Black Hills Song by Kari Trumbo

Author:Kari Trumbo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inked in Faith Publications LLC

CHAPTER THIRTY

Debra held tight to the side of the seat as Sam drove to the edge of Rapid City, then up into the low-slung mountains just on the other side. By the time they passed the city enough that Debra couldn’t see it, the sky had already darkened to a deep blue and the first pinpricks of stars appeared.

Sam had been quiet, just nudging the horse along as much as he dared. The animal seemed contrary to the idea of pulling any faster than a walking pace. The whole day kept rolling around in her head, and her thoughts threatened to spill. Sam could’ve held many things against her. She’d treated him like the wealthy patrons of the theater had always treated her, and she’d been offended by his proposal. He could’ve held that against her, but he hadn’t. “Why did you continue to try to be friendly to me…when I didn’t deserve it?”

He sat there for a moment, letting the scenery go by. When he finally answered, it was slow and deliberate, like he’d taken the time to think on each word.

“Remember when I told you I didn’t treat you like a sheep? Well, that’s not completely true, I’m afraid. I did have a sheep once who was mighty hurt, and Zeke gave me the task of helping her get back into the fold. When you hung your head that day—the day I so stupidly treated a proposal as something flippant—it reminded me of that ewe. It reminded me that sometimes we get hurt, and it makes us act like we wouldn’t normally.” He shrugged. “I knew if we all kept trying, you’d join the flock again.”

“I still think that many people take advantage, but I don’t think you do. I’m sorry for treating you and your family like that.” Oddly, the act of telling him how sorry she was made her feel more important, not less. She had value because her apology mattered to him.

“Now if we could just get Caleb to see the light of day, not that it will matter much. The theater is all but slipping through my fingers.”

A sick heaviness pooled in her stomach. “What do you mean? I thought all that had to happen was that you had to marry?” Not that marriage was a small task, but Sam was one of the few men who seemed capable of kindness and should therefore be able to find a companion.

“Lottie gave me a letter while we were visiting today. I had intentionally mailed it from home, not from Rapid City, but that’s where the return letter was sent. I submitted a new application and asked them to rush as my last bride would not commit.”

“That was Clara? The one you were speaking of during dinner a few days ago. Mr. Piedmont sent lies to the registry about you.”

He nodded and frowned. “Yes, well, apparently he was quite thorough about who he sent those letters to. This other mail-order bride registry had heard of me and wanted nothing to do with my application.

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