A Cowboy for Christmas by Bobbi Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

she made it a point to destroy most of the correspondence he sent you, and, though he wasn’t writing as often, I did continue her practice after she passed away.”

Chapter Five
    Penny was absolutely taken aback by the discovery. She stared at her aunt in shock. “But why? Why would Mother do that? She knew how much I loved my father.”
    “That’s precisely why she did it,” Matilda countered a bit harshly. “She didn’t want you to go back to the ranch. She wanted to keep you in the city with her, where she knew you would be safe.”
    Penny couldn’t help it. She sank down on the sofa and said nothing for a long moment as she thought about what her mother and her aunt had done. She wanted to cry, but she knew it was pointless. Raw, painful emotions churned within her, and she decided to draw upon those very emotions for the strength she needed to get through this hard time. Finally, she lifted her head to look at her aunt. “I’ll be leaving for Texas with Mr. Roland as soon as he can make the arrangements.”
    “But, Penny—” Matilda wanted to convince her not to go.
    The Anderson side of Penny came back to life within her as she stood up to face her aunt. “I’mgoing, Aunt Matilda. I will need your help to find an appropriate chaperone for the trip,” she said, for she knew her aunt would never consider leaving the city to travel with her.
    “It’ll take us two to three weeks to get back, depending on connections,” Dan noted. “I checked the schedule when I arrived in town earlier today, and there is a train leaving late tomorrow afternoon.”
    “If we can arrange for my chaperone in time, we’ll be on that train, Mr. Roland. Where are you staying?” she asked.
    “I have a room at the Planter’s House Hotel.”
    “Fine. I’ll send word to you in the morning to let you know how arrangements are progressing. I plan to do everything I can to make sure we leave tomorrow.”
    “I’ll wait until I get your message to purchase the tickets.” He was relieved she had agreed to come along without a fight, but he also knew she had been hurt by the deception she’d discovered in her life.
    “Thank you, Mr. Roland,” Penny said.
    “I’ll be waiting to hear from you in the morning, Miss Anderson.” He tipped his hat to them. “Good night, ladies.”
    Dan left them alone in the parlor to let himself out. He wasn’t surprised to find the doorman standing by the front door, but he was surprised when he opened the door for him.
    “Good night, sir,” the servant said.
    “Good night.” Dan walked outside to see the driver and carriage still waiting for him.
    “Did you get your business all taken care of?” the driver asked.
    “Yes. We can go back to the hotel now.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Dan was quiet as they started back to the Planter’s House. Things had worked out so far, but they still had a long way to go. He had to get Penny safely back to the ranch to Jack. He couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for the girl. With the way her mother and her aunt had deceived her, she’d never had any idea just how much her father loved her and had been missing her. Dan was glad that she would get the chance to be with him again. Not everybody had that opportunity.
    Back inside in the parlor, Matilda faced her niece. “Penny, I—”
    “No, don’t say anything more,” Penny said, starting to leave the room, her father’s letter still in hand. “I’ll be ready to leave as soon as I find Amanda and tell her good-bye.”
    Matilda was ashamed by all that had transpired, and she relented. “I’ll have our carriage brought around.”
    Penny made her way back to the ballroom and stood in the main doorway looking for her friend. Amanda happened to see her first and camehurrying across the room to find out what was going on.
    “You’re back!” Amanda said, glad to see her, but worried because her friend looked so serious.
    “Not for long,” Penny told her. She led them to a quiet corner so they