Winds of Paradise (Paradise Valley Book 2) by Vivi Holt

Author:Vivi Holt [Holt, Vivi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-02-28T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Dusty slipped his Stetson onto his head and holstered his Colt single-action revolver. He scanned the bunkhouse, making a mental list of everything he’d need for his trip into Bozeman.

“Off to town again?” Dan asked slyly. He leaned back on the rear legs of his chair, a cigar hanging from his grinning lips.

“Yep,” answered Dusty, moving toward the door.

“How come ya go so often now?” Ost asked, pushing pieces of sizzling salt pork around a frying pan on the black stovetop.

“Just visitin’ someone,” replied Dusty, warmth rising into his face. He’d wondered how long he could get away with his Saturday trips to town before the other ranch hands figured it out. Looked like his time was almost up.

“Who are you visiting?” pressed Dan, taking a long puff on the cigar, then blowing an elongated smoke ring. “And how come the boss lets you off every Saturday for it?”

Dusty decided not to answer. His hand rested against the door, ready to push it open.

“You staying at Miss Fancy’s parlor house, by chance?” Dan smirked, raising his eyebrows.

Dusty tensed. “No, I ain’t!” he exclaimed.

“Well, then?”

Dusty ground his teeth together and sighed. “If’n ya must know, I’m callin’ on Genny’s friend Miss Wilder, the schoolmistress from Missoula. And Tom knows all ‘bout it, so ya can just shove it. Please.” He shoved open the door, striding off toward the barn.

A rumble of laughter filled the bunkhouse behind him, and he grumbled. Let them tease him all they wished – it wasn’t going to change his mind. Not when he got to spend a few hours with the most beautiful woman in all the Montana Territory every Saturday.

Since the trail to Bozeman followed the riverbank, aspen trees lined the way. Beneath them, brilliantly colored wildflowers grew in patches – creeping grapes, thimbleberries, Woods’ roses and a few others Dusty didn’t recognize. He pulled Rebel to a halt and dismounted to gather a bunch of flowers for Jane. She could set them in that vase on her kitchen table, the one with the blue flowers painted on it.

Bending to pluck the prettiest ones he could find, he noticed a beaver setting up the first stages of a dam on the other side of the river. Dadgum varmint’ll cause the boss all kinds of headache, no doubt. He stood and lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the morning sun’s glare as he frowned at the critter’s activity. He made a mental note to tell Thomas when he got back to the ranch.

Another movement on the bank caught his eye – Cookie’s old gray mare Cass, grazing on sweet grass shoots. What in tarnation was she doing out here on her own? She was saddled, and the reins of her bridle hung low around her head as she ate. She stepped forward, right onto the reins, pulling them taut. She jerked her head up, but couldn’t move. The restriction made her panic and she jerked her head again, harder this time.

“Whoa there, whoa!” called Dusty, hurrying to free her.

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