Vestige of Hope by Sara Blackard

Author:Sara Blackard [Blackard, Sara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sara Blackard

Linc seethed just as vehemently a week and a half after being chased from Viola’s side as the day it happened. In fact, if he thought about it, he was even angrier now than he was then. That man, with his smooth words and hands all over Viola, would pay.

William moaned in the saddle behind him. Linc sent a scathing glance his way. His brother was still black and blue and probably had some broken ribs from where Linc had beaten him the week before. He deserved it, acting like the spineless chicken he was in front of that stranger cozying up to Viola. If William had been the fearless Sweeney he should be, if he’d shown some solidarity, that man may have backed down. Linc had let the rage loose on William, and he still wished, at times, that Robert had gone ahead and let him beat his weakling brother to death.

Smoke drifted above the trees up ahead. Linc turned to his brothers. “Let’s go see who it is. Might be Orlando.”

He turned back around, not waiting for a response, and headed to the camp ahead. When they got close, he pushed down the rage and put on the cordial face that tricked folks into talking. It was growing harder and harder to do, though, with the rage building constantly inside him since seeing Viola’s new beau. But he forced the anger deep down. He had a part to play and things to get done.

“Hello, camp,” Linc hollered when they got close.

“Hello, yourself,” a friendly, booming voice answered. “Come on up to the fire, friend.”

As they cleared the trees into the camp, Linc inwardly groaned. It was the simpleton called Jack. Though Linc knew he wasn’t really a simpleton, the man’s incessant talking always got on his nerves.

Jack motioned toward the fire with the mug he had in his hand. “Come, join me. The grub’s just getting done, and I’d sure enjoy the company.”

Linc swung from his horse, tied him to a tree, and followed his brothers to the campfire. Sure enough, the old trapper had a pot of beans simmering at the edge of the fire.

“The good Lord told me I’d be having guests.” Jack chuckled. “Good thing too, otherwise all I’d have for you boys would be some jerky.”

“Jerky would’ve been just fine.” Linc smiled, hoping his contempt didn’t show.

“So what have you boys been up to?” Jack asked, looking into each of their faces and lingering on William’s with an expression of concern.

Before he could ask William what happened, Linc said the first thing that popped in his head, “We are just coming from the Thomas’ cabin.”

“Oh, really,” the old man said smiling fondly. “And how are the good sisters doing?”

“Not good, I’m afraid. Viola has let herself become quite the hussy,” Linc said.

“How so?” Jack questioned, pulling back in shock.

“She has a man staying with her,” Linc answered, trying to keep his voice calm with a tinge of disgust instead of the rage he felt.

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