Laney: Prairie Roses Collection 14 by McDonough Vickie

Author:McDonough, Vickie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Maverick Press
Published: 2022-04-24T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Ethan strode past the barracks and turned toward the officers’ housing, angrier than he’d been in a long while. He wanted to be alone, but he needed to see if he could buy replacement bonnets. Duty came first. He searched for the trading post, marched toward it, then stomped inside. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim interior. The bearded man behind the counter was helping a couple he recognized from the wagon train. Several other women perused the shop. He found the coffee and took two five-pound bags to the counter.

The bearded man moved his way after the couple left. “How can I help you?”

“Got any wagon bonnets? And I’ll take three pounds of that cheese you’ve got over there.” He pointed to a shelf behind the counter where a rounded glass top covered a platter of cheese.

The man scratched his beard. “I got a mess of wagons over by my house. You’re welcome to look through them. I know a couple got bonnets.” He eyed Ethan. “Course, I’d have to have a good price for them since losing them will lower the value of the wagons.”

“Let me go take a look at them. Can you set back this coffee and the cheese? I’ll return shortly.” He needed those bonnets. He couldn’t afford for the leather and new tack to get any wetter than it already was. He could use part of the top from Chase’s wagon to repair the bonnet on his, but Keri’s needed to be replaced since hers held most of their food supplies. He’d have to pay whatever the price was.

The man nodded and gave Ethan directions. In a few minutes, he located the stash of wagons. Most were broken down, as parts were always needed by travelers. Two wagons had decent bonnets, so he whipped his knife from the sheath and began removing the first one.

His thoughts veered back to what Keri had told him—Lane was a girl. No wonder he—she—was so small—almost delicate. How had she managed to do the work of a man—and do it well? He pursed his lips together. It didn’t matter because he could not tolerate a person who told lies. What else had she lied about? No matter how much Keri fussed about it, Lane would have to stay here. As soon as the thought entered his mind, his gut twisted. Lane had been abused. Treated abominably. What kind of a father hurts his daughter? A low-down skunk of a man. A yellow-belly snake, that’s what. Would he be the same if he left her behind? He yanked the bonnet free and dropped it to the ground. He jumped down and folded the oil cloth in half twice then rolled it up. After he retrieved the second one, he returned to the store. There were even more people shopping than before.

A tall, wide-built man he recognized from the wagon train blocked his path. “How much you want for them skins?”

Ethan shook his head.

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