Angel and the Texan From County Cork (The Brides of Texas Code Series Book 3) by Carra Copelin Read Free Book Online

tree?”
    “It’s Christmas Eve.” He stepped back onto the porch and brought in a familiar box. Handing it to her, he smiled. “I thought ye'd like to decorate.”
    “I haven't—I mean, I don't—it's just that—”
    He’d stunned her with the tree and his offer to celebrate Christmas. Silently, she set the box onto the table. Truth be known, this was her favorite time of year but, due to the circumstances, she hadn’t celebrated in a couple of years. Her last Christmas had been shared with Cissie and her family. She lifted the top of the box to reveal a few of the items she’d managed to pack from her previous life.
    Picking up a small silver ornament in the shape of a pinecone, she thought back to the last time she'd seen it. Her fingers traced the delicate contours of the design.
    In a voice barely above a whisper, she said, “These ornaments belonged to my mother and grandmother. They brought them on the ship from the old country. This little pinecone was Mama's first one. I didn't know they survived the trip across the Red River. Where did you find them?”
    “They were in a trunk out in the barn behind hay bales and farm equipment. Ye didn't know they were there?”
    “No. I'm sure Will mentioned he put the trunk there. But it's been over a year, so I guess I just forgot.”
    She looked at a couple of other treasures, replaced them and pushed the box away from the edge of the table. Here was yet another example of her gullibility and naivety. She trusted too easily.
    “Did you happen to notice what else was in the trunk?” She hated to ask, afraid to hear what he’d say, but needed to know.
    “Bedroom and kitchen linens, ladies things and these.”
    “Is there any jewelry or silver service?”
    “I didn’t go diggin’ too deep, though now that I think on it, the contents were none too organized.” He took a seat across from her. “What aren’t ye tellin’ me, Angel?”
    Fingers interlaced, she tightened her grip and looked toward the window. She was back to the trust issue and she had a decision to make. What she was thinking could destroy a man’s memory.
    Meeting Jamey’s intense gaze, she said, “Will didn’t tell me he brought the trunk here. I thought it was still stored at the hotel. In the beginning, he told me either he forgot to pick it up or the wagon was full and he’d get my belongings the next trip into town. He would get so agitated, I finally stopped asking.”
    “What happened?”
    “Helmut and I came with a wagon train from Ohio to Texas to join Helmut’s family in Boerne. It had rained heavily for a few days and the river was over its banks. Even though we waited for the level to go down, the current was too strong and our wagon overturned. While trying to save us, Helmut had a heart attack and died.
    The wagon master told me he’d store my belongings at the hotel once we made it to Denison.”
    “Helmut was your . . .”
    “He was my first husband.”
    “I see.” He rested his hand on top hers.
    “I had very little money and could only afford to stay at the hotel a few days. I found a job at the café where I met Calliope Thorne. She gave me a place to stay.”
    “That’s when you met Will.”
    “Yes, after a time.” Uncomfortable with the touching, she pulled her hands from his. She also decided she’d shared all the dirty laundry she cared to for today.
    She needed time to figure out what Will's motives were for lying to her apparently about everything during their time together. Had he ever been honest?
    And what was behind Jamey O'Donnell's kindnesses? Was he purposely deceiving her, too, for his own motives?
    She needed answers to these questions in order to get her life on track and to achieve her independence. From now on, she promised herself and Cissie, she would be in control. No one, including Mr. O'Donnell, would take advantage of her again.
    Forcing a smile, she stood. “Now, where are we going to put this tree?”
     
    * * *
     
    Jamey had