The Devil's Daughter Read Free Page A

agreement?”
    “Of course – whatever Mr. Caine wants.”
    “Once the money’s paid,” Miss Blake hurried to say, “there’s no refund.”
    Caine nodded in silent agreement.
    “And,” she went on. “Annulments are not--”
    “There’ll be no need for an annulment,” he interrupted with a hard glare.
    Another loud groan sounded through the room, but before anyone could complain too loudly--or, God forbid, change their mind--Miss Blake bartered an amount, had them both sign the slip, then ushered them through the crowd toward the door.
    “Reverend Conroy is waiting at the church.” She hurried them out of the restaurant. “Just give him this slip and the school’s portion of the money. Good luck to you both.”
    She made to shut the door behind them, but stood on the other side, peering through the last remaining crack for a long moment.
    “Mr. Caine,” she said quietly. “I meant what I said. I’ll help in any way I can.”
    Lucy waited until the door was closed before speaking. There was something about the fat lady Lucy didn’t trust. Granted, she didn’t trust anyone, but this woman was particularly odd.
    “Do we have to be married in the church?” Lucy shivered, panic clenching at her throat.
    Mr. Caine held out his arm for her to take, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t go inside a church – God would strike her down before her foot crossed the threshold - and any preacher worth his salt would know what she was the instant he saw her. If that happened, this whole plan would be finished before it began.
    “Change your mind already?” He chuckled, setting his hat over his dark hair and tipping her a raised brow.
    “No,” she answered, her mind racing. “I’m not a particularly religious person is all.” That was putting it mildly. “Couldn’t we go see the judge instead and have him pass the money on to the school?”
    Mr. Caine shrugged. “Makes no difference to me as long as it’s done quickly and we can get back. Day’s a-wastin’.”
    She released a breath and took the arm he offered. Warmth radiated from his skin – a welcome relief to Lucy as she shivered again. “Does it ever get warm?”
    His laughter startled her. “It’s the middle of July, Miss Firr.” He waved towards the sun, directly overhead. “It doesn’t get any hotter than Texas in July.” He turned to look at her while they walked. “Where are you from, anyway?”
    “Somewhere warmer than here,” she answered with a smile.
    He led her across the main street of town, steering her around potholes and horse droppings.
    “What brings you to a town like Redemption?” he asked.
    A lie jumped to her tongue, but Lucy bit it back. It would be much more interesting to see him figure it out bit by bit, even though his mind would refuse to believe any of it.
    “I came here to save myself from a life of misery.” She lifted her silk skirts higher than necessary to avoid another pile of dung. “I want to live what you’d call a normal life.”
    “And you didn’t have a normal life where you lived before?”
    “Normal for there, yes,” she answered.
    They passed by the bank and then the feed store, where two men standing outside leered openly at her. A pointed look from Mr. Caine had them scurrying inside, safe from the trouble his glare promised.
    “What was so bad about where you lived?” he asked, as though nothing had happened.
    Lucy bit back a laugh, then watched his face as she answered. “It was Hell.”
    To her surprise, he didn’t flinch at her language. Instead he chuckled softly. “I know what you mean. I used to think this was hell, too.”
    “Oh no,” she muttered. “This isn’t even close.”
    He led her inside the law office where, within minutes, the old whiskey-smelling judge had made it official.
    She was now Mrs. Jedidiah Caine. Granted, it wouldn’t last long, but she’d never been a wife before.
    This ought to be interesting.
     
     

CHAPTER TWO
     
    What the hell did he just