A Whiskey River Princess: Sweet Historical Western Romance by Theresa Oliver

A Whiskey River Princess: Sweet Historical Western Romance by Theresa Oliver

Author:Theresa Oliver [Oliver, Theresa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Loft Literary Group LLC
Published: 2024-04-28T00:00:00+00:00


They said nothing to each other as he guided Angel through the snow, falling in white puffs from the darkening sky. Soon, the snow fell harder, almost blinding.

Gabriella silently slid the quilt over Dirk’s lap, but carefully kept her distance.

“We’ll be home soon.”

She nodded as she pulled the quilt up to her chin.

A few moments later, his cabin came into view. He pulled Angel to a stop by the front porch. “Go on inside and get warm. I’ll take care of Angel and will be in presently.”

“Do you need my help?” She looked up at him with wide, trusting eyes.

He smiled, shaking his head. “No, go in and get warm.”

She nodded but paused. “Dirk, I—”

“Don’t worry about it,” he cut her off, looking straight ahead. “Go on in.”

Gabriella paused for a moment and then stepped out of the sleigh and made her way up the frozen steps. When she opened the door, Buster came bounding out.

“Hey, boy! Want to help?” Dirk asked as Buster jumped into the sleigh.

Buster barked twice, wagging his tail.

“Good boy.” Dirk clicked his tongue and guided Angel toward the barn. “If only people were more like animals: loyal, trusting….”

Buster barked twice and Angel looked over her shoulder at Dirk.

He never ceased to marvel at how much animals seemed to understand. Somehow, Dirk had always gotten along better with animals than humans, although he never knew why. He guessed that animals didn’t lie. They trusted and loved unconditionally. Humans were different. It took a while to earn their trust.

Dirk guessed that he had to include himself in that, too. Since Sarah left, it had made him a bit less trusting of people. It would take him a while to be able to trust someone again like he had trusted her.

Suddenly, he understood Gabriella. If he was slow to trust after what he had been through, there was no doubt that she, too, found it difficult to trust others because of what she had been through.

After he rubbed down Angel and guided her to her stall, Dirk made his way through the blinding snow and through the back door of the cabin as Buster followed.

“Well! It appears that we made it back just in time,” Dirk announced as he shook the snow from his coat and hung it by the door. He looked around but didn’t see her. “Gabriella?” When he walked into the living room, only one candle was lit, illuminating her, bent over the fireplace, still dressed in her coat.

She had placed a log in the fireplace and was trying to light it. Dirk smiled at her persistence, realizing that she didn’t know anything about caring for herself or a home. No doubt she had spent her life being cared for and doted on.

“You forgot the kindling. When the fire dies too much, you need to add kindling to start it.” Dirk grabbed a handful of small, dry twigs. “Here, I’ll do it.”

When she pulled back, tears were streaking down her face.

“Ah, come here,” Dirk cooed as he pulled her gently to her feet and wrapped his arms around her.



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