Free The Heart of a Soiled Dove by Sarah Jae Foster

course.” Desiring a lighter mood and subject, she asked, “So, you think we’ve it in us to start a cattle ranch?”
    “We have that and more.”

    Aurora was renewed with purpose and approached home exhausted from the day’s ride, and she had no patience for Emmy’s strong will – which she knew she’d encounter upon seeing her all dressed up, heading to the barn. She peeled off her riding gloves. “Is that a new dress, Emmy?”
    “It is. Like it?” She spun around.
    “That shade of blue suits you perfectly. You seem to be heading off somewhere?”
    “I’m going to town.”
    Aurora looked at her with apprehension. “By yourself?”
    “I’ll be fine. I only take the main roads. I’ll see you later.”
    Only the main roads… how often does she go?
    Luke had heard their exchange and cast an odd look at Emmy and her departure, then walked up to Aurora. Proudly, he held two wild birds. “Got our dinner tonight.”
    “I see that. You expecting me to pluck them?”
    “Well, it is women’s work.”
    She took a threatening step towards him and he pretended to be afraid. “But I can see if Carrie Anne is up to doing it.”
    She thrust out her hands. “Give me those birds.”
    He laughed and handed them over. “Just take it out on them, not me, would ya?”
    “We’ll see about that. Don’t you have some work to do or something?”
    He tipped his hat towards her. “Yep, and I’ll be back for dinner.”
    Jed stopped by during supper and was invited to partake of the meal, though it was obvious he was in a hurry. “Where’s Emmy?”
    Aurora was surprised at the glare Luke pierced him with.
    “She went to town,” Aurora said. “Although I don’t know what for.”
    Jed choked on some meat and held up a greasy hand. “Apologize, must have been a bone.”
    Luke grew increasingly quiet and Roman and Carrie Anne were oblivious to anything but each other. Jed shoveled a spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth and washed it down with well water.
    “Obliged for the supper. I hate to go but I’ve other business to attend to.”
    A minute after his departure Luke excused himself from the table. Aurora became attuned to the awkwardness and went to listen in on their conversation. She didn’t like conspiracy or secrets and planned on finding out what was going on beneath her nose.
    Luke was speaking to Jed. “Watch yourself.”
    “You threatening me?”
    “You know I’m not. I just don’t want these women hurt, alright?”
    Aurora risked peeking out the curtain, her skin crawling with suspicion.
    “Who’s hurtin’ them? Just having a little fun is all. And it surely ain’t as though I’m acting alone.” He reached down from the horse he was mounted on and slapped Luke on the shoulder in a jesting way. “Seems to me you’d wanna get in on it, too.” Jed looked towards the house and Aurora threw herself against the wall. “Course, maybe you’re saving your options.”
    “Just get out of here, Jed.”
    “See ya around.”
    After that, Luke had said a quick good night and stayed away the rest of the evening.

    By morning it was snowing. Aurora thought she would love snow after Carrie Anne’s description of winters back home, all the sledding, hot cider and sleigh rides. But coldness was certainly not Aurora’s friend and she was having second thoughts. Peering out, she did have to admit its beauty – lacy floating flakes and white pureness covering the ground like a blanket. Aurora heard wood being dumped onto the front porch and figured Roman made the deposit. She was not opposed to working herself, but it would be silly if she didn’t like being cared for by the men in her life. However, the setback from lack of work was boredom.
    Emmy came down the stairs holding her head and squinting her eyes.
    “You alright, Em?” It was almost noon and Aurora was getting miffed at her sleeping in everyday. But what could she do? There were hardly chores to do with the men here, now winter up and