Christmas Spirit (Cutter's Creek Book 12) by Boone Annie & Creek Cutter's

Author:Boone, Annie & Creek, Cutter's [Boone, Annie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-10-26T16:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Josh pulled his horse’s reins, pulling the animal to a stop. Horror and then fear crashed hard against his ribs. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Several cows on the outside of the herd lay on the ground, not moving. He slipped from the horse, his feet hitting hard against the ground. He rushed to the fence, and with one swift motion jumped over it.

The animals lay around the area, all only a few feet from each other. A swarm of flies flew around them as their black eyes stared at him lifelessly. He counted six. He bent over with his hands on his knees. He wasn’t sure if he was going to cry or scream. He would probably do both when it all hit him completely.

He couldn’t afford this. If these had died, how much longer until the rest joined them? He ran his hands through his hair. There just wasn't enough grass to feed them all. It had been too dry this summer and he hadn’t been able to harvest enough hay for the winter. Now his herd would starve and as far as he knew, there was nothing he could do. Nothing.

He stared at the dry ground, where only a few patches of grass remained. He ought to just shoot them all, burn their bodies, and find something else to do. He tried to push those bitter thoughts out of his mind, but for now, he couldn’t make them go away.

But what about his family? How would they support themselves? And how would he ever provide for Felicity? The truth was, he probably wouldn’t be able to. If all he had to think about was himself, this probably wouldn’t be so hard on him. But that wasn’t the case. There was more than his own welfare to consider.

He had just given Felicity hope for a future together. He’d be a scoundrel to end things now, especially since she’d plainly said she didn’t care if they were wealthy or poor. But she probably hadn’t realized he might be able to give her his hand, but the promise of a home may not be there anymore.

Nick came up behind him. Josh was startled that he’d been so lost in thought he didn’t even hear his friend ride up. Josh turned, shaking his head.

“Thought I’d come out and check on things. I heard in town that the Simpson ranch lost more this week.”

“Really? I hadn’t heard about them, but I guess all the ranchers around these parts are finding dead livestock. Mr. Miller said he lost ten last week, too. I guess I was a fool to think I might make it through this. I can’t survive. I just can’t.”

“Many won’t be able to.”

“And to make it a million times worse, I decided I’m going to ask Felicity to marry me.”

His friend’s mouth dropped open, his eyes widening. He was about to speak, but Josh cut him off.

“But now I can’t.”

“Josh, don’t be so hasty. I know there’s something you can do.

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