Desperate Lola (The Mail Order Brides of Boot Creek Book 2) Read Online Free

been tied into this corset for two days straight, having slept in it on the train, and I would not tolerate another night of discomfort. Once camp had been established, Chuck having found a safe spot at the base of a canyon with water and grasses for the horses, I wandered into the juniper scrubs to change. I planned to remove the corset for comfort’s sake. All my clothing remained in my trunk, which was still aboard the broken down train.
    When I returned to camp, I eyed Mr. Brittle, pleased to see that he had a metal pot hanging over the fire. “What are you making?”
    “Sourdough biscuits and beans. I got coffee going too, if you want some.”
    He had laid out two bedrolls as well. “That sounds surprisingly good.”
    “You think, huh?” He grinned. “I probably should’ve killed something, but we’re only here one night. It’s just the two of us. A lotta meat would’ve spoiled. No sense in wasting meat. Beans will do the trick. Tomorrow night, you can have a fancy dinner with Mr. Kelly. He’s got a cook who’ll make you Curried Lamb or Apple Tartlets or something.” He looked thoughtful, smiling. “Darn, that sure sounds good right about now.”
    “It does.”
    “Wonder how I can beg my way in for that meal?”
    I was loath to admit it, but Chuck Brittle’s company had been enjoyable. He had an appealing sense of humor, and he was thoughtful to my needs, having set out my bedding. Sitting on the thin blanket, I gazed at the fire. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
    “I got it under control.” He held out a tin cup. “Coffee.”
    “Thank you.”
    “It’s not as hot as before. Sorry, but there’s no cream or sugar.”
    “That’s all right.” I took a sip, the fluid sliding down my throat. “Not bad.”
    “Have you ever traveled on horseback?”
    “No.”
    “It’s not something most women care to do, although lots did coming out west.”
    “The gold rush?”
    “Yeah.”
    “There were several, from what I recall.”
    “Yes, there were.”
    “Aren’t they still mining?”
    “In the mountains in Colorado, yes. Silver.”
    “Ah.”
    He busied himself with supper, the beans bubbling in the flattened pan, while the biscuits cooked in another. “It smells nice.”
    “Typical cowboy supper, but it’ll keep you satisfied and alive.”
    “Do you have a wife?”
    That question startled him, because he blinked. “No.”
    “Why not?”
    “Too busy working.”
    I watched him bustle back and forth, ladling out a portion of beans onto a metal plate. After he added the biscuit, he handed it to me. “Here you go. Here’s a fork.”
    “Thank you.” I bowed my head. “Lord, thank you for the meal we’re about to eat. Bless us with your grace, so that we may arrive at our destination in peace and safety. Please watch over us tonight, and keep us from harm. Amen.”
    “Amen.”
    We spoke little while we ate, the food tasting surprisingly good, although the biscuits were a touch too hard. Mr. Brittle sat on his bedroll with his legs crossed before him, his mouth working as he chewed. The food filled my belly, but it also left me tired, my body realizing it could sleep easily on the thin, yet clean bedding.
    “What do you think those people are doing on the train now?”
    “Being taken back to Santa Fe.”
    “Why didn’t I stay then? It seems strange to be traveling in such a manner, when all I had to do was wait for another train.”
    He shrugged, but I got the sense there was something more he would not reveal. “You’ll arrive in Boot Creek faster this way.”
    “If you say so.” I did not want to meet my fiancé smelling like campfire and sweat, with dark circles beneath my eyes, but it seemed inevitable. “I think I’ll go wash up. I’ll clean the plate while I’m at it.” Getting to my feet, I had his attention. “Should I take the pan too?”
    “No, ma’am.” He grinned, exposing a mouthful of food. “You’re my guest on this adventure, and you’re not