CHARITY'S GOLD RUSH (A Strike It Rich in Montana novel) by Hickey Cynthia

Author:Hickey, Cynthia [Hickey, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-06-19T21:00:00+00:00

18

Charity rolled her glass between her hands, barely listening to the excited chattering of the children as they relayed to Gabriel all the good things available at the mercantile, and how the packages had stacked up on the counter. Instead, her mind raced with the implications Amos had spoken of.

Finding out he was a blood relation to the children could change everything if something happened to Gabriel. Somehow, Charity had to keep her husband safe. Not only for the children’s sakes, but for hers. She didn’t want to lose any of them. In a few short months, they had become her family and filled some empty spots in her heart.

She studied the line of Gabriel’s strong jaw and the width of his shoulders as he laughed at something Sam said. Gabriel still held himself a little stiff as if his stitches pulled, but otherwise, no one would be able to tell a bullet cut a crease in his side. He’d recovered quickly and nicely, laying Charity’s and the children’s fears to rest. At least for now.

The waitress brought their meals of stew and biscuits, then retreated to wait on other customers. The tantalizing aroma of meat broth teased Charity’s stomach. She dipped her spoon into it and pulled her gaze away from Gabe’s chiseled face.

The sun set behind the mountains. Gas lights flickered on inside the restaurant. Charity didn’t want to be anywhere but where she was—sitting across from a handsome man she called husband and watching the lamplight flicker in his eyes when he glanced at her.

How much did she really want, or need, gold? With winter fast approaching, her chances of actually striking it rich were diminishing by the day. But if not gold, what else did she have of value to offer Gabriel to entice him to let her stay? If he sent her away, she would definitely need riches in order to survive, or go back to doing laundry. Only the former appealed to her.

“You seem deep in thought this evening.” Gabriel smiled at her over the rim of his glass.

“Just thinking of the shopping I did today.” Charity gripped her spoon tighter to keep her hands from shaking. She had never been a good liar. “The children enjoyed themselves so much picking out Christmas presents.”

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

Oh, how easily the falsehoods leaped to her tongue. “Very much.” She didn’t dare tell him about Amos accosting her. There would be no telling how Gabriel would react.

She forced an answering smile. “Did you accomplish everything you wished to?”

“Mostly. I’ll need to stop at the mercantile myself in the morning. The livery should have the feed loaded early enough we can be home by supper.”

“That will be wonderful.” Charity bit into a piece of venison soaked in stew juices. She tasted onions and pepper and made a mental note to add some to her own pot when she cooked. Home by supper. It really did sound wonderful, although the thought of being cooped up in a sod house for months wasn’t any more appealing than it had been a month ago.

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