Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“How are they treating you?”
She pulled out a mixing bowl for biscuits and as she started on the meal, she told her brother in more detail than she’d shared last night. Almost everything from Bill’s injury to why she was riding Polaris. She even mentioned the arrow slice from the Indians.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” The worry thick in his tone.
“Hank did a good job,” she replied. Kneading the dough in her mama’s spotless kitchen, she worried her lower lip. “When will you be ready?”
“Can you handle another month?”
Ignoring the brief pain in her heart at the idea of not seeing Cy again, she nodded. “Of course. I’ll come home next payday and we can switch back.”
“Thank you, Becca.” He paused. “You know Anson has been by looking for you.”
She groaned. “What did you tell him?”
“You took Polaris to visit your Indian friend. And would be back later.”
“And he believed you?”
“He’s come by a few times since. At least until Mama answered the door.”
Rebecca smiled. “She’s never liked him very much. Calls him shifty.”
“Anyway it’s fall and he knows when you go see her.”
“She has a name you know.”
He grumbled but didn’t dispute her. She covered the bowl and got to work on the rest of the meal. While it cooked in the oven, she went out to their barn to feed the animals, her brother beside her on crutches.
“Have we heard from Papa?”
“Nothing. Not even by post.”
She was worried but didn’t speak on it. Robert fed the chickens while she fed and milked the cows. Once finished with the chores, she carried the pails back to the house.
“What do you think of Cyrus?”
Good Lord, she almost dropped the buckets. Blowing out a deep breath, she shrugged. “He’s fair. Seems kind of young to be running a station.”
“He was a soldier. Got injured so he couldn’t serve anymore.”
“What happened to him?”
Robert glanced at her and she gave him an innocent look. They walked in and as soon as she set the pails down, he grabbed her wrist.
“What?”
“Are you kidding me?”
She had a sinking feeling he’d just figured it out. Still she had to try. “Kidding about what?”
“He’s a Southern white man.”
“What does that have to do with how he got injured?” Damn her twin for knowing her so well.
“Don’t try to fool me. You like him?”
“I don’t dislike him.” Would her answer work?
“You can’t be staring at him like a lovesick child.” His voice was low and angry.
She whirled on him. “Do you think I would be so stupid as to give myself away? I made the decision to fill in for you to help this family! I wouldn’t mess that up because one man doesn’t scratch himself, pass gas, or belch in front of me. And shame on you for thinking I would.”
Biting back her rising frustration, she thrust a bowl of potatoes at him along with a knife. He got the hint and left her alone. She squeezed her eyes shut and struggled to forget about Cy Spencer. It hadn’t worked so far and didn’t this time either.
Her relationship with Cy was more than a few passing interludes of passionate sex. On the nights she cooked, they’d talked. Gotten to know one another. She liked him. She respected him.
It’s more than that, her subconscious volunteered. You’ve fallen in love with him.
Could that be? She shook her head. Surely not. Just a bit more attachment because he’d taken her virginity.
Do you really believe that? Her brain asked, seconded by her heart.
Didn’t matter. She had a month left with him. That was all.
She worked in silence despite her brother’s attempts to talk more. That night Cy filled her dreams. They went on picnics, made love along sparkling streams, and spent their nights in each other’s arms.
The rooster woke her and she dressed quickly, drawing on her buckskins, which would keep her warmer than her other pants. She also dug out her fur-lined moccasins. Once bound and dressed, she slipped from her room and made her way to the door.
Stepping outside, she inhaled the cold crisp air and paused at the whicker near the house.
“I thought you would be up early to leave.” Her mama spoke from the left.
“Thank you, Mama.”
“There are some biscuits and jerky in there for you. As well as a surprise. You take care now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her mama enveloped her in a hug, before Rebecca moved to her ride and swung up. Although it was dark, she tugged on the brim of her hat prior to riding off. She ate the ham biscuits on her way and allowed Polaris to pick his own pace.
She arrived at the station the following afternoon. The men were outside the bunkhouse, cutting hair when she rode in. Cy was off by the stable, repairing some fence. He looked up when she rode by. She barely glanced at him and dismounted.