Freedom in the Mountain Wind by Misty M. Beller

Freedom in the Mountain Wind by Misty M. Beller

Author:Misty M. Beller [Beller, Misty M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Misty M. Beller Books, Inc.


Chapter 15

Beaver Tail waited until Susanna had finished passing out helpings of bean cake and meat to each of them, then he rose to his knees and glanced at French and Caleb. “I’m going to ride forward and see the herd. I’ll make sure we have a safe route around them.” Those two would likely see through his bluff.

Joel too, if he had his wits about him. But just then, the man was lying on his back with an arm over his eyes, chewing slowly as if the task took great effort. Wilkins was slumped against the tree, sipping water and nibbling on a bean cake. If the fatigue on his face were any indication, he’d be stretched out like Joel within a few minutes. Good.

Beaver Tail stood and turned to catch his horse, which he’d turned loose to graze with its saddle on.

“Can I ride with you?”

Susanna’s voice froze him mid-step. He turned back to her, his heart beating faster than her simple words should have effected.

Her eyes were always pretty—that was one of the first things he’d noticed about her that day on the river’s edge—but now they were rounded and pleading, and the hope in them pressed like a weight on his chest. He glanced at her father just to escape the longing her gaze drew from him.

“I suppose I should stay here,” she said. “Forget I asked.”

His focus shot back to her face, which she’d turned to her father. She must have interpreted Beaver’s look toward the man to mean he was asking if she worried about leaving her father in his ill state. Maybe he had meant that, but the thought of Susanna not going with him sent a surge of desperation through his chest.

Before he could stop himself, he looked to Caleb. “You can see to anything that’s needed here, right?”

Caleb nodded, then sent Susanna one of his charming grins. “You ride out an’ enjoy yourself, ma’am. A big herd of buffalo like this one is a sight to behold. We’ll all just sit here an’ enjoy the breeze.” He swiped his sleeve across his brow as though he’d worked up a sweat.

Beaver had to bite back a snort. The man did know how to play things up for a woman.

But Susanna didn’t seem affected by his charm. Instead, she turned to Beaver with uncertainty in her gaze.

He reached out for her. It wasn’t until he already had his hand extended that he wondered why he’d done it. He wasn’t standing close enough that she could actually slip her fingers in his. But this woman seemed to make his body act before his mind had time to stop himself.

The thought scared him more than he wanted to face right now.

But he’d already put himself out there, so he kept his hand extended. After a long moment—maybe not as long as the silence felt—she nodded, then pushed to her feet.



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