Starry Montana Sky by Debra Holland

Starry Montana Sky by Debra Holland

Author:Debra Holland
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Fiction, Historical, General
ISBN: 9781612184678
Publisher: AmazonEncore
Published: 2012-08-27T22:00:00+00:00


Jack pressed his knees against Brownie’s sides, urging the horse forward a few steps, to slacken the rope stretching from the pommel of his saddle across the water to Thompson. Between them, the river flowed by, slick and black, the current splashing over rocks. The fat moon overhead whitened the frothy bubbles, like lace on obsidian.

The lantern Thompson carried cast only a fuzzy illumination around the island, but it was enough for Jack to see the man take two strides and drop to his knees.

Christine.

Was the young ’un dead? He swallowed. The guilt wrapping around his spine ever since Thompson said she had disappeared tightened until he thought his bones might snap. He’d refused to have much to do with her. He weren’t that interested in little gals. She were Dan’s friend. Yet, from time to time, something about her spunkiness had caught his attention, and he’d joshed Tim when his brother had mentioned she were a pretty ’un.

They’d done wrong in keeping her visits secret. He knew that now. Never gave it no mind before—weren’t none of his business what Christine did. He preferred to let others go their own way, like he wished people would leave him alone. None of their damn business what he and Tim did. Too many do-gooders poking their noses in where they didn’t belong. He’d ignored the opportunity to be a do-gooder hisself with Christine, and now look where that had got ’em.

“She’s alive.” The man’s voice echoed across the water, hollow somehow, as though his daughter might be hurt bad or somethin’.

Remorse squeezed Jack’s ribs against his lungs.

Thompson straightened with Christine bundled in his arms. The big man mounted his horse and headed toward the water.

As the rope slackened, Jack backed Brownie, keeping the line taunt. He squinted through the moon-splashed darkness. Thompson had left his lantern on the island, and Jack had to strain to watch their progress while continuing to slowly back Brownie.

Frowning in concentration, he gritted his teeth, determined to maintain a steady watch. If Thompson’s horse went down, it was up to Jack to keep the man and Christine from being swept away.

In the river, Bill slipped.

“Back, Brownie, gal.” Dread sharpened Jack’s words; he softened his tone. “Back, now.”

Time slowed worse than when he had a bellyache from eating green apples, and his insides pushed and pulled with the movement of the horse fighting the powerful current.

Bill scrambled for purchase, then slipped again.

Jack’s heart thumped like a carpenter driving home nails.

The horse recovered its footing, and finally Thompson reached land. Jack released his breath in several deep pants. They’d made it.

Miz Samantha nudged her horse to meet them. Lifting her lantern high, she leaned over and touched Christine’s cheek. “She’s as cold as ice.” She handed over a blanket. “Wrap her in this.”

Thompson folded the blanket around the girl.

Miz Samantha draped a second around Thompson. “Let’s get her to my house. It’s closer.”

In the lantern light, he caught a glimpse of Christine’s face. Shock and fear cut into him.



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