Mail Order Brides of Band of Sister Outlaws (A Western Romance Book)

Chapter 05

Edward was waiting for Anne when she arrived home. He had put Clara to bed and packed a small bag for both her and Anne, not embarrassed by the tears he shed as he did so. He loved Clara like she was truly his own and wished he could keep her, but he knew that even with Anne's faults, it would not be right to separate a mother from her child.

When Anne arrived home, he stood up and inquired how her mother was. Had they arrived at a plan?

"My mother is fine, thank you for asking. She likes you very much. I believe a plan is forthcoming."

"Not your sisters, though," Edward said. "They don't like me."

Anne hesitated. "No, not them. They were still arguing over whether or not to kill Joseph when I left." She waited to see what, if anything, Edward might say to her. When he said nothing, she mistook his silence for forgiveness, or at least the possibility of it.

"Oh, Edward," she said, thrusting her arms around him and taking him completely by surprise. "I am so sorry for the lies I told you. Truly I am. If only you can find it in your heart to love me still, I swear to you I will never lie to you again."

It was then she noticed the bags by the door. She pulled away from Edward, searching his face for some understanding of what was meant by that.

"Oh," she finally said, seeing the look in his eyes. "You wish me to leave. So soon? But I thought you said I might stay until I found somewhere to go."

"That was before I knew your family was so nearby," he said.

"I see." Anne had been feeling the agony of guilt since her arrival in Sherburn; now she felt the rush of anger.

"So, it is alright for you to lie to me, but when I lie to you I have not even the chance to explain myself?"

"I never lied to you," Edward said, his own anger rising. "It is not my fault that you failed to tell me several key pieces of information about yourself."

"I only wanted a better life for Clara."

"Then you should have thought of that before you became a thief!"

"I am not a thief!" Anne cried, though in her heart she knew that was not true. "I mean, not anymore. It was not a lifestyle I chose for myself, Edward, you must believe that. It was forced upon me and my family by circumstance."

"And what of your lies to me? Your casual deception? Was that circumstance as well?"

"Edward, I love you! Can't you at least let me ex—"

"NO!" Edward said, striking his hand against a table. "I will entertain no more of your lies. Leave now, or I shall arrest you myself, in the name of the Sherburn City sheriff's department."

Anne's face dropped. Her shoulders slumped. Defeat settled upon her, and with it, the loss of Edward's love. Clara cried from her bedroom, and Anne went to her, scooping her into her arms. Tears rushed over her face as she carried Clara to the front door.

"You may keep the buggy I purchased for Clara," he told her. He refused to submit himself to the hard lump rising in his throat.

"Thanks," Anne said, "but I wouldn't want you to say I stole it later."

She closed the front door behind her as she walked out of Edward's life, for what he thought was the last time.

* * *

Anne walked down the street carrying Clara in one arm and their suitcase in her other. It was getting dark outside, and if Anne wanted to reach her family's camp, she would have to hurry. Although she stepped quickly and with purpose, she could not escape the feeling that she was making a huge mistake.