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Justin stared at her. Morning light shone through the freshly washed windows, surrounding him with a golden glow. Megan knew she was being fanciful, but at that moment he looked as invincible as a warrior. He stood tall and strong, his feet spread slightly, his hands hanging loosely at his sides. His dark beaver-felt hat hid his eyes, but she knew they would be burning with an angry fire. She clutched the box of buttons close to her chest and smiled. Colleen had met her match.
"I don't want to listen to anything you have to say, madam," he said curtly.
"You will listen," Colleen told him, walking toward him. "The church is prepared to—"
There was a slight movement behind Justin. A small girl stepped out from behind the tall man. She was thin, with big
eyes and beautiful dark hair. Her coat and dress were worn, her shoes in tatters. Even from halfway across the store, Megan could see the bruise on the little girl's face.
Her heart went out to the child. She looked about six or seven, with the most solemn expression, as if she'd never had a reason to smile. Megan had only been a few years older when she'd lost her own mother. She remembered how alone she'd felt, and she'd still had her sister and father. This girl had no one.
The child bit her lower lip and pointed. "That's the church lady. The one who said my mama was a postute."
Justin place his large hand on the girl's shoulder. "I know, honey. Don't worry. I won't let her hurt you." He looked at Colleen. "You've already done enough. I'll take care of the girl."
"You?" Colleen shuddered as if she'd just seen a mouse. "That's hardly appropriate."
"It's a damn sight more appropriate than anything you've got planned. I wouldn't trust you to take care of a stalk of corn, let alone a child."
Colleen puffed up, her chin thrusting forward defiantly, her hands clutching together in agitation. "Don't you dare swear in front of me."
"Colleen, you're making this more than it has to be," Megan said, stepping closer to her sister. "If Justin doesn't want your assistance, then don't give it to him."
"I don't need you to fight my battles." Colleen glared at the child. "I will do my Christian duty, despite your interference, Justin Kincaid. As I was saying, the church is willing to buy her a train ticket East, so she can go to an orphanage. We simply don't have the facilities in Landing to take care of a child like her."
The little girl had been following the conversation, turning her head from one adult to another. At Colleen's pronouncement, she froze in place. Her face went pale and her big eyes filled with tears. "Don't let her send me to an orphanage.' '
"I won't," he said, never taking his gaze from Colleen.
"I suppose you plan to keep her yourself?"
"If I have to."
Colleen laughed. The harsh, brittle sound echoed in the store like a sharp explosion of shattered glass. "In your hotel room? What will you do with her while you visit your—"
"Don't say it," he growled. "I won't be responsible for my actions if you do/'
"Justin?" The girl tugged on his pant leg. "Promise me I don't have to go to the orphanage." Her voice shook so much, she barely got the word out.
He crouched down beside her. "I promise, Bonnie."
A single tear rolled down the child's cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb. Megan set her box of buttons on the glass counter and moved over to the girl.
The child looked up at her. The fear in the little girl's eyes hit her square in the midsection. She forced herself to smile. "If Justin says he's going to keep you safe, then you can believe him."
The girl sniffed. "I don't wanna go. Mrs. Jarvis said they beat children there." Another tear fell.
Justin smoothed his fingers over her cheek. The tender gesture should have been awkward and out of character, Megan thought, but he had always been good at doing the unexpected.
"A pretty story," Colleen said. "Very touching, I'm sure. However, the town doesn't have any room to keep her."
Justin stood up. "I said she's staying with me. I want to help Bonnie find her family."
"You really think she has any? If her father cared about her, he would have married her mother. But then, that's probably why the two of you get along," Colleen continued. "You're a bastard, too, aren't you, Justin? Like meets like."
