Shotgun Bride (10 page)
"That's mine!" Russell tried to catch the end of the bag.
"I really doubt it." Kid set the bag near his feet. "Take the gelding to the corral."
Russell stomped his foot, and with more force than necessary, yanked on the reins in his hand. The gelding reacted by tossing his head aside. Russell pulled harder which only irritated the horse more.
Kid watched the tug of war, knowing the horse would win, and the man would get what he deserved. It happened a few moments later. The gelding rose up and his front hooves pawed at the air. Russell yelped and stumbled backwards. His feet slipped in a pile of horse debris and over he went. A loud crack echoed as the back of his head hit the top rung of a stall gate. The gelding shot forward, barely missing the sprawled form.
The man moaned loud enough to be heard in Texas. Feeling no compassion, Kid kicked one of the shiny boots. 91
Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
by Lauri Robinson
"Go get the bridle off that horse. He's gonna trip on the reins."
"I can't, I think I'm bleeding," Russell groaned.
"Not yet, but you will be if that horse breaks a leg. Now get up."
"You go get it. Damn horse is wild as hell. I'm not going near him. I'm injured."
"Like hell you're injured." He grabbed the front of Russell's suit jacket and lifted until the man's toes barely touched the ground. Glaring deep into pale blue eyes, he seethed, "Get the bridle before I injure you. Believe me—you'll know you're injured then." With a hard shove, he thrust Russell toward the back of the barn.
The man stumbled forward, trying to catch his footing. Between the slime on his boots and the hay on the ground, Russell didn't gain control of his feet until he ran into the back wall. This time the front of his head smacked the wood. If he hadn't felt so pissed off, he might have laughed at the sight. He glared at the man, matching the hateful stare Russell shot over his shoulder before stumbling to the door. Keeping an eye on him, Kid reached down and picked up the sack before he followed. The gelding played his part well, and a smiled tugged at Kid's lips before Russell finally got the bridle off the horse and stepped around the larger piles of dung on his way back to the barn.
Kid waited until Russell was almost to the barn before he tipped the bag and let the sun bleached bones fall onto the ground.
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Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
by Lauri Robinson
"What the hell are you doing?" Russell increased his speed, trying to stop the bones from falling in the muck.
"What's so special about a few old bones?" he asked.
"They're not just old bones." Russell tossed the bridle into the barn and reached down to gather the bones. "These are buffalo bones."
"Yeah, I know what kind of bones they are."
"They're a precious commodity. They get shipped east where they make china out of them." Russell grabbed the sack from the ground and began to set the bones in the bag with care.
Kid leaned against the barn door. His gaze went from the bridle, which he'd paid a fair amount for, to the useless bones. "So you plan on taking them to Dodge to be shipped east?"
"If you must know, yes I am. I plan on giving the money to your family." Russell held the sack up in front of him. "This little bag is easily worth the fifty bucks you claim I owe them."
Kid snorted, seriously trying to hold in a chuckle. "Not hardly."
"Buffalo bones are bringing six to eight dollars a pound right now," Russell said.
"Who told you that?"
"I saw the sign in Dodge."
"I think you misread a very old sign. The bones used to bring six to eight dollars a
ton
. But the Buffalo have been gone for over five years. The only bones being found now aren't good for anything more than fertilizer," Kid explained. 93
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by Lauri Robinson
"A ton?"
"Yes, a ton. Those few bones are worth less than the bag you've got them in."
"Shit!" Russell threw the bag on the ground.
"Pick it up. And the bridle." The rattle of a wagon pulling in the yard echoed into the barn, making Kid add, "You've a wagon hub to repair."
Russell grabbed the bag and walked over to retrieve the bridle. "What are they doing back already?"
"It seems your hub job didn't hold. Pull it apart. I'll show you the correct way to fix it when I'm done talking with Ma." Halfway to the barn door, Kid stopped to ask, "Where are Skeeter and Snake?"
"Out gathering buffalo bones," Russell mumbled. Shaking his head, he walked out of the barn. They should have known those bones were useless. When would his brothers grow up? Snake was over eighteen now, and Skeeter pushing twenty-one. He waved at Hog, motioning to pull the wagon up next to the barn while making his way to the house. At least the entertaining show had eased his anger, he actually let out a laugh as he hopped up the steps.
* * * *
Jessie pulled the golden brown loaf of bread from the oven. It smelled heavenly. The directions she'd found of Stephanie's were easy to follow, and the unending supplies she'd discovered in the pantry and cellar made her feel like Christmas time when mama and papa were alive. A cherry pie 94
Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
by Lauri Robinson
sat on the counter, ready to go in the oven as soon as she put the bread on a cloth to cool.
The loaf grew hot in her hands. Used pots, pans, bowls and spoons filled every flat surface. She set the bread pan on top of the stove and went to clear an area on the table. Sammy's bark startled her before the spot was clear.
"Sammy!" She turned to where he sat in front of the stove. The dog looked at her and barked again before looking at the stovetop.
"Oh, no!" she exclaimed.
The items in her hands scattered onto the floor as she scurried across the room to where smoke billowed from beneath the bottom of the bread pan. She'd accidentally set the bread pan on top of the towel she'd used to protect her hands from the hot metal, which she'd set on top of a hot burner.
Using the skirt of her dress to prevent a burn, she grabbed the bread pan with one hand and pushed the smoking towel to the floor with the other. Heat already burning her skin through the thin material of her dress, she rushed to set the hot pan on the table.
Sammy barked again.
"Now what?" Jessie turned in time to see flames rise from the towel on the floor.
"Oh, no!" She leaped forward, frantically stomping on the flaming towel.
Thankfully, it was several hours before Sammy barked again, this time because Kid had rode into the yard. Jessie squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. Everything 95
Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
by Lauri Robinson
was in its proper place. The food was done, the table set, and she hoped all of the burnt smells had cleared from the air. A quiver touched her spine. The only thing she hadn't been able to repair was the small burn mark in the middle of the kitchen floor. Scouring hadn't helped, the wood had been charred. She pressed a hand to the guilt racing across her chest. Hopefully Kid wouldn't notice. She smoothed the hair out of her eyes, took another deep breath, and waited for the back door to open. At the last moment, she scurried over to stand on the black spot, waving for Sammy to come and sit next to her feet.
Before the door opened all the way, she blurted, "Hi. How was your day?"
Kid stepped into the room. His eyes grew wide as they settled on her face. His brows drew together, making lines crease the area between them.
"Hello," he said before he looked around the room. Jessie pointed to the table. "I found Stephanie's recipes and all of the supplies. I promise tonight's meal is much better than last night's."
Kid's eyes stopped on her again. They went from her head to her toes and back up again. "You've been cooking?" His face formed a grimace.
She nodded, trying to hold in her smile. Sammy barked.
"He helped." She pointed to the dog by her knee.
"I see."
"Sit down. It's all ready."
"Jessie, uh..."
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"Honest, I sampled it. It's good," she said. Worry made her voice quiver slightly. To her it tasted fine, but then again, she was use to flavorless food.
A smile formed on his face. "I'm sure it is." Kid shook his head as he walked to the table.
Jessie leaned down and whispered in Sammy's ear, "Please lay right here on this burn spot. I don't want him to see it until after he eats."
Sammy let out a little moan, but did lie down. Using his hind legs, the dog spun his prone body around so he faced the table, then settled his head atop his paws. Kid looked from the dog to her. He let out a soft chuckle as his gaze went between them again. Jessie noticed a long white streak running along the dog's back. She rubbed at the area with her hand. "I must have spilt a touch of flour on him today."
"Just a touch maybe." Kid let out another chuckle as he shook his head again.
Jessie settled into her chair at the table. "I made a beef roast with potatoes and carrots, bread, and a cherry pie for dessert." Her cheeks burned at how boastful she sounded, but she couldn't control the pride coming out as she pointed to each dish on the table. "Go ahead, try some." Kid reached over and picked up her plate. "Ladies first," he said as he removed the lid from the pan in the middle of the table and began to scoop contents onto her plate. He sniffed the air above her plate before he set it in front of her and picked up his. She sliced the bread and handed him a piece. "I didn't know we had a milk cow either. Joe 97
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showed me where the butter churn was." Her head nodded toward the bowl of smooth butter.
"He did, did he?"
"Yes, and he showed me the ice box, and explained how it works. He said he'd teach me to milk the cow another day. He was already done with the milking when he came in this morning." She stopped talking as he lifted a forkful of food to his mouth and held her breath as he chewed then swallowed. His eyes met hers. "This is very good, Jessie." He nodded and filled his fork again. "Very good."
"Thank you." Tickled, she couldn't help but send a wide smile to Sammy. The dog lifted his head and gave a soft bark.
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Kid fought to pull his eyes from the delightful girl sitting across from him. Sammy didn't look nearly as disheveled as she did. Flour covered her body from head to toe, every time she moved a puff of white came from somewhere. A glob of bread dough, pie crust, or perhaps butter, smeared one cheek, while a long, black streak stretched down the other. All of it made her look more adorable than anything he'd ever seen.
Her hard work had paid off. The meal was delicious. At least what he'd tasted so far and the pie sitting beside his plate looked close to perfect. The neat and clean kitchen might have made him wonder if she'd conjured up the meal if she didn't look like she'd just fought a war with a flour tornado.
"I'm sorry I wasn't up when you left this morning. I didn't realize you got up so early. I'll be up tomorrow to make you breakfast." Her soft voice broke his thoughts. Kid resumed eating, savoring each mouthful. "That's not necessary. I can manage my own breakfast. Besides, I won't have to leave as early tomorrow."
"Where did you have to go today?" she asked.
"I rode over to my mother's."
The fork stalled near her mouth. "Oh, how are your mother and brothers?"
"Good, I helped the boys fix a hub on one of the wagons." He took a second helping of roast and potatoes. 99
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"That was nice of you."
She chewed her food very slowly. The way her brows pulled together as she stared at her plate made Kid wonder if thoughts of her brother filled her head. He'd have to bring up the subject. He lifted his fork and determined it could wait until after they ate. "Stephanie sent some things home for you."
"She did?" Her gaze lifted, clearly confused. "What sort of things?"
"They're out on the back porch. I'll carry them in when we're done. It's just some things that no longer fit her. She thought they might fit you."
"Clothes?" Her eyes sparkled. "Did she say if it's a dress?
Or maybe a nightgown?" She was almost breathless. He smiled, but warned, "Don't get too excited, they may not fit. She said she'd come over and show you how to alter them if you'd like."
"Really? Oh, that is so kind of her." Her smile was brighter than any morning sunrise he'd ever seen. Kid chuckled. "Night before last she held you at gun point. I wouldn't think you'd think she was kind after that."
"That was circumstantial." She shook her head. "You mustn't hold it against her."
He closed his gapping mouth. She really was quite unbelievable. A silly, happy feeling settle in his chest as he picked up his knife and asked, "Are you ready for a piece of this pie that looks good enough to eat?" She scooped the last morsels on her plate onto her fork.
"Yes, I think I am."
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The pie was as good as it looked. Kid had two pieces, making sure the first one hadn't just been teasing his taste buds. When they finished, she rose to clear the table. He patted his stomach. "You out did yourself, Jessie. Thank you, it really was delicious."
"You're welcome." She lifted the dishes from the table. "I have to admit, I was quite nervous when I started this morning. And I discovered I'm not a very neat cook."
"Oh?" He rose to help carry items from the table.
"Yes, had you come home this afternoon, I would have been embarrassed for you to see the mess I'd made." A cloud of white hung in her wake.
