Tried and True (Wild at Heart Book #1) by Mary Connealy

Author:Mary Connealy [Connealy, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC027050, Frontier and pioneer life—Fiction, FIC042030, FIC042040, Idaho Territory—Fiction, Disguise—Fiction, Women pioneers—Fiction
ISBN: 9781441264732
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2014-08-26T00:00:00+00:00

15

Bailey showed up before dawn. “I’ll make coffee. You put some clothes on.”

Kylie shook off sleep and rolled her eyes at her bossy big sister. “Good idea. I probably wouldn’t’ve thought of getting dressed without you telling me.” Kylie tossed back her thin blanket. Coffee was boiling by the time she had her clothes on.

Shannon showed up with a dozen eggs just as Bailey poured the first cups. Kylie sliced a rasher of bacon, which Bailey had brought a week ago.

Bailey questioned Kylie about the new coop, making plans to come back tomorrow with a few of her own chickens.

Sunrise came in next carrying three skinned rabbits and a lumpy cloth bag that she dumped out to show some odd roots. “Stew for dinner.” The Shoshone woman had already been hunting this morning.

Kylie started the bacon frying while her sisters and Sunrise made rabbit stew and organized Kylie’s life. She didn’t even mind too much, so long as the food kept coming.

They were close to finishing their breakfast when hoofbeats drew their attention. A quick glance out the window made Kylie gasp. “It’s Coulter, and he’s not alone.”

Bailey and Shannon, both dressed in their manly clothing, rushed to the windows, each taking their own side of the door, staying back so as not to be noticed.

Kylie wondered if their disguises would hold. “You don’t have to hide from him. Aaron’s already changed your paper work, so the fact that you’re women is out now.”

Bailey scowled at Kylie, then glanced at Sunrise. Kylie realized Bailey thought Sunrise still believed her to be a man.

Shaking her head, Sunrise said, “I have known you are a woman from the first. I saw no reason to question the clothes you chose to wear.”

Bailey looked startled but then went right back to complaining. “It may be written down on paper, but if Coulter discovers we’re women, pretty soon all his cowhands will know, and then everyone will know.” Bailey drew her gun and edged to the side of the window. “Our chances of living quietly will be gone.”

“I know Coulter,” Sunrise said. “Hide if you have a mind. I will go out so he will know Kylie isn’t alone.”

Bailey and Shannon exchanged a look. Kylie knew it didn’t suit them to let their little sister take charge of anything, but this once she was right, and here she stood in a dress, no secret life to hide. Besides, they probably trusted Sunrise to take care of things, and the big-sister brigade was here if she needed to call in the cavalry.

Finally, with a jerk of her chin, Bailey said, “You go talk to him, Kylie. Sunrise, stay close to her. Get rid of him.”

“Coulter is not easily gotten rid of,” Sunrise said, “but we will try.”

Shannon returned to the table and poured more coffee for herself. Bailey stayed on guard.

Kylie, with Sunrise right behind, stepped out as Coulter rode up with another man. A wild man from the looks of him, with a full beard and long hair, his clothing made of deerskin.

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