Once a Rebel by Debbi Rawlins

Author:Debbi Rawlins [Rawlins, Debbi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Stolen From Time
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2009-04-01T23:00:00+00:00

11

“I CAN’T TAKE YOUR MONEY, Maggie. I won’t.” He firmly shook his head. “That’s all there is to it.”

She let out a groan of frustration when he refused to accept the coins, and then left her to go to the table. “I wish it could be more. I do. But it’s all I have.”He picked up his fork and stabbed the hunk of bacon as if he wanted to punish it. Then he forked a big bite into his mouth and chewed intently.

She followed him to the table. “Your money won’t be good in town. I’ve never seen the likes of it, and if I can’t recognize those odd coins, do you think anyone there will take them?”

He slowed down his chewing, and his brows drew together in a harried frown. “Let me worry about that.”

“Besides, trying to pass any of that off as legitimate money will only call attention to yourself.”

“It is legitimate. It’s just that—never mind.” He took another angry bite.

“I’m just trying to help.”

“You’re low on sugar, coffee and flour. I suggest you use whatever you have in your hand to replenish your supplies. Bad enough you’re sharing what you have with me.” He stopped eating and stared at his plate, his mouth pulled into a grim line. “If you really wanna help, worry about yourself. You don’t know when your sister will show up.”

She sighed when she realized she’d hurt his pride. Should she tell him about the gold? She wouldn’t have to tell him everything. Certainly not about how much she had stashed away. Or where Pa had found it.

“Then don’t go into town at all. As I said, let me ask your questions for you,” she said finally. “I know quite a few people. I could ask around at the general store. Even Mr. Carlson who sorts the mail seems to know everything that goes on. And Mr. Sherman at the barber shop. He’s always been nice to me and says hello when I see him outside sweeping….”

One side of his mouth went up. “And if the trail leads you to the saloon? Or one of the whorehouses?”

She silently cursed the heat that climbed her neck. His observation hadn’t been meant unkindly, but he had a point.

“You’re the one who said I’m brave,” she muttered. “If that’s where the answers lead me, then…” She swallowed. “So be it.”

He reached across the table and covered her hand with his much larger one. “You are brave, and I thank you for making the offer.” He lapsed into silence, staring at her for a long thoughtful moment. “If it’s okay with you, after I’m done in town, maybe I could come back here for another night.”

Her heart leaped.

“It’s been a while, but I used to be a pretty good hunter. Maybe I could catch some meat to help stretch your rations until your sister gets here.”

“Oh. My goodness, I almost forgot about the jerked venison Pa stored with—” She caught herself just in time. “Some dried fruit and nuts.

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