The SEAL's Second Chance Baby Read Free Page A

leaning barn. Not only is the man foulmouthed, but lazy.”
    â€œI’ve never heard you say a bad word about anyone. Is this Wallace character really so bad?”
    As if on cue, Cassidy spit out her last bite of pears.
    â€œSee?” Mabel said. “If even hearing about the man left a sour taste in this sweet baby’s mouth, then you know what I say is true.”
    * * *
    T HIRTY MINUTES LATER , Effie had finished cleaning the lunch dishes, gotten the sulking twins started on their afternoon chores and allowed her grandmother to coerce her into visiting this supposedly wretched Wallace who might or might not have kin named Marsh Langtree.
    She now stood on the man’s front porch, wishing for even a hint of a breeze to cut the oppressive heat.
    At least his yard sported three cottonwoods. She welcomed the shade.
    Effie had just raised her hand to knock on the peeling red front door when it opened. Startled, she jumped back, pressing her hand over her pounding heart. “You scared me.”
    â€œGood. I don’t need religion or a new vacuum, so you’d best be on your way.”
    â€œNo, sir. I’m Effie Washington—your neighbor from down the road. My grandma says we share a property line with you, and—”
    â€œMabel’s your grandmother?”
    â€œYessir...” Effie held her breath. If he harbored half as many hard feelings toward Mabel as she did toward him, this visit might turn even more unpleasant.
    â€œWell, why didn’t you say so? Come on in.” He stepped back to hold open the door.
    She entered, and nearly purred with pleasure from a humming window-mounted air conditioner’s chill. “Wow, does this feel nice.”
    â€œMabel doesn’t have AC?”
    â€œNo, sir.”
    â€œHumph.” The tall, slender man with a shock of white hair and an impressive handlebar mustache wandered to a sagging brown recliner. A massive Maine coon cat took up the entire seat. He hefted it up to toss onto the sofa, then settled into his chair. “Have a seat.”
    The offended cat glared before starting a tongue bath.
    Effie chose a simple oak rocker, unsure how to broach the matter that had brought her here.
    â€œHow is Mabel? I trust she’s okay?” Interesting. Far from being the monster Mabel had portrayed, Wallace seemed cordial enough—at least once he’d confirmed she wasn’t witnessing or selling unwanted items.
    â€œShe’s good.”
    â€œDoes she talk much about me?” He leaned forward. “The last time we met at the Grange Hall, we’d both had a few spirits and I’m afraid I may have said something to offend her.”
    â€œI’m sure not.” So much for Mabel’s claim to never imbibe. “In fact, she’s the one who suggested I come over, to—”
    â€œDoes she want me to come for supper? I’m available most any night of the week. My grandson’s living with me, so he’d probably enjoy a good meal, too. Lord knows, neither one of us cooks.”
    â€œActually—” now Effie was leaning in “—would your grandson happen to be named Marsh?”
    â€œYes. Why?”
    She forced a deep breath. “I’m not sure how to say this, but I was working on our roof when I spied a horse carrying a man slumped in his saddle. Making a long story short, the man’s hand was a mess, and showed signs of having been snake bit. I called an ambulance, and paramedics took him into La Junta.” She fished Marsh’s wallet from her back pocket, along with his broken wedding ring. “He should be fine, but—”
    â€œTake me to him.” He stood, holding out his hands for his grandson’s things.
    â€œE-excuse me?” She gave him the two items.
    â€œI don’t drive, so you’ll have to take me to him.”
    â€œOh—sure. Have trouble seeing?”
    â€œHell, no.” He’d already stood and took a black