Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) by Janelle Daniels

his anger. “I’m sorry, Wallace. It was a hell of a trip. Did you need something?”
    The aging estate manager bobbed his head, using a handkerchief to blot droplets of sweat from his brow. “Most of it can wait if you’d prefer, but there’s one thing you must be made aware of.”
    “Come in.” Warren walked around his desk toward his chair. “Would you like something to drink?” he offered, still holding his own glass.
    Wallace eyed the jostled decanters. “No, thank you, sir.”
    Warren settled at his polished desk, but Wallace rooted to the floor opposite him, not taking a seat. Had he truly upset the man? “I’m sorry again for my tone, Wallace.”
    “It’s no trouble, sir.”
    “All right. Why don’t you tell me the bit of news that can’t wait? We’ll put off the noncritical reports until later.”
    The graying gentleman nodded, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the movement. “I’m not sure how to put this.”
    “Directly is best.” Wallace looked pale. Perhaps Warren would need another drink.
    “Mr. Banner was in a fatal accident yesterday in the field.”
    Warren blinked several times as thoughts flooded his brain. His foreman died. In an accident. In the fields.
    Kitty’s Mr. Banner.
    Warren shot from his chair. “He’s dead?”
    More emphatic nodding. “Yes. There wasn’t anything we could do. His injuries were too severe.”
    “What happened to him?”
    “Machete mishap. Severed a main artery in his leg. He bled out quickly.”
    Poor soul. There were worse ways to die, but he’d been so young. Too young. His whole life had been ahead of him. He’d had a fiancée…
    Warren had to get to Kitty. She’d have heard by now. She was alone, with no prospects and no direction. She had to be afraid.
    And while they’d left things rocky between them, he wouldn’t make her suffer. No woman should have to face homelessness and hunger because she’d rejected him. He would help her with whatever she needed. He cared about her too much not to. His pride be damned.
    “Thank you for telling me, Wallace.” He didn’t bother donning his coat or tie before leaving the room.
    All that mattered was her.
----
    “ M iss Jones , are you all right?”
    Mr. Pratt stepped closer to her when the blood rushed from her head, no doubt worried she’d disgrace herself and faint.
    Kalea pushed past him, taking control. “Sit down. You’ve had a shock. Rest here, and I’ll get you something cool to drink.”
    Kitty nodded but didn’t care about eating or drinking anything. She needed to get to Warren, to straighten things out before dark. “Mr. Pratt, would you mind bringing me to the main house on your way out?”
    “Of course not, miss. I’m happy to help in any way.”
    Her smile wobbled. “Thank you. It’s urgent that I speak with Mr. Castle.”
    “Of course.” He fitted the cap back on his head. “I’ll tell Kalea to skip the drink.”
    “Thank you.”
    Kitty rose from the couch as he left, straightening her appearance. She’d put on her best gown to meet her fiancé—the green silk. But she hated the dress now. It would forever remind of today. And the day she’d met Warren.
    A tear escaped. She sniffed hard against the emotional reaction, telling herself it was dust tickling her nose.
    Why was life so hard? She hadn’t loved Mr. Banner; perhaps that’s what made this even worse. Part of her was relieved, even as another part of her regretted not having his protection.
    “Kitty.”
    Her breath hitched, hearing her name whispered from the doorway. She knew that voice.
    “Warren?” Her lip trembled. “Mr. Banner…”
    He stepped into the house slowly, as if moving too fast would spook her. “I know.”
    Why did his gentleness make her heart hurt more? Why did seeing him here, now, at such a time, make her feel like her trials were over? That she could break down, release all her pent-up worry?
    She sniffed again, reining her control into a tight ball. No man wanted to be around a