Westward Moon Read Online Free Page B

them?  It’s dark and you can’t see if they’re in good shape.  They might already be old and used up.  They might be lame or have some other sickness that can be spread through the herd.  I’d sooner pay for a good horse than steal a bad one that’s no good to me.”
                  Jack smiled as he watched the exchange between his father and his cousin.  Reckless was getting a dose of Dean’s logic and he could see the wheels turning in Reckless’ mind.  Dean said no more about the subject, which was just like him.  He’d get someone thinking and then let them alone to their thoughts. 
                  The weather held for them until they were just over the state line into Wyoming.  A heavy snow moved through the area along with high winds.  The roads were drifted shut in some places and they were forced to wait a couple of days before moving on.  Any time there was a delay, Jack was impatient and irritable.  He didn’t sleep a lot at night and was always ready to leave first in the mornings.
                  When they were moving again, his mood lifted and he was able to have some fun as they traveled.  Jack hoped that Sparrow and her friend, Sasha, were safe and that they weren’t having any difficulties.  He didn’t want to keep them waiting and he didn’t want to wait any longer than necessary to see Sparrow again.
     
                  Sasha and Sparrow were indeed having a hard time of it.  They, too, had to wait out the storm.  Even when the weather cleared, the snow-drifted roads made traveling with the carriage difficult because the wheels got stuck.  The horses were strong and were able to pull out of some of the drifts, but other times it was necessary to dig them out.  It was an arduous task and slowed their progress. 
                  Sparrow never complained, however.  Every mile they traveled was one more closer to Jack and that was all that mattered to her.  She would deal with the cold and snow if it meant reuniting with him.  As they made their way to the rendezvous location, Sparrow tried to keep her face hidden with her bonnet as much as possible so that people didn’t realize that she was Lakota.  There were some establishments that would not have let her stay there.  Also, if Panther tried to track her by asking locals along the way about her, no one would have seen her.
                  Sasha wasn’t sure they were going to make it to Riverton by the designated date, but if Jack loved Sparrow as much as the girl had told her, he would wait.  
     
                  The three men arrived in Riverton on the 14 th of December and Jack immediately went to the hotel there to inquire after Sasha.  He knew better than to mention Sparrow because it would have been dangerous to do so.  The hotel clerk didn’t have Sasha registered, however.
                  Dean and Reckless had waited for him.  They could tell from Jack’s disappointed expression that the women hadn’t arrived yet. 
                  “I hope they’re ok,” he said as they rode their horses to the town stable.
                  Dean said, “They probably got held up by the weather, son.  We did arrive a little early, too.”
                  “If they’re not here by tomorrow, I’m goin’ after them,” Jack said.
                  “Jack, you don’t know which route they took.  They might get here and you wouldn’t know it because you went a different way.  I know you want to see her, Jack, but you have to keep a level head here.  Be patient a little longer,” Dean said.
                  Reckless said, “If they do not show up, I will go after them.  You stay.  That way if they come, you are here to greet them.  I will only go so far and if I do not see them, I will come back.”
                  Jack nodded.  “That’s a