Till My Last Breath by Deborah Swenson

Author:Deborah Swenson [Coleman, Derek]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: -
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2020-10-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Emily

It felt as though my kidneys were being jostled up into my throat as the wagon descended the hill. Oh! What I wouldn’t give right now for my SUV. Bouncing from side to side, I could only imagine what Caleb was feeling. Holding firm, I tried to keep his head from rolling back and forth in my lap. His fever raged, and he drifted in and out of consciousness during the tortuous journey.

Approaching the town, my head was on a swivel trying to take in everything around me. Nothing looked familiar. Forgetting my surroundings, I again focused on Caleb. The sooner we got him to the clinic, the sooner I’d be able to search for my grandfather.

After what seemed like hours of grueling travel, the wagon finally made it to the edge of town. I was stunned to see the scene before me. Men on horseback, dressed like Caleb and the sheriff, rode by on their stately mounts. Women strolled along the boardwalks wearing long calico dresses, their hair pulled back in tight buns covered with bonnets. Looking down, I realized I had on the same type of dress, but in much worse condition. And, my hair hung free in a tangled mess.

Unconsciously, I tried pressing the wrinkles out of my dress with the palms of my hands. The women who stared at me, held their hands over their mouths while whispering to each other. I had always been so meticulous with my presentation. Now, for the first time in my life, I felt uncomfortable. Turning my head from their direction to hide my embarrassment, I looked down at the grime that covered my hands and clothing. If they only knew what I’d been through in the past few weeks, their first impression of me might change.

My curiosity won out. Holding my head high, I gazed from one side of the street to the other, taking in everything before me. To heck with their stares. I had a right to be here.

The town looked as if it had been here for more years than I could imagine. Down the street, I noticed the jail, a laundry, the barbershop, stables, saloon, and hotel. Oh, thank heavens, a hotel. I can finally soak in a hot bath and wash my hair.

The wagon slowed, and I noticed a stunningly attractive young woman standing in front of the saloon. It was late afternoon, and she was dressed in a form-fitting pale yellow calico, not what I expected of saloon attire. Looking up, she was smiling demurely, but not at me. Following the direction of her gaze, she was looking at the figure of Sheriff Johansson sitting astride his horse. Back straight, with a staid expression on his face, not once did he glance in her direction.

What caught my attention was the way her clothes fit snuggly across her midriff. Silly man. I knew that look of longing in her eyes, and my heart ached for her since it was apparent the sheriff paid her no consideration.

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