The Lady and the Mountain Call (Mountain Dreams Series Book 5) by Beller Misty M

Author:Beller, Misty M. [Beller, Misty M.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Misty M. Beller Books, Inc.
Published: 2016-04-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

CATHLEEN PRESSED A hand to her skirt as she rounded the corner of the cabin from the outhouse. Mrs. Scott had been knitting, with North lounging at her feet, when Cathleen took the opportunity for a quick outing. She probably should have put the bar across the door, but with the weather still so nice after three days, they’d been keeping the door open to let in the fresh air.

A movement at the edge of the woods caught her attention.

A rider? She stopped and shaded her eyes. Reuben was in the barn, working on the hides he’d brought, so it couldn’t be him.

But that profile was familiar. Unmistakable.

Grabbing her skirts, she sprinted forward. “Alex!”

He nudged his horse into a jog and closed the distance between them, then reined in and swung down. She landed in his arms, relishing the warmth as they wrapped around her.

“You really are alive.” His voice had a hint of a chuckle, but the way he held her overlong brought a rush of moisture to her eyes. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed this brother of hers.

Finally, he pulled back, gripping her shoulders like he was holding up a puppy for examination. “Two arms. Still standing and walking.” He grabbed her hands and raised them up. “All fingers are still there.” The twinkle sprang into his eye in full force. “I guess you’ve done all right.”

She jerked her hand away, then gave him a backwards shove. “Scamp.”

He raised both hands in an I didn’t do it gesture. “That’s your name, not mine.”

“Who’s there?” A shaky voice from the porch pulled Cathleen back to her surroundings.

She slipped her hand through Alex’s arm and pulled him toward the cabin. “It’s me, Mrs. Scott. We have a visitor.”

At the porch, Cathleen motioned to the rail. “Just tie your horse for a minute and come inside.” She ascended the stairs first and took Mrs. Scott’s hand in hers. “My brother’s come to pay us a visit. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“Oh. Yes, dear. I’m sure that’s nice.” The older woman used her confused voice, the one that meant she had no idea what Cathleen had just said, but she was trying to play along.

“Why don’t we go in and cut some of the sourdough bread we made this morning? He’s been riding a long time to get here, so I’ll bet he’s hungry.” She turned the woman, and they headed into the house with Alex close on their heels.

She needed to find Reuben too. He’d want to know they had a visitor, and how wonderful it would be to introduce him to her brother.

As soon as she had Alex settled at the table with somewhat-fresh coffee and buttered bread, she stepped back and untied her apron. “I’m going to the barn to get Reuben. He’ll be glad to meet you.”

Alex’s head tilted, and something about the way he held his jaw seemed to send the happy moment fleeing from the room. “Reuben?” His voice had gone dry.

She hung her apron on the peg.

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