AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I put my fingers over my mouth, afraid I would be sick. “It’s somewhat ironic, don’t you think, that you drove me from town because of a nonexistent scandal only to be forced out yourselves?”
“I told you years ago using big words like… ironic makes you seem aloof and difficult,” Tara prompted. She narrowed her eyes at me. “You don’t look very good.”
Jed and Knox both looked down at me, Jed turning me to face him. “Are you all right? You’re very pale.”
“I feel sick.”
Jed glanced at the women, the corner of his mouth turning down. “I don’t blame you.”
“I assume your dead husband had a home you shared. We will live there so we don’t have to disturb your new marriage.”
My mouth fell open at her boldness. No one would invite themselves to stay as they did.
“Marina, Mr. Thomkins’ house was—”
I was going to tell them it had been wiped out in the mudslide that also killed him, but Jed spoke over me.
“The house is located on Union Street, two blocks that way.” Jed pointed over Tara’s shoulder.
She glanced at Knox, clearly uninterested in Jed since he was my husband.
“An escort would be greatly appreciated.”
I narrowed my eyes at Tara, furious.
She’d been in front of me for two minutes and set her sights on my men!
Jed took my hand, gave it a squeeze. Glancing at me, he winked.
I took a deep breath, let it out, trying to rid myself of the need to punch her in the nose and to not vomit.
“I’m sure it would,” Knox replied, looking to the miners across the street. “Simms, Partridge, Abel!” he called. I’d only been in town a month and had yet to make everyone’s acquaintance, or learn their name, especially since my men had kept me so occupied, but I was sure everyone knew me. A new woman, married to the recently deceased Mr. Thomkins, quickly remarried to the Knox brothers. I was a novelty.
The men all but ran across the street, quite eager for the introductions. They almost fell over themselves with their haste and removed their hats to nod and smile at the Jamison sisters.
“Please escort the Jamisons to Melvin Thomkins’ house.”
“You can’t escort us?” Tara asked, looking up at Knox and missing the confusion on the men’s faces at the request, knowing full well what happened to the house.
“No.”
“They wish to stay there while they are in town,” Knox explained to the men. “If it is not to their liking, I’m sure the three of you can help them find something more suitable.”
The men grinned, understanding Knox’s meaning. Once they saw the destroyed house, the miners would be able to offer their assistance to the women. Whether it was to take them to the boarding house or marry them, I didn’t care. I didn’t think anyone was deserving of marrying either of the women, but if these three weren’t sharp enough to see their true personalities, then they deserved the union.
Even though I knew the women would be going elsewhere, at least for the time being, I didn’t feel any better.
“You were always kind to those of Clancy in their time of need. We are in need now, Eve, and you will see to us,” Marina said.
I swallowed, wiped a hand over my damp brow. Jed’s hand settled on my hip and I felt reassured, but not better.
“We heard from our escort up from Jasper that you are a wealthy woman now. Plenty to share with your needy family.”
No more. I couldn’t listen to them any longer. I felt horrible and I just wanted to lie down with a cool compress. “Marina,” I said, wanting to tell her to go away, but the contents of my stomach started to move up into my throat.
“What?” She stepped forward so she stood before me, looking down her nose at me with her wicked superiority. “Well?”
I didn’t answer. Instead, I vomited all over the front of her dress.
