Blood Ballad by Liza Street

Author:Liza Street [Street, Liza]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Liza Street

12

We ain’t even all the way out of town before Carson comes back to himself.

“Rift take me, it happened again, didn’t it,” he says, and it ain’t a question.

The sun’s still low, easing up over the mountains across the valley like it ain’t sure it’s welcome. The light’s getting better, and I’m eager to get into the trees Layne had pointed us to.

“If you mean you thought I was Evangeline,” I say, “then yes, it happened again.”

“Sorry, Gracie.”

“It’s all right, although I’m getting mighty curious as to the story behind you two.”

He shakes his head once and focuses on Domino’s black mane.

The road to Atonement is, thankfully, without obstacle or trouble. We have to pass through a large creek, but it’s shallow and I remember to throw in a piece of hardtack to appease any fae who might be livin’ in it. That’s a lesson I’ve learned twice, and I hope I never have another occasion to learn it again.

We stop just outside of Atonement so I can change into my dress. It’s less of a novelty now, and I do not love riding with the dress hiking up my legs. But the ride into town ain’t too far, and before I know it, I’m sliding off Kitty and looping her reins over a long, weather-polished hitch rack.

It’s a little before midday and again overcast. I wonder if the sun never shines fully on the Fiddle.

Atonement don’t look much different from the other little towns I’ve seen here in the Fiddle, with its squat buildings and muddy streets. People wander up and down the covered, wooden walkways, ducking into shops or stopping to visit with one another. Nobody gives us more than a passing glance, and I recall what Layne said about trading. Atonement is probably used to seeing strangers.

“You reckon we should find the sheriff?” Carson asks.

“Probably better not to,” I say, “in case they’ve had word from Paradise.”

“Good point,” he says. “Saloon it is, then”

The three of us amble down the street, tryin’ to look like we belong here.

“There’s a restaurant,” I say, pointing to a wooden door propped open with a brick.

“We might get better gossip in the saloon,” Boone says quietly, lifting his chin toward the adjacent door.

“Your choice, Carson,” I say, because I think we can get someone to talk to us in either establishment.

“Saloon,” he says. “Lips are looser when there’s drinkin’. And Rift take me, I could use a drink.”

I give him a look. He ain’t no stranger to whiskey, but it’s usually not on his mind as early as noon.

Instead of acknowledging my look, he holds out his arm to link it with mine and escort me into the saloon like I’m a lady.

The interior of the saloon is surprisingly nice, and it appears we’re in luck and they offer food here, as well as in the restaurant next door. The scents of cooking meat hit my nose, reminding me of Sundays with my pa, when he’d fry up eggs and slices of ham.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.