Undeniable by Laura Stapleton

Author:Laura Stapleton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, historical fiction romance, romance 1800s, romance historical western, western and frontier fiction
Publisher: Laura Stapleton

The next morning, while doing both sets of chores, she saw Daggart helping the Chatillon’s with their large tent. She snorted, her sympathy for him evaporating. Of course he helped them. Amelia resembled Lizzy so much, Daggart had to play gentleman to her. Let him play the hero to her, she quietly seethed, but only after he did his own work.

While getting water for their coffee, Beth overheard someone say buffalo were nearby. Plans for a hunt were in progress, and they’d start traveling in the herd’s direction soon. She cut her eyes at Daggart. He’d go hunting for fresh meat if it meant impressing Amelia. First, she needed to convince him that being manly in front of her by hunting was a good idea.

Strolling up to him with his gun, Beth smiled at Daggart. “Did you know? The men have seen buffalo over the next ridge and are going hunting late this morning. Only the best shots and strongest are going, so I’m assuming that includes you?”

He glanced at Amelia and winked at Beth. “Sure am, Lizzy. I’ll bring back the biggest, and we’ll share with the Chatillons.”

She smiled and looked modestly at the ground. “Good, I’ll make sure everything is ready for traveling this morning while you go with the men.”

Her husband tipped his hat, and gun in hand, swaggered off to the group of hunters. When he was out of earshot, Amelia asked her, “Have you seen Nicholas and Mr. Claude today?”

“Not today, but it’s early yet,” Beth replied, forcing a smile.

“Hm.” The girl put hands to hips, exasperated. “Too bad, because I wanted to chat with Nicholas before we started today.”

Their first name familiarity grated on Beth’s nerves. She bit back a sharp retort. “Should I tell Mr. Granville you are looking for him if I see him this morning?”

Amelia blushed. “No, please don’t. I would rather ask Nicholas myself.”

“Very well, I’ll keep mum,” she said. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to finish.” Beth went back to their wagon. She tried to ignore the lingering envy over the other girl’s calling Nicholas by his given name. It was such a little thing, but she wanted to be as open with her affections as Amelia could be toward him.

Despite her best efforts, Beth’s musings stayed on Nicholas and Amelia the entire day. The trail went on forever, as did the land. Rock bluffs ran low alongside the river’s bottoms, the sandy soil in between the cliffs had been worn flat by the Platte’s flow. She’d heard news about Daggart hunting a buffalo and how he’d stayed behind rendering the kills. The men, loaded down, caught up to the wagon circle at dusk. Everyone had already settled in, their chores done, and ready to cook and dry the fresh meat.

Daggart was in the best mood she’d seen in years. He chatted about the hunt, the other men, how the Chatillons appreciated him sharing with them. “We have more than enough for us. It’s the right thing to do, since Miss Amelia’s father is lame.

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