The First Wife by Erica Spindler Read Free Book Online

eleven.”
    “My God.”
    “Henry was one of the groomers. He realized what was happening and put himself between
     her and the stallion. It was the most—” He shook his head. “I never looked at a stallion,
     any horse for that matter, the same way again. They’re powerful creatures.”
    Bailey could only imagine how traumatic it must have been for Paul to have witnessed
     the attack.
    Bailey rubbed her arms. “How old was Henry when it happened?”
    “I’m not sure. Old enough to have been Raine’s father.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “That sounded wrong. I meant he was around the same age as Logan’s parents. She never
     forgave herself.”
    He fell silent a moment. “Elisabeth took care of all his medical expenses. In fact,
     she promised she would take care of him forever. And she has, even though she’s gone.
     She deeded him the land and when the time came, built him a small home, gave him a
     job and a salary for life. It’s all legal. No one could take it away from him.”
    “She was something special, wasn’t she?”
    “Yes.” A faraway expression came into his eyes. “She was more of a mother to me than
     my own.”
    He took off his cowboy hat and ran a hand through his short-cropped, sandy-colored
     hair, then fitted it back on. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to go on that way. Is there anything
     I can get you, Bailey? Any questions you need answered, directions someplace?”
    “I do have one question.”
    “Shoot.”
    “It’s about True. August said I look like her. Do I?”
    Her question had taken him by surprise, she saw. He cleared his throat. “No. Resemble,
     maybe. In your size and coloring.”
    She didn’t quite believe him, but didn’t know why. Most probably her own insecurity.
    “One more question.”
    He glanced at the clock. “Shoot.”
    “I overheard Logan and Raine, did he and True marry as suddenly as—”
    He cut her off. “You should talk to Logan about this, Bailey. It’s not my business.”
    His brusque tone felt like a slap and her face warmed. “You’re right. I’m sorry, it
     wasn’t fair to put you in that position.”
    “If there’s anything else I can help you with, just ask.”
    She stuffed her hands in her pockets. “Thanks, I will. Paul?”
    He stopped and looked back.
    “I’m not like True.”
    “I didn’t say you were.”
    “I just wanted you to know that. I’m not going anywhere.”

 
    CHAPTER SEVEN
    Bailey stepped out into the bright, cold day. She shivered slightly and drew her sweater
     coat tighter around her. She’d been on the farm nearly a month and had learned its
     rhythm. The activities here revolved around the horses and their physical needs. Food
     and exercise, health care. Even schooling for the young ones, discipline for the headstrong.
     Like a barn full of children to care for.
    Her days had fallen into a predictable pattern, as well; one that revolved around
     Logan’s schedule instead of her own. He had been busy, pulled between his land management
     firm and farm business.
    But she hadn’t been bored. Or lonely. Her things had arrived from Nebraska and a good
     bit of her days had been devoted to sorting and storing. She had lingered over things
     that had been her mother’s, photographs of her, of the two of them together. She had
     lovingly placed the framed photos throughout the house, so no matter what room she
     was in, she would be able to see her.
    Tony greeted her with an excited bark and ran over, his entire back end swinging with
     his tail.
    “Hey, buddy.” She bent and scratched behind his ears as best she could. In his ecstasy,
     he proved too much of a moving target. She had learned not to worry over where the
     pup was—he, too, seemed to have fallen into a pattern, splitting his time between
     her, Henry and hanging around the barn with the other dogs.
    “You with Henry this morning? Or did you come to see me?” He stopped wiggling and
     sat, giving her an opportunity for a proper scratch, then jumped