his mind that it would take a dozen suns to lighten the sorrow in this house. He’d never considered himself as knowing much about women, but compared to Duke Camanez, he was a knight. If he hadn’t heard the words he never would have believed a father could be so cruel to his only child. Apparently, he saw her as only a means to grandsons. His only chance that his blood would continue to own the ranch he called San Louise.
His uncles stood a foot inside the door looking as out of place as pigs in a parade. To their credit, they had tried to clean up. Their faces and hands were washed and they’d slicked back their dirty hair. He thought of Mrs. Peters back at the school near the prison. She probably would have taken one look at these three and had them planted in the dirt in hopes that whatever sprouted might be cleaner.
He joined them as they surveyed the place.
“We could take a dozen of these candleholders and they’d never miss them,” Joseph whispered.
Michael glared at all three. “Rule two. Don’t take anything,” he said softly and all three nodded.
He watched them move around the room, staring at every piece of furniture or painting as if they were appraising its value. Strangers began to come down the stairs and from the hallway where his part-time wife had disappeared. They hung in small groups like travelers at a train station showing little interest in people around them.
Michael guessed some were employees, some might be relatives, but he had no idea if they were holding a death watch or waiting for a wedding. If he had to define their look, it would be curiosity more than sadness or joy.
Five minutes later, they all turned and watched Cozette slowly come down the steps. The feeling that she was too beautiful to be real crossed his mind and he considered the possibility that this was all one long dream. When he’d first begun to read, he’d dreamed that the places and people in books were real, but he’d seen no evidence of it until now.
She played a role before him she must have been born to play. She greeted the sleepy guests who were down the stairs and the cowboys stepping inside, their hats in hand, with the same graceful smiles and comments.
Only one, an older man in black, looked like he hadn’t been asleep. He stormed down the stairs glaring at Cozette, then searched the room until his gaze settled on Michael.
Michael knew if looks could kill he’d be dead.
Before being introduced, he had no doubt this was her uncle, Raymond Camanez. The man who would have inherited everything if she hadn’t married.
Raymond said something sharp to her as she made the introduction, then glared at Michael as if he knew something was wrong but couldn’t quite see the flaw. Then, like a storm breaking, his features cleared. Cozette’s uncle Raymond took a step toward Michael, offering his hand.
When Michael took the man’s hand, Raymond pulled him close and whispered, “You’re a walking dead man for tricking me out of this ranch.”
Michael stared as the older man pulled away smiling as if he’d just wished them well.
Cozette had moved away, probably to stay out of reach of her uncle. Michael could find no words to answer the threat, but he planned to keep watch. He might not know much about women, but he’d seen enough evil men to know one on sight.
The priest arrived and offered a blessing to the house. Then women came from the kitchen with huge trays of food. The ranch hands began to take their seats along a dining table long enough to hold two dozen people.
Cozette moved toward Michael. “You’ll sit at the head of the table,” she whispered. “I’ll sit at the other end.”
“No.” Michael shook his head. “This is our wedding breakfast. You should stay at my side.” He moved to the head of the table and pulled a chair from the wall.
She gave him a puzzled look, then smiled as if proud he was willing to play his part.
As they ate, Cozette introduced him to a few of the hands and they made more introductions. By the time breakfast was over, he could call most of the men by name and, surprisingly, they treated him with respect.
Cozette explained that he’d ridden for four days to get to her and made a joke about how he’d look far better when he got