Rocky Mountain Rendezvous by Misty M. Beller

Author:Misty M. Beller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance;FIC042110;FIC042030;FIC027360
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2023-03-30T00:00:00+00:00

Seventeen

Juniper kept her gaze trained on the supply wagons she and Rosemary were approaching. A lot of the trappers must be among those lining the raceway, but enough sat around the cook fires in camp that she and Rosie had to be careful as they made their way between the lodges.

Occasionally, slurred voices rose above those around them. She’d never seen so many intoxicated men in one place, except for in a saloon. Of course, she hadn’t actually been in any saloons, but she’d glimpsed the crowds inside through the windows.

None of the men here at the rendezvous had physically accosted them, thank the Lord, but enough drunken voices called out questions and offers as they passed to keep her nerves dancing. What a difference it made to have Riley walk with them. The trappers had stopped bothering them at all when he accompanied, which was why she hadn’t expected as much this time either.

A few even mentioned him when making their offer. “Your feller finally decided to share with the rest of us?” and “How did you sneak out without your guard, sweethearts? Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”

They finally reached the row of wagons and easily spotted Mr. Provost standing at the rear of the second one. He was riffling through the contents, but as they approached, he straightened and turned to them with the smile she’d learned to trust on their journey here.

“Good morning, ladies. What a pleasant surprise. I haven’t seen much of you since we arrived.” His mouth tightened with that last bit, probably as he remembered the shocking news he’d delivered to them that first day.

“Good morning.” Rosie made a show of scanning the first few wagons. “It looks like your supplies are almost gone.”

He nodded and glanced down the row. “The trading’s progressed faster than we expected. More men here than usual. This is definitely the biggest rendezvous so far.” He turned his focus to them. “I was going to come by and tell you we’re hoping to finish up today or tomorrow at the latest. We’ll be leaving two days from now, early in the morning.” His eyes searched them. “Have you found your father’s friend?”

They hadn’t told him much about their mission, only that they’d come to find someone their father once knew. They hadn’t given Mr. Provost the details because he wasn’t from this area. He was part of the eastern branch of the partnership who organized the supplies for the rendezvous, and he also managed the wagons traveling West.

Rosie stayed quiet, and she didn’t look Juniper’s direction, so it was impossible to read her thoughts. In fact, it seemed like she wouldn’t answer at all. Was she expecting Juniper to? Rosie always did the talking for them.

Juniper moved forward so she could nudge her sister’s arm, but Rosie finally spoke. “We haven’t found her. We’d hoped to have a few more days before starting back.”

Mr. Provost’s brows raised. “It’s a her?”

Rosie still wasn’t looking at Juniper, so she couldn’t signal with her eyes.

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