by Linda Bridey
“You’re not angry?” She was finally able to look at him.
He brushed away her tears. “No. I’m going to miss you like crazy, but I’m not mad. I love you, and when you really love someone, you don’t stand in the way of their dreams. If this is what you want, then I’ll support you.”
She embraced him tightly. “You’re always on my side.”
“And I always will be.”
Laying her head on his shoulder, Emily said, “It’s only for two years.”
Only? It sounds like a lifetime to me. “I can wait two years.”
Drawing back, Emily met his gaze. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” He dragged her over onto his lap. “I’d wait as long as it took. I might hate it, but I’d do it.”
She cocked her head at him. “Why do you love me? I argue with you, I get you in trouble, and I don’t know when to shut up.”
Bobby smiled. “Yeah, but you have a lot of good qualities, too.”
“Like what?”
He frowned in concentration and then confusion. “You’re right. What am I thinking?”
Emily let out a scream as he pushed her off his legs into the bathing pool. She went under and came up to hear Bobby laughing.
“Bobcat! You’re a dead man! You just wait until I get out of here! This was a new skirt, too, damn it!” she hollered, her face red with the force of her anger. “I can’t get out of here with this thing on.”
Bobby was weak with laughter as she floundered around in the water. Emily quickly reached behind her, undid her skirt, and pulled her legs up out of it. She flung it out of the water before lifting herself out of the pool, making a beeline for Bobby, who sprinted away. In only her blouse and pantalets, Emily sped after Bobby into the camp.
Marcus sat at the central fire with Claire and Black Fox as the young couple raced by them.
“Huh. I wonder what that’s all about,” Marcus said.
Claire laughed. “It must have something to do with Emily being soaked. Bobby must have dunked her.”
Black Fox chuckled and took a bite of his brownie as he looked after Bobby and Emily.
Marcus said, “Wow! Look at Emily go. Wait. Where’s she going?”
The girl had veered out of sight, making the trio curious about where she’d gone. They soon had their answer when she reappeared in their line of sight galloping full-out on one of their Indian ponies. They erupted in laughter at her ingenuity as she bore down swiftly on Bobby.
There was a collective gasp as they saw Emily lean off the horse as she closed in on her prey and fall on Bobby when she was near enough. They went down together on the grass near the entrance of the trail leading to Emily’s home. After they rolled over several times, Emily ended up on top. She threw up her arms and let out a victory yell while Bobby laughed.
Black Fox started to laugh and a piece of the brownie got stuck in his throat, making him cough. Marcus thumped his back.
“Easy, brother. I keep telling you all those desserts are gonna kill you. Seems like I might be onto something.”
Black Fox swatted his hand away. “Stop! I am fine.”
They watched Bobby pick Emily up, sling her across his shoulder, and disappear into the trees.
Claire giggled. “I wonder what they’re going to say up there about Emily coming home only half-dressed.”
Black Fox grinned. “I will find out tomorrow and let you know.”
*****
Lacey sat out on the veranda with Randall and Timmy. The thirteen-year-old boy strummed on his guitar and hummed along.
He stopped. “What the hell?”
Randall sat close enough to smack the back of his head. “Watch your language, young man.”
Timmy absently rubbed his head as they watched Bobby come toward them carrying Emily across the huge lawn. Lacey got up when she saw that Emily was scantily clad and that what clothes she did have on were dirty and grass stained.
Lacey started down off the veranda. “Emily! Are you all right?”
Emily grinned as Bobby put her down. “I’m fine, Mama. I just went for an unexpected swim, thanks to a certain someone,” she said, elbowing Bobby.
He laughed. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.”
Randall cleared his throat, drawing the brave’s attention. “Timmy, go inside.”
Timmy scowled up at him. “Why? I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I know, but go inside anyway,” Randall said.
“But, I wanna see—”
“Timothy!”
Randall’s tone of voice told Timmy he meant business. He stomped off into the house, grumbling to himself.
Lacey said, “Emily, go to your room and put on some clothes, please.”
“Mama, we were just playing around.”
Lacey pointed and now Emily went inside while arguing with her mother, who followed her.
“Now, Bobcat, perhaps you can tell me why you brought Miss Emily home without her skirt.” Randall said.
Bobby sobered at the stern look on Randall’s face. “Uh, well, it was a joke.”
“Removing a girl’s skirt is rarely a joke,” Randall said.
“I didn’t take it off. She did,” Bobby said, rushing to clear up the confusion. “I just pushed her into the water.”
Randall arched an eyebrow. “And why would you push a fully clothed person into the water?”
“Because it was funny. I mean, we were talking and I teased her and then pushed her into the water,” Bobby said. He knew he was digging himself into a deeper hole.
“Mmm hmm. So you agitated her and then pushed her in the river.”
“No! Not the river! The bathing pool,” Bobby said. “We were sitting there talking and she asked me why I loved her when she argues with me and gets me in trouble and stuff like that. And I said she has other good qualities. She wanted to know what they were. I said I didn’t know and pushed her into the bathing pool.”
Randall crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head. “You’re not helping your cause.”
Bobby’s shoulders sagged. “It’s one of those things that you have to be there to understand.”
“Apparently so. When did her skirt come off?”
“She couldn’t get out of the pool, so she took it off,” Bobby said.
“So, not only did you push her in, but you also wouldn’t help her out.”
Bobby made a frustrated noise. “It wasn’t like that. I couldn’t stop laughing to help her, so she took it off and got out. That’s when she chased me across camp and jumped off a horse to get back at me.”
Randall hid a smile. “That’s certainly an unusual type of revenge.”
“Well, she couldn’t catch me, so she took one of the Indian ponies and chased me on it. When she caught up to me, she jumped off it and landed on top of me.”
“Oh, I see. Well, that certainly clears that up,” Randall said. “You truly love her, don’t you?”
Bobby smiled. “Yeah.”
“And wouldn’t you agree that she’s a lot of fun?”
His smile widened. “Yeah.”
“And very beautiful?”
“Yeah.”
“Especially without her skirt.”
“Yeah.” Bobby’s eyes bugged out. “No! That’s not what I meant! She’s just as beautiful with it on. I mean, I wasn’t trying to get her out of her skirt.”
Randall’s control slipped and he let out a loud laugh over Bobby’s discomfort while Bobby stood uncertainly before him.
“Go home, Bobby,” Randall said, still laughing. “But no more bringing her home half-dressed.”
“Yes, sir,” Bobby said, jogging back towards camp. I can’t win. If Emily is involved, I’m gonna get in trouble. Then he started laughing to himself, thinking that any trouble he got into over Emily was worth it just to be with her. Nothing was ever dull with her around and he wouldn’t change her for anything.
Randall watched him go as Joe came outside.
; “Why did Emily come home with only half of her clothes on and looking like a drowned rat?” he asked.
Randall snickered. “It involves the bathing pool and jumping off horses.”
“What? What are you talkin’ about?”
Randall sat back down on a chaise lounge. “I’ll explain it to you if you go get us a drink.”
Joe looked at the sunroom and opened his mouth.
“No, no! Chet is off duty,” Randall said. “You go get it.”
Joe rolled his eyes, but did as he’d been told.
Randall grinned to himself. “People think that the rich people are the ones in charge, but they’re wrong. It’s the butler. Forget mama; if the butler ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” He chuckled to himself as Joe returned and handed him a tumbler of scotch.
Joe sat down. “Ok, now what happened?”
“Well, you see…”
The End
******
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Linda's other books
Echo Canyon Bride series
Montana Rescue (Echo Canyon Brides Book 1)
Montana Bargain (Echo Canyon Brides: Book 2)
Montana Adventure (Echo Canyon Brides: Book 3)
Montana Luck (Echo Canyon Brides Book 4)
Montana Fire (Echo Canyon Brides Book 5)
Montana Hearts (Echo Canyon Brides Book 6)
Montana Christmas (Echo Canyon Brides Book 7)
Montana Orphan (Echo Canyon Brides Book 8)
Montana Surprise (Echo Canyon Brides Book 9)
Westward Series Books
Westward Winds (Montana Mail Order brides Book 1)FREE BOOK
Westward Dance (Montana Mail Order brides Book 2)
Westward Bound (Montana Mail Order brides Book 3)
Westward Destiny (Montana Mail Order brides Book 4)
Westward Fortune (Montana Mail Order brides Book 5)
Westward Justice (Montana Mail Order brides Book 6)
Westward Dreams (Montana Mail Order brides Book 7)
Westward Holiday (Montana Mail Order brides Book 8)
Westward Sunrise (Montana Mail Order brides Book 9)
Westward Moon (Montana Mail Order brides Book 10)
Westward Christmas (Montana Mail Order brides Book 11)
Westward Visions (Montana Mail Order brides Book 12)
Westward Secrets (Montana Mail Order brides Book 13)
Westward Changes (Montana Mail Order brides Book 14)
Westward Heartbeat (Montana Mail Order brides Book 15)
Westward Joy (Montana Mail Order brides Book 16)
Westward Courage (Montana Mail Order brides Book 17)
Westward Spirit (Montana Mail Order brides Book 18)
Westward Fate (Montana Mail Order brides Book 19)
Westward Hope (Montana Mail Order brides Book 20)
Westward Wild (Montana Mail Order brides Book 21)
Westward Sight (Montana Mail Order brides Book 22)
Westward Horizons (Montana Mail Order brides Book 23)
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Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
Bonus: The Courtship of Emily and Bobby: Episode 2
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Linda's other books
Cast of Characters
Copyright
Cast of Characters
Tim Dwyer-son of Joe and Lacey Dwyer
Renee Keller- Switch and Hope Keller’s daughter
Switch and Hope Keller
Skip Keller-Renee’s younger brother
Jethro Keller-Renee’s older brother
Sawyer Samuels-owns the Shutter Shoppe
Devon Samuels-Sawyer’s wife
Dr. Marcus Samuels-Head doctor at Dawson Community Hospital
Dr. Mike Samuels-Marcus’ nephew
Chief Black Fox
Raven Dwyer and Zoe Dwyer-Hailey and Dusty’s parents
Dusty Dwyer- Raven’s son
Hailey Dwyer- Raven’s daughter
Joe and Lacey Dwyer
Joey and Snow Song Dwyer
Kyle Dwyer-Son of Joe and Lacey Dwyer
Art Perrone- Kyle’s buddy from the war
Minx-Reckless’ sister
Emily Night Sky-Joe and Lacey’s daughter
Jasmine Night Sky-Bobby and Emily’s daughter
Hunter Night Sky- Jasmine’s younger brother
Brown Otter- Black Fox’s son-in-law
Matt “Mac” Mackenzie
Randy Cooper-son of Chester and Letty Cooper
Randall and Edwina Cranston
Cora Ambrose-Joe and Lacey’s cook and friend
Jake Henderson
Andy Henderson-Jake’s son
Mitch Taylor
Shawn Taylor
Dash- Skip’s draft mule
Copyright
© 2015 by Linda Bridey
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, or places is purely coincidental.
First Printing, 2015
