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Megan gave up her ciphering and leaned back in her chair. There had been so much fear for so long. She'd allowed her sister to dominate her life, threatening her every time she tried something Colleen didn't approve of. It wasn't right. And Megan had no one to blame but herself. Was she ready to stand up to her sister? Was she ready to risk her place in the town, possibly jeopardize her store?
Did she have another choice? Since their father had died, Colleen had been the one to say what was right and acceptable.
"It's not as if I want to become a dance-hall girl," Megan muttered. She just wanted a little life of her own. It didn't seem too much to ask.
She knew her sister well enough to suspect she would be getting a visit from her in the next couple of days. Colleen would stop by to make sure she was doing well, and to explain that she said those ugly things "for your own good."
Megan didn't believe that anymore. She was beginning to think her sister had never cared about her.
A knock at her office door brought her to her feet. Had Justin returned? She quickly stepped to the threshold and pulled open the door.
Instead of Justin's handsome face, her brother-in-law stared down at her. His few wisps of hair swayed gently as he shook his head back and forth.
"I don't know what to say," he murmured as he moved into her small office. "Colleen told me what happened. While I don't agree with what she said, I certainly share her concerns."
"Thank you," she said, forcing herself to smile. "If that's why you stopped by—"
"It's not the only reason." Gene held his dark hat in one hand. With the other, he touched her shoulder. "I came by to see you."
She stared up at him, not quite sure what he meant. Despite his regular features and impressively broad frame, she couldn't believe she'd once thought him handsome. There was an edge to him, an air of coldness. He had a vicious temper. She remembered him slapping the child at the social and tried to back away. The wooden cabinets containing her records stopped her.
"I wish you'd spoken to me, Megan. I am your minister."
"Of course you are," she said brightly. "Spoken to you about what?"
"Your needs." He moved closer. "I should have realized a woman all alone would feel a certain... emptiness inside. I could have helped you with that."
She panicked. He couldn't be saying what she thought he was saying. It didn't make sense. He was married to her sister.
She darted her gaze around the room, searching for an escape. He was standing between her and the only door in the room.
"I think you might want to consider some spiritual counseling."
"Spiritual counseling?" She could have laughed with relief. Colleen had gotten to her more than she'd realized. She was seeing danger where it didn't even exist. "Oh, that. I see. I'm rather busy at the moment, but it's so kind of you to offer."
His hand moved from her shoulder to her neck. His thumb traced a line along her jaw and he licked his lips. "I have much to offer you, Megan. You're a very attractive woman. Colleen can be difficult at times, as I'm sure you can imagine." He moved closer until his bulk pressed against her. "You must be lonely. I can help with that."
"No!" She pushed hard against his chest. When he didn't budge, she ducked under his arm. She turned around to face him and backed up until the door was behind her. "You've misjudged me and the situation, Gene. You're my sister's husband." A shudder raced through her.
He glared at her. The warmth fled his eyes leaving only anger. She'd disliked her brother-in-law before, but she'd never feared him. A cold knot formed in her stomach. "I see."
"I don't think you do," she said quickly. "I understand how I might have led you to believe..." She paused. She'd never been a very good liar, but the last thing she needed was Gene for an enemy. "I appreciate your kindness to my sister and myself. Let's simply put this unfortunate incident behind us."
He began moving toward her. Megan gripped the door handle behind her, prepared to jerk it open and throw herself into the hallway. From there, people in the store would be able to hear her screams. Oh, but she didn't want to have to do that.
