Kat Tales — Volume 13—March 2021 —Original Stories and Novels by Kathryn Kaleigh

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

Chapter 20

It was past supper time.

The sun set early up here in the mountains. And as the sun dropped below the mountain tops, the temperature dropped as well.

The scent of wood smoke beckoned from the saloon with a promise of warmth and good hot biscuits. Maybe even a slice of ham.

Most of the men had gone inside to get a whiskey or a meal or both so the streets were clear.

Jared liked it like this. When everything was calm.

They’d had some upheaval with both Samantha and Natalie. Jared hoped that Allyson’s arrival in Whiskey Springs was more peaceful.

He’d almost forgotten about the man who’d escorted her inside the saloon earlier.

“That man you were with,” he asked as they crossed the street, “Is he your husband?”

Allyson looked confused. Perhaps she’d talked to several men today.

“He’s talking about Albert,” Thomas said.

“No,” she said, wrinkling her nose just a little, but enough that he saw it. “Of course not.”

“He seemed um…” Jared looked around. Just to make sure Albert wasn’t lurking nearby. “Possessive.”

“He was,” Allyson said, also looking around. “Helpful out on the trail.”

“Has he hurt you?” Jared asked, leaning close.

“No, of course not,” she said quickly.

But she increased the space between them, walking closer to Thomas.

Jared didn’t like it.

He didn’t have any right to not like it, but he didn’t like it.

In his experience, a man who led a woman around by the elbow like that had something more in mind than just being helpful.

Doc had noticed it, too. He’d mentioned that she’d darted away from him upstairs.

There was something not quite right.

But all Jared could do right now was to keep his eyes open and stay alert.

They stepped inside the saloon, noisy with men talking and laughing.

“Come on back to the kitchen,” Jared said, leading Allyson and Thomas back to the relative quietness of the back room.

Doc was back there, looking fairly miserable. As far as Jared knew, this was the first time Doc and Natalie had spent the night apart since their wedding last spring.

“Doc,” Jared said. “this is Natalie’s younger sister Allyson and their brother Thomas.”

“I can see the resemblance,” Doc said. “It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.”

Samantha and Thomas sat at the table and Toby brought them plates piled with food.

Jared was pleased to see that Allyson had a healthy appetite.

“What do you have on tap for tomorrow?” Doc asked Jared.

“Gonna get the men started on your house while we can,” Jared said.

“If you need any help,” Allyson asked. “Thomas and I can work.”

“Maybe in a couple of days,” Jared said. “But you two need to rest. You just got here.”

“He’s right,” Doc said. “There’s a lot to do to get ready for winter.”

“Does it snow here?” Thomas asked, grabbing another biscuit off the platter.

Doc and Jared looked at each other. Then they burst into laughter.

“What?” Thomas said. “I’ve never seen snow.”

“Never?” Jared asked, biting his lip to stop laughing.

“No.” Thomas shook his head.

“You’re in for quite an experience,” Doc said, then sobered. “But you have to promise me something.

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