The SEAL's Second Chance Baby Read Free

glare. Where was his boy? His wife? The angel who’d found him?
    How much Crotalidae was given?
    He got the initial six, and we’re hanging another six right now.
    â€œSir? Could you tell us what kind of snake bit you?”
    Were they talking to him?
    â€œSir? Were you bitten by a rattlesnake?”
    Marsh tried nodding but couldn’t be sure if he’d even moved.
    â€œSir, judging by the severity of your symptoms, we need to double-check you weren’t bitten by something more exotic. Are you sure it was a rattler?”
    â€œY-yes,” Marsh managed. After having to put down one of his grandfather’s best horses when it broke its leg in a prairie dog hole, Marsh had been out on the range, filling as many of the damned things as he could, when the snake lunged without warning. It clamped onto the webby flesh between his thumb and forefinger for an eternity before Marsh shook him free. He’d done his best to stay calm, drunk as much water as he could, then climbed into his chestnut’s saddle, strapping himself in before aiming the horse for home.
    Sounds definitive to me. Look at the poor guy. He’s twitching all over. See the fasciculations? How his muscles look like worms under his skin. It’s bad. One of the worst snakebites I’ve seen in a while.

Chapter Two
    â€œMarsh Langtree...” Mabelheld up the stranger’s ID to check it with her reading glasses. “Why does that name sound familiar?”
    â€œIs he a neighbor?” They’d finished lunch, and while Mabel fed Cassidy her baby food pears, Effie cleared the kitchen table. “I mean, think about it. I found him on horseback, so he couldn’t have come from too far away.”
    â€œHmm...” Mabel wiped drool from the baby’s chin.
    Cassidy grinned and blew a raspberry.
    Effie’s daughter had her blue eyes, but the twins had Moody’s soulful brown gaze. Every time she looked at her boys, Effie could be bitter, but she was only thankful that her brief marriage had created such blessings.
    â€œSeems to me—” Mabel fed Cassidy another bite “—Wallace Stokes has family out east.”
    â€œWho’s Wallace?”
    â€œLet’s just say he’s a neighbor and leave it at that.”
    â€œWhy haven’t you mentioned him before? You had to have known him, right?”
    â€œGirl, leave it alone.”
    â€œI’m intrigued.” Effie fitted the stopper in the sink, turned on hot water, then added a squirt of dish soap. “This sounds like a good story.”
    â€œHa! He’s got a fresh mouth.”
    â€œThis just keeps getting better...” Effie didn’t try hiding her grin. Mabel might be a great-grandma three times over, but that didn’t stop her from flirting up a storm every Saturday night she went square dancing. “What did he do?”
    â€œPoor Dwayne had barely been in his grave a year when Wallace showed up at the Grange Hall for dancing and told me I was shakin’ my behind like a wet dog.”
    Effie tried not to laugh—really, she did—but Mabel’s pinched scowl was too funny.
    â€œHow’s that funny? The man’s a scoundrel.”
    â€œGrandma, even you have to admit that when you’ve had a few beers—”
    â€œI don’t imbibe in spirits, and shame on you for inferring I do. I might have had cider, but that’s all.”
    â€œIf you say so.” Effie winked.
    â€œGirl, you’d better be glad you’re too big for a spanking, or else.”
    â€œSorry, Grandma. But do you have Wallace’s phone number? If so, I’ll give him a call to save you the trouble.”
    â€œWhy would I have the old coot’s number?”
    â€œWe could try calling information or looking it up online.”
    â€œGirl, I’ve got no patience for your fancy detective work. Go see him in person. It’s that rock house a fair piece down the road with the