Read My Heart Remembers for Free Online

life. “You needn’t be grabbin’ at me! I can stand on me own.”
    The man laughed and squeezed her arm. “Feisty, huh? Well, that’s good. Need a boy who’s got some fight in him.”
    His fingers bit into Maelle’s flesh, hurting her, but she couldn’t pull loose. She glared at Miss Esther, who stood to the side. “I won’t be goin’ nowhere without me brother. You can tell him so!”
    Miss Esther gave Watts an apologetic look. “Although arrangements had been made prior to our leaving New York for the youngest Gallagher child, I assured the proprietress of Good Shepherd the brothers would not be separated.”
    Maelle felt a small lift of hope at Miss Esther’s words. Mattie scooted out of the pew to stand beside her. He slipped his hand in hers and clung.
    “Well . . .” Watts scratched his whiskery chin with one hand while maintaining his hold on Maelle with the other. “As I told you, I’ve got a good business going with my photography equipment, but my home is a box wagon. It would be a might crowded with two boys. Don’t know as I can take both of them.”
    Miss Esther raised her chin. “I’m sorry, sir, but it’s both or neither.”
    Watts gave Maelle’s arm another squeeze. He worked his jaw back and forth as he looked at her. “Tall boy, seems to have some muscle in that arm. Appears to have some intelligence, too, even if he does talk like a mick. The kind of boy who could learn the trade.”
    Miss Esther nodded. “It would be good for Mattie, as well, to learn a trade.”
    Suddenly Watts released Maelle’s arm. She stumbled against Mattie. Rubbing her arm, she looked directly into the man’s face. “I ain’t goin’ without me brother. An’ that’s that.”
    The man threw back his head and released a laugh that echoed to the rafters. “That’s that, huh?” Still chuckling, he turned to Miss Esther. “All right, then, lady. I’ll take ’em both.”

C HAPTER F OUR
    T he man called Watts dragged Maelle toward the only remaining wagon in the churchyard. Mattie trailed behind, lugging their bag. Stopping in front of the wagon, Watts gestured proudly toward it with his hand.
    “Well, here you are, boy. Your new home.” It was a big box with some words painted on the side in dark green, square letters.
    “Drop the back hatch and climb in, but mind you don’t bump any of my equipment. We’ll hunt us up some lunch, then find a dry goods store and get you some gear. That suit’ll be fine for shoots, but you need some traveling clothes.” He pulled himself up on the high seat and picked up the reins.
    Maelle wasn’t sure what a back hatch was, so she and Mattie remained on the ground, peering upward.
    Watts scowled down at them for a moment, then shrugged.
    “Okay, then, follow me.” He slapped the reins onto the horses’ backs, and the animals trotted forward. Maelle grabbed the bag from Mattie and caught his hand. Together they dashed after the wagon. They came to a panting stop when Watts reined in next to a saloon.
    Watts hopped down from the high seat. “Well, at least I know you can run.” He didn’t apologize for making them trot behind the wagon like flea-ridden curs. Pointing toward the doors of the saloon, he said, “Let’s go.”
    But Maelle held back, clutching Mattie’s sweaty hand. “Me ma would not approve of us goin’ into a place where spirits is sold.”
    Watts glowered at her, his brows low, and for a moment she feared he would force her inside. But then he shrugged and straightened the lapels of his jacket. “Suit yourself. But it’ll be a long time to breakfast tomorrow.”
    In reply, Maelle sat on the edge of the boardwalk. Mattie sank down beside her. Without another word, Watts pushed the swinging doors to the saloon open, calling, “Get me a bowl of stew and biscuits.”
    Maelle’s stomach growled as she thought about Watts eating a bowl of hot, meaty stew. On the train, the children had been given cold sandwiches and tinned milk—filling,