Cara waved and watched them run off. They’d never asked her name. She strolled the rest of the way to The Duchess, her heart light. Finally, she had the information she’d been searching for.
Laurie Dixon was, in fact, Lorraine Mahoney Dixon and she would marry Matthew Whittaker, if nothing stopped that from happening. With all the Whittaker men married, Micah’s future was virtually assured. What a relief!
Humming softly, she pushed through the batwing doors of The Duchess and walked smack into a masculine chest. Strong arms grasped her upper arms, keeping her from falling.
A gasp escaped her throat, and she knew before she ever tipped her head back whose chest she’d just collided with. His scent gave him away and her shoulders slumped. Finally, looking up, she stared into the angry face of her husband, Micah Whittaker.
Hell, and it had been such a good day too!
Once he was assured she was steady, he released her and stepped to the side, allowing her to enter the barroom. Mead and Morgan were standing at the bar, quietly taking it all in.
“When did you arrive?” she asked coolly as she removed her hat and placed it on a table.
“This morning.”
“How did you get to town?”
“Morgan came and got me. I let him know when I would be arriving?”
“So, you knew all along?” she accused, turning to pin Morgan with an angry gaze.
“Of course. Did you really think I would be fooled by that get-up you’re wearing?” he asked with a laugh. “Typically, you’re not a ridiculous woman, Cara. At least I never thought so. Guess I was wrong.”
“Shut the hell up, Morgan. Mead?”
“I swear, I didn’t say a thing,” he stated, his hand up. “I gave you my word.”
“Humph! Micah, are you going to let me explain?” she asked bitterly.
“No explanation is necessary, my love. I know what you did and why you did it.”
“And you’re not angry?” she asked in surprise.
“Angry doesn’t begin to cover what I’m feeling. However, that’s immaterial at this point. I figure once we get home, you’ll have the rest of your life to pay for your defiance.”
“Oh great! Just what I wanted to hear.”
“Glad I could accommodate you.”
Cara turned her back on them all and walked to the window, staring out.
“Micah, since you’re already here, you might as well stay for the wedding,” Mead suggested, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
“I might at that,” Micah agreed. “Too bad Matthew can’t get married too. A double wedding, so to speak. I’ll be the first man in history to witness his great-great-great- grandfather’s nuptials.”
“Which one of us is the culprit?” Morgan teased.
“I can’t be sure, of course, but I believe it’s Matthew. That’s what makes sense, in any case.”
“Then you can forget it. I don’t think she’s willing, and he can’t seem to close the deal,” Cara informed them with a defeated sigh.
“It’s not like you to give up so easily, my love. Have a little faith.”
“Easy for you to say. You haven’t been beating your head against the stone wall called Laurie Dixon for more than two weeks. She’s so fucking stubborn I’d like to spank her myself.”
“Language, Cara Mia,” Micah warned.
Cara flipped him off.
