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)
“When your horse returned, I took the delivery.”
“But you don’t like me.”
She stored her stuff and answered honestly. “You have more of a problem with me than I do you. Did you want me to leave you here?”
“No. No.”
In silence, she helped him up onto her horse. She walked around to give herself a bit of extra time. With him sitting so close would he notice she wasn’t who she claimed to be? Didn’t matter, she still couldn’t—and wouldn’t—leave him.
Please. She sent up the one word plea to the good Lord as she mounted. Behind her, Bill sat stiffly.
“Hold on and let me know if you need me to stop.” The moment she felt him grab back for the cantle, she got Polaris back on his way. Once he settled into his gait, she breathed a bit easier. Thankfully, even with the two of them, they didn’t weigh a whole heck of a lot. They didn’t talk and when they stopped, she made sure there was some coverage to hide behind while she relieved herself.
Darkness loomed when she rode into the station.
“I need a doctor!” she cried.
Lights came on and the door opened. The man standing there with a lantern in his hand was a behemoth. Sandy hair stuck out in spikes around his head. His other hand gripped a shotgun.
“What goes on?”
“I’ve got a wounded man and the dispatch.”
He hurried down to stare at her. Then his gaze drifted from her to the trembling man behind her.
“Bill?” He closed the rest of the distance, as did the others with him. “Get him down and inside.”
She stiffened when men surrounded her. Polaris crow-hopped a bit and she soothed him with a touch. Once Bill was clear, she reached down, removed the delivery, and handed it to the station master.
“Gotta name?” the large man asked after he hollered for the next rider.
“Robert.”
“Come on in, Robert. Bet you could use some hot food.”
“Yes sir. I just need to see to my horse. We only had a short break before setting out again.” Shut up! He doesn’t need to think I’m complaining. She shrugged to hide her embarrassment. “I’ll see to my horse.”
At his nod, she turned a weary Polaris to the stable passing the next rider on his way to start the next leg. She took her time unsaddling Polaris. God, she ached. Every inch of her was sore and stinky. The odor reaching her nose wasn’t pleasant in any form. Her arms shook as she brushed him down and checked him over. She left him with grain and a bucket of water before trudging out with her rifle in one hand and saddlebags over her right shoulder.
There was so much dirt and grit on her eyes she was amazed they were open. She had newfound respect for these riders. With a sigh, she pushed into the station.
“Set yer stuff down n’ help yerself to some food there.” This man was the opposite of Cyrus, small where he was large. Skinny in a wiry sense.
She released her items and picked up a plate. Soon she was seated and eagerly eating some warm and hearty food.
“Name’s Joseph. We thought we’d lost a delivery. You amazed a lot of us when you rode in with Bill. What happened?” He took a seat at the table, gnarled fingers curved around the chipped mug.
Shaking her head she swallowed her current bite. “Not sure. His horse came back without him, injured and blood on the saddle.” She shoveled in more food. “No one else volunteered so I took it.” A drink of water washed down the cornbread. Not as good as mama’s but considering the growling in her belly it would suffice just fine. “Followed some buzzards and found him.”
“We’ve got room for you so grab a bunk and get some shut eye. I know you need to go back.” He stood. “I’m sending another request for better protection. All over the territories, Indian attacks have increased. Leave your plate and don’t worry, I’ll turn out your horse.”
She did as instructed and found herself soon entering where the riders slept. Four men were in there and they all looked at her with a mix of uncertainty and amazement.
“Nice ride.”
“Thanks.” Good thing she was so tired, her voice was deeper anyway, and she could barely pick up her feet so they dragged.
Even so, it was still hard not to stare. Two men were shirtless and two in their underwear. It wasn’t that they were so handsome she had a hard time not looking, no, men had horrible habits when in groups, and they were no different. These men had nothing to hold her attention. She wanted to feel safe in a man’s embrace. Not wonder if she were stronger than him.
She took a far cot and sat wearily on it. A bath would be so nice yet sleep even better. With her last bit of energy, she undid her bedroll and closed her eyes after climbing in, willingly embracing the sleep, which descended upon her.