Brides of Idaho Read Online Free Page A

Kootenai gold fields. Sort of ran out of steam about here.”
    Levi read between the lines. Ran out of money. Ran into a saloon.
    “The buffalo gals sort of helped me out, if you know what I mean.”
    Levi did. “Buffalo gals?”
    Toby tipped his head toward the door. “That’s what they call them three.”
    “How so?”
    Toby shrugged. “Can’t say. Never asked anyone. It just is.”
    It just is. Seems a lot of life was like that. No reason for why things were. No reason for parents dying and leaving two boys orphaned. No reason for one choosing to follow God, the other choosing to run wild. Except—Levi’s teeth clenched of their own accord—he believed things could be different. If someone would show kindness to the hurting, reach out a hand to those in need…
    It was what his task was. He’d do it to the best of his ability and trust God to do His share where Levi couldn’t.
    Another man, dressed in a suit better fitted for sitting behind a desk, edged toward Levi. He waited for a break in the conversation. “Can I talk to you?”
    “Certainly.”
    “It’s kind of private.”
    “Of course.” He unwound himself from the wall and followed the man away from the crowd toward a place where they appeared to be alone.
    The man looked around to be sure before he spoke. “Preacher, would you pray for me?”
    “By all means. What shall I pray?” He listened to the man’s story, read some encouraging scriptures, and prayed.
    By then the sun was setting, sending flares of red, orange, and pink across the Kootenai River. He’d planned to set up camp in a quiet spot among the trees, but now it was too late to find a decent spot. And it seemed he could best live up to his purpose if he stayed closer to town and hung around the stopping house, which practically burst with people.
    Besides, if he stayed, perhaps he could talk to Glory and find out what made her eyes glint like sun off a rifle barrel every time he glanced at her. Seemed the gal had a mighty big grudge fueling her audaciousness.
    Levi had left his saddle and bedroll in the lean-to, which served as luggage area for all those at the stopping house. He gathered up his bedding and headed inside. He dropped the necessary coins in Joanna’s palm and looked about the dining room. The table had been pushed against the wall, the benches tucked underneath, leaving plenty of floor space. The ladies had disappeared into the far room where two big beds allowed them a measure of comfort and privacy.
    “Help yourself.” Joanna waved about the room. Where had the other two Hamilton girls disappeared to?
    Already several places had been claimed by way of unrolled bedding and sometimes a carpetbag. He chose a spot close to the kitchen door with his back to the wall and sank to the floor. He opened his Bible and began to read. That’s when he heard voices from the kitchen and recognized Miss Glory and Miss Mandy.
    “I still think we should be trying to find Pa.” He knew immediately it was Miss Mandy, whose voice was softer, gentler than Glory’s.
    “Don’t see why. We got a nice situation here.”
    “He’s our pa.”
    “I know. And how many times have we caught up to him, think we’re part of his life, when he up and disappears?”
    “Glory, he’s just trying to make a living.”
    “Mandy, you can dream things are the way you wish they were, but they aren’t. Truth is, Pa is restless. More concerned with scratching his restless itch than worrying about three daughters. Besides, aren’t we big enough to take care of ourselves now?”
    Levi listened shamelessly, hearing the harshness in Glory’s voice but hearing so much more beneath—a history of pain.
    Glory reminded him so strongly of Matt, whose disappointment and frustration had led to his recklessness. If someone had reached out to Matt before it was too late…
    Thank You, God, for this glimpse, this insight into what makes her tick.
    Suddenly Glory stood in the doorway. “You’re staying