, Rory, but I want to be with you.”
    “I want to be with you, too.”
    “For God’s sake, Rory,” Luke said.
    The actor scowled at Luke, then led Kat to a chair placed near the chaise. “Please have a seat,” he asked gently. “There’s a few things I need to say.”
    Luke checked his pocket watch. Impatient as he was to be off, he recognized that Rory needed to let the girl down as gently as possible. Luke would give him five minutes but no more.
    Ever one to appreciate