A Western Christmas Homecoming: Christmas Day Wedding Bells ; Snowbound in Big Springs ; Christmas with the Outlaw by Lynna Banning

Author:Lynna Banning
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-07-04T13:21:11+00:00

Chapter Seven

“That sun is getting downright hot,” Jud said, scooping up another shovel full of snow and flinging it off to the side.

“Freezing one day, sweating the next,” Sawyer said, shoveling on the other side of the tracks. “Wouldn’t surprise me to see it thundering and lightning tonight.”

Laughing, others agreed as their shovels kept moving snow. Despite the backbreaking work of digging out the train, something they’d already been doing for hours, the entire group of men was in good humor. Welles had no doubt they’d remain that way all day. Working, laughing and joking around with each other. That was how it had always been.

The heat of the sun promised to hang around, and was needed to help melt away the ice that had built up under the snow. If they were lucky, by this afternoon the horses would be able to pull the train far enough backward that, with a hot fire roaring in her belly, the engine would have enough steam to get uphill and then onward into Big Springs.

By tomorrow, it would be rolling onto Denver. None too soon. He’d be on it, and as soon as he won a solid stake, he’d be rolling back into Big Springs. To stay. He understood what Gramps said, and he was playing the hand he’d been dealt. The chance of winning big was there, and he’d take it, get it and then bring that money back here, settle down and take over running the livery. Let Sophie marry some fella of her choosing while he took care of the old codger and the horses, and the house and everything else she’d been taking care of the past four years.

He’d do all that, and love it. Tossing another shovel full of snow aside, he let out a sigh. About as much as he was enjoying moving a mountain of snow. It wouldn’t all be bad. Gramps was easy enough to get along with as long as a person knew what to expect, and he was actually looking forward to working with the horses again, being a part of the community. Having the money from winning in Denver, along with what he already had, would assure they would have all they’d need. And he’d pay Sophie for all she’d done while he’d been gone. She could use it to start her new life.

He wouldn’t enjoy her getting married, but would get used to it.

It would have to be the right man. That was for sure. He’d make sure of that.

“Hey, Welles,” J.T. shouted. “Isn’t that one of Chester’s rigs?”

They’d ridden out to the train in the livery’s sleigh, but the direction J.T. pointed said he was referring to a different one. Welles walked across the tracks to see around the train. Sure enough, two of the horses out of the livery were pulling a sleigh. It was much smaller than the wagon one they’d used, and was carrying only two people.

Recognizing the driver, he set aside his shovel and walked forward.

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