The Trailrider's Fortune Read Online Free

finally succeeded in boring her into a light doze.
Then sly fingers on her knee snapped her back to attention.
    She brushed at
Brooks' hand, but it settled right back into place on her leg. His voice changed,
became silky in her ear. "What's a pretty little gal like you doing on
this stage unescorted, Miss?"
    "Going to
Wichita, same as you," she informed him stiffly, removing his hand again. "Unless
you've made an error. In which case, you should ask the driver to let you out.
Put your hand on me again, Mr. Brooks, and I'll ask him for you."
    "To the vast
relief of everyone within earshot," muttered the man across the way. His
jowls shook as he finally addressed the troublemaker. "I don't believe
this lady's itinerary is your concern. I'd ask that you comport yourself like a
proper gentleman."
    "I don't
believe our discussion is any of your funeral, Fleshy," Brooks retorted,
glancing at the older man's paunch.
    "Well, I
never!" gasped the man's wife.
    "Imagine that's
true," Brooks snorted. "I've seen plucked chickens with more meat
than you, Missus. Luckily, not every female aboard suffers from the bony
uglies." He winked at Sparkle.
    Time for the lie
that always got men's goats. "Mr. Brooks, I'm a married woman, on my way
to reunite with my husband. I hope you don't intend to make a pest of yourself.
He isn't the understanding sort. He won't be pleased to learn you've made bold
with me."
    "Ha, you don't
look like a married gal," Brooks scoffed. "Married women don't appeal
to me. I can smell the taint of a boring husband a mile off. You, on the other
hand, are quite appealing, Miss…?"
    "I'm not going
to introduce myself," Sparkle informed him, sidestepping the trap he'd
laid for her. "As I will no longer be in your acquaintance as soon as this
stage reaches town. I seldom visit the pharmacy."
    Brooks contented
himself with pretending to steady her shoulders by sitting entirely too close.
Sparkle was irritated by every move he made, but grateful that at least she'd
found a way to keep him quiet.
    They pulled onto
the main street in Wichita and Sparkle craned her neck to stare out the side
window. There were always men wandering around town this time of the afternoon.
She could hear Dem Golden Slippers being played badly inside the Rusty
Nail as they swept past. The street offered the usual wiry cowpokes and dusty
stragglers. Then she spotted a familiar profile. The answer to her prayers,
just coming out of the bank.
    He glanced right at
her as the coach rattled by. Sparkle again noted the rugged features and square
jaw. Wavy dark hair grazed the collar of a faded denim shirt. His movements
were languid, yet somehow bolder than those of the other males ambling down the
sidewalk. And there was the reason:  that peacemaker slung low on his right
hip.
    Oh, but she was
going to enjoy watching Joe Brooks run for cover when he met her
"husband."

CHAPTER 3
     
    The instant the
coach came to a stop, Sparkle flew out of it and jerked the handle of her
satchel away from the driver. Hitching up her skirts, she dashed into the
swirling dust of the street, dodging a throng of riders on horseback. She
dropped her bag on the wooden sidewalk and threw her arms around Rafe's neck.
    "Lord, but I
missed you, Mr. Conley."
    She glanced back to
verify Joe Brooks was watching. "I can't tell you how awful that
stagecoach ride was! There was a codfish aristocrat seated next to me, making
an absolute pest of himself. He didn't believe me when I said my husband was
meeting me here."
    Rafe flashed her a
wicked smile, then curled his arms around her waist and pulled her against him
for a long, slow, very friendly kiss. Sparkle was mortified, but had no choice
but to play the adoring wife. She allowed Rafe to explore her mouth, then
peered up into his eyes with a silent plea for help.
    He followed the
inclination of her head to check out the man watching them. Rafe picked up her
satchel and pulled Sparkle close to his side. "Sorry you had a rough