A Grand Teton Sleigh Ride: Four Generations of Wyoming Ranchers Celebrate Love at Christmas Read Online Free Page A

never to be ashamed of having an education.” Belle’s voice rang out with an air of confidence. “A strong brain is just as impressive as a strong physique.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind, Miss Murray.” The turn of conversation almost made him squirm, but there was a kindness in her words.
    “So you came here, to Wyoming. That’s a big change from Chicago.”
    “Yup, sure is.” He’d come on a whim, almost a dare, really. Trapping had given him a freedom that years of academia hadn’t.
    “So, you were a trapper and then staked a claim.”
    “Yup. Finished my cabin addition this spring, new barn, too.” Honestly, she was cross-examining him with the skill of an attorney. He almost asked where she was headed with her line of questioning but figured he didn’t want to know. Not quite.
    “I must say your prospects are excellent.”
    He chuckled at her tone. “I’m glad you approve.”
    “But what about your family?”
    “Orphaned, as best I know. My mother never married, my father, not sure about him. But I won a scholarship to preparatory school for my grades, and the same followed for seminary.”
    “How sad about your family.”
    “I’m thankful for what I have. My family is here, among the locals. Soon as I saw the Teton Range, I felt like I’d come home.” Funny, how the low light could loosen his guard.
    “Yes, it’s lovely here. So free, and wild.”
    “That it is, Miss Murray.”
    They fell silent, and as Zeb listened to the soft plunks of hooves on the trail, he shot a prayer of thanks heavenward that the questions were over. For the moment, that is.
    Then Miss Murray continued.
    “Mr. Covington, have you ever thought of taking a wife?”
    He darted a quick glance across the trail at her. “My, my, my, Miss Murray, aren’t we being forward?”
    “Oh, ah, I don’t mean me,” she sputtered. “I’m in no position to marry right now.”
    “Well, who did you mean?” He tried not to laugh.
    “Never mind. I’m just curious. There are a number of eligible men in Jackson’s Hole, and there comes a point when, I’m sure, a man must know he needs, or wants, a wife. If you are at that point, I’d like to help you find a suitable spouse. Because as you know, there aren’t many eligible women in Jackson. A lady will have plenty of choices, but not all would be an, ah, ideal match.”
    A matchmaker. She was trying to be a matchmaker. The idea made him laugh out loud, and the sound rang against the trees.
    “You find my offer humorous?”
    “Yes. No. I don’t need a wife, Miss Murray. I don’t know as I ever will.” He looked ahead on the trail, to the edge of a fence with the Quinns’ mark on it, the edge of their claim. “It looks like we’re here.”
    “Well, thank you, Zebulon.” She reined in her horse and stopped at the gate. “And like I said, never mind about what I said about needing a wife. I have a young lady in mind who I think would be a most suitable wife for the right man. But she can’t entertain notions about just anyone.”
    He didn’t wager but guessed the likely candidate was the nervous and giggly Rosemary Smythe he’d sat across from that evening at supper.
    “Good evening, Miss Murray. Don’t forget what I said about the guns.”
    “I won’t, Mr. Covington. Thank you for seeing me to the gate.”
    He found himself wishing he could see her smile better in the deep twilight, because he could hear it in her voice.
    No, he didn’t need a wife. But tonight, he almost found himself wanting one.

Chapter 4
    O n Friday morning a week later, the snow began to fall, and it continued for the next twenty-four hours. The wind began, howling as it swept down from Grand Teton, the highest peak of the range.
    Nobody had warned Belle about the sound it made, a wailing noise that made her want to plug her ears and burrow deeply under the quilts stacked on the mattress.
    She cleaned the three rooms of the cabin until they gleamed then whiled away the afternoon watching