Keegan's Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas 2) by Kathleen Ball

A secret smile crossed her face and she took another peek. Some would call her shameless, but she didn’t care. Excitement surged through her. He was all hers.
    He pulled the chair so it faced her and sat in it. He put some salve on his fingers and stroked it onto her palm. She shivered. “Cold?”
    “No, not at all. Thank you for doing this.”
    “What? Putting salve on your hand? Isn’t that what people do for one another? Especially man and wife?”
    “I wouldn’t know.”
    His brow furrowed. “Your husband?”
    She swallowed hard to get rid of the lump in her throat. “Wasn’t a very nice person.”
    “I’m sorry to hear it. You’re here now.”
    “Yes. Thank you for not getting too upset about Peg.”
    He shook his head. “It was thinking you lied. I was never mad about the little one.”
    Her heart thumped as she glanced away. It was only a matter of time until he found out she had lied about a lot of things.
    “So, first things first. Cooking over a fire is different from a stove. You don’t hold on to the skillet. You let the flames go down and wait for the hot embers. See how the skillet has legs? That’s so you can sit it on the embers. Now don’t put it in too far, it’s not safe. Same thing for biscuits. We have what you call a Dutch oven for those.” He stood up. “Cookie will be here this afternoon. He’d be glad to tell you. He’s awfully proud of being the cook over at Cinders’ ranch.”
    Peg walked over and lifted her arms to him and he obliged by bending down and lifting her up into his arms. “Hungry.” She studied him and tried to put her finger in his eye.
    “Fine, I’ll make breakfast. I can’t have you hungry can I, Peg?” She bestowed him with the sweetest smile and his eyes softened. Addy wanted to laugh. He didn’t know it, but Peg had just wrapped Keegan around her little finger.

Chapter Three
     
     
    Addy finished cleaning up from the noon meal. She had made a simple repast of bread and cheese. She found out there was a root cellar under the plank floor. They had more food than she’d expected, including eggs.
    Keegan was busy out by the corral building something. It was probably a bed for Peg so he could have his wedding night. She sighed. It wouldn’t do to get used to the place. She might not be here for long. Lies, he hated lies. Her mind wouldn’t rest. It kept whirling with dire possibilities. Guilt consumed her. Keegan’s honest and straightforward ways had showed her just how wrong her thinking was. For all she knew, William was on his way to Asherville to take his daughter back.
    Her plans, so carefully made, now seemed ill conceived. Stupid in fact, but there was nothing she could do except hope she was never found out. She needed something to tell Keegan on their wedding night. She couldn’t tell him Peg’s father was still alive; he’d return her.
    “Mama!” Peg started jumping up and down.
    “What is it, love?”
    “Puppy.” Peg pointed to the open door.
    “I hear the wagon too. Shall we go and greet our guests?”
    “Love you, Mama!” Peg shot out the door while Addy’s heart squeezed. She glowed at Peg’s words, but the glow faded as she remembered the truth. She needed to believe it would all work out. Straightening her shoulders, she strolled outside.
    Cookie was a recognizable character with his gray beard, whiskers and hearty smile. He waved at them as he drove the team toward them. She kept her hands on Peg’s shoulders to hold her in place and safe from wagon wheels.
    He was quite agile for his age. If they’d been in Boston, he’d be considered to be in his dotage. But not Cookie. He jumped into the back of the wagon, grabbed the dog, and jumped down to the ground.
    “I have a surprise.” He stroked his beard. “Now who was I supposed to give this to? Hmmm.”
    “Me, me!” Peg gave him her best smiles and Cookie appeared immediately smitten. “Of curse darlin’, this puppy is for you.”
    Addy startled as he put the