The Bride Backfire by Kelly Eileen Hake Read Free Book Online

him. Slink home without finding and fixing whatever Larry had done ... or enlist Opal’s help. That those blue eyes were wide with worry somehow made the choice easier. For as long as he’d been cooling Grogan tempers, Adam had known Opal did the same within the walls of the Speck farm.
    â€œIt’s too late for me to go back now. There’s something I have to do.” He drew a deep breath and took a step of faith. “And I could use your help.”
    â€œHow do we fix it?” Resignation added a grim set to her mouth, darkening the cornflower blue of her gaze and sending a surge of shame through Adam’s chest.
    We Grogans did that. She doesn’t even know what the problem is this time. Just knows it needs to be fixed. And she’s the one saddled with it because she’s willing to keep a lid on her temper for the sake of her family.
    Suddenly his irritation swung right back to the Specks for making Opal shoulder the heavy burden of peacekeeper. Didn’t they know it was the man’s job to protect, not the other way around? That half the task lay in keeping the weight of worry away from their women?
    â€œYesterday we found one of our milking cows dead, eyes cloudy, froth around her nose and mouth. Same as has been going on for the past couple of years.”
    â€œWe aren’t poisoning your cattle!” Fire leapt to life in her cheeks. “The Grogans aren’t the only family affected by whatever’s happening. We’ve lost three cows to the same thing!”
    â€œBe that as it may—”
    â€œThere’s no ‘may be’ about it, Adam Grogan.” She flung an arm wide, pointing back toward his farm. “Take your accusations and your uncertainties back where you came from. I can’t help you with imaginary issues.”
    Had he just credited her with keeping a lid on her temper? Adam shook his head and tried again. “Fine. Be that as it is, ” he stressed the word, only continuing after her grudging nod, “Pa believes otherwise.”
    â€œYou want me to warn my family,” Opal surmised. “Done.”
    â€œIt can’t be solved so easily this time.” Adam let out a long breath. “Pa sent Larry with a warning of his own last night.”
    â€œWhat warning?” Every line of her body tensed.
    â€œIn spite of my best efforts, he sent my brother to put the skull in front of your house with a note inside.”
    â€œHe’d dare breach the boundary again?” The angry red in her cheeks ebbed, drained by fear. “In bad blood?”
    â€œWhen your family didn’t respond, Pa decided you’re all hatching a plot.” One look at Opal’s face right now would’ve convinced him otherwise, but Adam didn’t have that luxury. “I figure Larry didn’t follow orders exactly.”
    â€œThey’re going to kill each other.” The realization robbed even her voice of its power, leaving nothing but a whisper.
    â€œNot if I can find his message first.” Adam reached a hand toward her shoulder to steady her, but she jerked back.
    â€œOh, we’ll find it.” Determination returned the strength to her words. “What do you think your brother planned?”
    â€œImpossible to know for sure, but whatever he thinks would rile your family the most.” Adam rubbed the back of his neck. “I thought maybe he’d put the skull in the barn, near your cattle, but it’s not there.”
    â€œI would’ve found it when I did the milking,” Opal agreed. “Perhaps he unearthed some sense and put it near your boundary line, where a warning would do good to someone about to trespass?”
    â€œChecked there before I came over,” he admitted. “Not that I held out any hope.”
    â€œNot near the house or the barn, nor the yard. I already slopped the hogs and gathered eggs, so I would’ve seen it.”
    â€œWhat would be the worst