To Tame a Renegade by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online Page B

nowadays. My man is laid up and hasn’t earned a penny in weeks. An’ me with another baby on the way.”
    “How would you like to earn some money, Mrs. Barlow?” Chad asked, heartened by Carrie’s reply.
    Carrie’s eyes lit up, then just as quickly dimmed. “A sick husband and five children to care for don’t give me much time to earn extra money.”
    “I realize you’re limited in what you can do, but perhaps we can reach an agreement Sarah is going to need help. She can’t dress or bathe herself, or properly care for Abner. I’ll pay a decent wage if you can find time to help her.”
    Carrie shook her head. “There just ain’t no way, mister. Lord knows I need the money, but I can barely take care of my own brood.”
    Frustration gnawed at Chad. He could sympathize with Carrie Barlow even though her response disappointed him. He was between a rock and a hard place and saw no solution.
    Carrie must have sensed Chad’s dilemma for suddenly she brightened. “Tell you what, mister. I can come over before the children get up in the morning and help Sarah bathe and dress. Then maybe I can sneak over again at bedtime and settle her for the night. Abner can stay here during the day and play with my kids. One more ain’t gonna make much difference. Except… well, there ain’t hardly enough food to set on the table as it is and it would be a chore to feed another mouth.”
    Relief such as he’d never felt before washed over Chad. “I can pay five dollars a week. Doc Clayter said Sarah will be laid up two, three weeks at the most I’ll pay you three weeks in advance. How does that sound?”
    Carrie’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Five whole dollars a week? I declare. There really is a God.”
    “I feel the same way.” Chad reached into his pocket and found three five-dollar gold pieces, placing them in Carrie’s outstretched palm. Carrie closed her fingers around them as if she feared Chad would snatch them back.
    Jubilant Chad returned to Sarah’s house to tell her the good news. He was free! Free to cast off the bonds of responsibility and resume his life again. The first order of business was Freddie Jackson. The outlaw was still on the loose and a five-hundred-dollar reward sounded damn good right now.
    The savory aroma of stew filled the small shack and Chad’s mouth watered. Maybe he’d stay long enough to share supper with Sarah and Abner. Then a troubling thought occurred to Chad. Sarah couldn’t feed herself. Nor could she cook or buy food. He had no idea how long it would be before she was able to take in laundry again but the vision of Sarah bending over a tub did not appeal to him. He stirred the stew and went in to see Sarah.
    Despite her mixed feelings about Chad, Sarah was glad to see him. And surprised. “I thought you’d be gone.”
    “Not yet. I spoke with Carrie Barlow. She’s agreed to come over in the mornings to help you wash and dress, and return again in the evenings to put you to bed. She’s also agreed to keep Abner during the day.”
    “What! In case you didn’t notice, Carrie Barlow is expecting again. She has her hands full taking care of her own family.”
    “The woman needs the money, Sarah. She’s earning hard cash for helping you. I’m really doing her a favor.”
    Sarah’s violet eyes blazed with defiance. “You’re taking advantage of Carrie’s desperate situation.”
    “I’m doing this for you.”
    “You’re doing this for yourself. You want to leave and are willing to do anything to escape with your conscience intact. I don’t need you, Chad Delaney. I got along just fine before you showed up.”
    Chad laughed mirthlessly. “You don’t say. You look pretty helpless to me. You can’t use your hands or arms and you’ve injured your foot. What else can go wrong?”
    “Plenty if you stick around!” Sarah shot back.
    “Why are you arguing with my mother?” Abner asked, clearly frightened.
    Chad turned his attention to Abner. The last thing he