Break Heart Canyon by Gini Rifkin

Author:Gini Rifkin [Rifkin, Gini]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance; historical western; myth and legend; Scottish heroine; goats; donkeys; Shaman; ancient relics; quartet of endearing bootleggers; revenuers; a
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2022-06-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The day of the eclipse broke crystal clear. Nary a cloud could be seen, not even atop Pike’s Peak. And the Colorado sky shown so intensely blue, to admire the setting hurt one’s eyes.

Una drank in the warmth. Anticipation seemed to hum in the air, the sound tangible as if she stood beside her beehives. Even the Earth knew today was special.

Wallace came over for a morning hug, The Countess remained a bit more reserved. She seemed happy here, although occasionally she stood staring off in the direction from which she came. Perhaps she had donkey-friends there and missed them.

Opening the holding pens, Una stood back as her tribe of goats bounded to freedom and their morning graze. Then she pumped water into the trough which the donkeys favored. They weren’t fond of drinking from the creek.

Wallace and The Countess ambled along behind the goats, and with one arm draped over the gelding’s neck, Una followed them into the pasture. “You two seem to be getting on famously.” Wallace nosed her thigh as if in agreement, and she hugged his strong neck and scratched one ear.

Unlike horses and sheep, the goats and donkeys were browsers not grazers, and nothing was safe in their midst. She glanced at the sturdy fence around her garden. Only the ducks, goose, and chickens were allowed in there to eat the bugs and not the produce. Netting hung on tall poles protected the flock from overhead predators and MacTavish knew to watch for the fox.

With everybody happily munching away, her little corner of the world felt in-balance, and she nearly skipped back to the cabin stopping only once to collect an armload of split wood. Stacking the fuel beside the woodstove, she began shucking peas. She loved peas. Savory bright nuggets of springtime kept safe in the pod just waiting to be enjoyed in the heat of summer.

The cornbread she made yesterday had turned out perfect, and the ingredients were laid out for the honey cake to be baked in her cast iron frying pan. Cut up with dill, the potatoes and eggs set to boil would be a great addition to the celebration meal.

Jim insisted on bringing antelope steaks to fry in the outdoor firepit. When alone, she didn’t favor the eating of meat, wouldn’t dream of consuming the goats, ducks, or chickens she cared for like children. But she didn’t begrudge others their preference and partook with gratitude of what was graciously offered.

“Hello in the cabin.”

At the sound of Ryker’s voice Una jumped, sending a handful of peas rolling across the table. Leaping up she grabbed the wayward vegetables and tossed them in with the rest, then turning to face the door, she smoothed out her skirt and worked at arranging her recalcitrant hair. Damp with perspiration from the heat of the woodstove and her morning labors, her locks curled and spiraled at will.

“Come in.” Heart fluttering like a humming bird caged in her chest, she could barely get the words out.

Ryker peeked in the open door, then stepped over the threshold.

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