My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys by Georgina Gentry

Author:Georgina Gentry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2012-02-06T00:00:00+00:00

Six

Isabelle dropped the broom she was using to clean the porch and ran out to greet the wagon that was pulling into the yard.

“Charlotte!” she screeched as the wagon rolled to a stop.

“Brought your trunks,” Charlotte said as she jumped down and gave Isabelle a quick embrace. “How’ve you and Luke been getting along?”

“Just fine.” Isabelle clamped her teeth together to keep from adding anything about the kiss they’d shared. The wondrous, magical, unforgettable, dangerous, not-to-be-repeated kiss. She turned away, pretending to examine the contents of the wagon bed so as to avoid Charlotte’s scrutiny. No doubt the other woman had noticed the sudden rush of heat to Isabelle’s cheeks.

“Isabelle?” Charlotte scowled. “He hasn’t treated you—”

“He’s been wonderful, Charlotte.” Isabelle put on her best party smile. The one that hid every real feeling she had. “He’s ever so patient with me.”

“Had some trouble with the cookin’, have you?”

“Besides nearly burning the house down and failing to make one edible meal, my cooking has been quite a success,” Isabelle said as she reached for a trunk.

“I’m sure it isn’t as bad as all that.” Charlotte grabbed one end, and the two of them lifted it together. “Burned the house down?”

“It was only smoke. I let grease drip into the fire.”

“I reckon I forgot to warn you about that problem.”

Isabelle fought an urge to beg Charlotte to take her back to the trading post. Staying out here alone with this man was going to be trouble. Not because she couldn’t cook. And not because she couldn’t trust him. It was her own desires she couldn’t trust. That was something she wasn’t willing to confess to her friend.

“I brought you somethin’ that might help.” Charlotte pulled a basket out from under the wagon seat. “Buttermilk and eggs.”

Isabelle hugged the basket to her as though it were filled with diamonds. “This is wonderful. But I haven’t any money—”

“Don’t worry.” Charlotte winked. “I’ve already added it to Luke’s bill. He’ll be eatin’ ’em after all.”

Isabelle shook her head. “You’re a very clever woman, you know that?”

“I’ve been told as much on many an occasion. My husband sometimes tells me I’m too smart.”

“Any news from him?”

Charlotte shook her head. Isabelle could imagine how difficult the waiting between letters was for her friend. Isabelle had lived for each letter from her father for the past ten years. A letter meant he was alive and well. And the fact he’d taken time to write meant he’d thought of her, cared about her. Still loved her. Someone loved her.

“I wish I could stay and visit,” Charlotte said. “I have to get back.”

“I understand.” Isabelle set her smile firmly in place again. “Thank you so much for coming.”

She watched Charlotte drive away until the wagon disappeared into a cloud of dust.

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