Colorado Dawn by Erica Vetsch Read Free Book Online

go?”
    David’s head snapped around to face their voices.
    Matilda had dropped the cat among the pigeons, and her pale blue eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
    “As well as could be expected.” Karen unfolded the document Matilda had requested she bring along after supper. “He brought me my own copy of the lawsuit. Would you like to read it?”
    “It might be best if you read it out loud, since it concerns all of us.” The older woman’s voice was as bland as rice pudding, but she had David in her sights.
    David scowled, and Karen’s hands trembled as she smoothed the papers on her lap. Her heart thrummed in her ears. So much hinged on David’s reaction. Her voice shook a bit as she read through the opening paragraphs but steadied as she got to the heart of the matter.
    “…did freely and publicly announce their betrothal and intention of joining together in marriage. Such being the case, the private setting aside of the betrothal will substantially damage the plaintiff’s ability to obtain a suitable marriage in the future, as well as severely affect her good reputation. The circumstances of the breach of promise defame the plaintiff’s good name and standing in the community. The plaintiff cites the economic hardship that has befallen her as a result of the breach of promise on the part of the defendant. She gave up her employment situation at the urging of her betrothed, and the position has been filled by another.”
    Jesse grinned like a well-fed cat, his arms banded across his broad chest, his booted ankles crossed toward the hearth. Sam tipped a pawn on edge and rolled it in a circle, not looking up, though an arrow of concern formed between his brows.
    When Karen got to the monetary compensation clause, the pencil David had been toying with snapped. “That’s outrageous.” The words burst from him like bullets from a gun. “That sum is preposterous. This entire situation is preposterous.”
    Karen lowered the papers, not trusting herself to speak. She wanted to tell him this was a farce, that she had no intention of going through with it, that she loved him and wanted him to
want
to be married to her.
    Matilda nodded, a smile playing around her lips. She must think her plans were working at least in part. David was talking to them.
    “Whew, Karen, that’s a sight of money.” Jesse whistled. “Fuller thinks he can get you that much?”
    David shot to his feet, sending his chair crashing into the wall. “Over my dead body. And, Father, I can’t believe you aren’t livid about—”
    Matilda cut him off. “There is a simple solution to this problem, David. I believe Karen is entitled to something out of this whole affair. If you aren’t prepared to do the right thing by her, then she deserves compensation. Of course, you could end this entire business by marrying her. The family is agreed in this, and it is what you want, isn’t it, Karen?”
    “With all my heart,” Karen whispered, choking back the tears.
    David snorted. “That is not going to happen. Karen, you’ve lost your senses. You will not coerce me this way. Neither will you rob my family in this manner. Mother, I’ve abided by your new rules, but as of now, my evening is finished. Good night.”
    David skirted the settee and ran straight into the potted palm on the table by the door. The pot teetered for a moment, then crashed to the floor, shattering and sending dirt and palm fronds across the rug. Redness barged up David’s neck and across his high cheekbones. He stumbled through the wreckage and groped for the door handle before anyone could move.
    Karen’s mouth hung open. She was the one who had lost her senses? She rose to go after him.
    Matilda tried to restrain her. “No, Karen, don’t back down now.”
    “Don’t worry.” She gently removed Matilda’s hand from her arm. “I have no intention of backing down.” Her footsteps rang on the foyer floor. “David Mackenzie, stop this instant.”
    He stopped, his hand