Falling for Allyson by Kathryn Kaleigh

Author:Kathryn Kaleigh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: KST Publishing

CHAPTER 39

Three days later

They said winter would be here soon.

In Allyson’s book, if this wasn’t winter, she didn’t know what was.

The aspen trees had burst out in yellows and golds. When the wind blew, which was almost all the time, they fell like rain.

There were aspen leaves on the trees and on the ground. There seemed to be an endless supply of them.

Allyson plucked one of the leaves out of her hair and pulled her shawl closer.

The brisk cold weather made her feel alive.

It had snowed in the high country, leaving the mountains capped in white.

She and Samantha and Natalie were out behind the saloon. They had a roaring fire going with a big kettle of water heating over it.

Brantley had hauled their clothes out back. Samantha brought a washtub and Natalie brought the washboard.

Allyson had brought the soap.

Right now they had a tub of steaming water with plenty of soap suds.

Natalie washed one of their dresses using the washboard in the soapy tub.

She had a pretty glow on her cheeks.

Samantha helped her rinse and wring the dress, then they hung it on the line.

Allyson grabbed another dress and dunked it into the tub of soapy water.

She took her time, enjoying the warmth of the water. Listening to the easy chatter of the two women.

“What’s it like,” Samantha asked Natalie, “being married?”

Natalie bit her lip, using a clothes pin to secure the dress to the line.

“It’s nothing like I expected,” she said, smoothing the dress so it could dry in the sun.

Allyson glanced up at Samantha.

Samantha looked toward Allyson, her eyes wide.

Natalie and Doc Alexander seemed so…compatible. And happy.

She braced herself to hear that marriage was a hardship.

Then Natalie turned and swept her hands in front of her.

“It’s absolutely delightful,” she said, clasping her hands together.

“Is it really?” Samantha asked with a glance at Allyson.

“Of course, it is,” she said. “In fact,” and put a hand on her heart. “I highly recommend it.”

Samantha laughed. “I thought as much,” she said. “I’m thinking about getting married myself.”

Natalie grinned at her. “You mean you’re finally going to do it?”

“Maybe,” Samantha said, dropping to her knees to help Allyson wash the dress.

Natalie came to stand in front of her.

“He did ask you, didn’t he?” she asked.

“Well, yes…” she said. “Back during the war. I think it was 1864.”

“Well, then, when are you going to do it?” Natalie asked. “Once winter hits, it’ll be impossible to get a preacher in here for months."

“I know,” Samantha said, moving the dress into a tub of clean water. “We were waiting for Allyson and Thomas.”

“We’re here now,” Allyson said.

“Where is Brantley anyway?” Natalie asked. “I haven’t seen him lately.”

“He went into Boulder City,” Samantha said. “Something about picking up some things before the first snowfall.”

Natalie’s brow creased. “I didn’t know anyone traveled this time of year.” She looked up toward the mountain peaks. “A snow storm could happen at any time.”

Samantha and Allyson tossed the dress over the line. “He’ll be alright” Samantha said. “He’s learned how to read the weather pretty good.

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