Free June by Lori Copeland

Now, if you'll excuse me, I don't believe we have anything more to discuss. I have work to do-unless, of course, you can't find your way back to Inman's camp, in which case I'll have one of my men drive you."
    Why-the man had more gall than starched long johns! June straightened, refusing to let him shake her. "I am perfectly capable of driving myself back, thank you."
    "I'm sure you are." Parker turned and walked off. Seething, she watched him disappear into the office and shut the door.
    So that was it. He was mad at Reverend Inman. Eli had said as much, but if Parker thought for one moment his mean spirit would deter her work for the tabernacle, he had another think coming. His obstinacy only made her that much more determined to succeed. She would start Sunday services for women and children-if not at Pine Ridge, then at some other camp-with or without his approval.
    Logging camps were all alike. The needs were the same, and she felt now, more than ever, that leading a morning worship service was something she needed to do. The Lord said to pick up the cross and follow him. He didn't say it would always be easy to carry or that she wouldn't meet any Parker Sentells along the way.

    Climbing back into the buggy, she spotted a lumberjack leaving Parker's office. Springing to her feet, she called out, "Sir? Excuse me. Can you help me?"
    The man glanced up, smiling. June shivered. All the men in this camp were giants. This one was even taller than Parker Sentell, if that was possible.
    As the logger approached, she encountered a pair of earnest brown eyes. When he spoke, the manly rumble made her think of rich, warm honey. "Yes, ma'am?"
    "Where's the next nearest logging camp?"
    He paused, glancing toward the west. "Tin Cup, about a mile up the road."
    Smiling, she turned the buggy. "Thank you!"
    "Ma'am," he called, "you don't want to go there! It's no place for a lady-"
    "Thank you," she called gaily. "But it's exactly where this lady wants to go!"

     

Chapter Five
    THE buggy rattled along the rutted road, jarring June's skull. Surely the kind lumberjack had pointed her in the wrong direction. Might as well turn back. But ... perhaps it's just around the next bend....
    As she debated with herself, she finally spotted an obscured, weathered sign reading "Tin Cup."
    Breathing a sigh of relief, June trotted the horse through the crudely built log arch.
    The difference between Pine Ridge and Tin Cup was shocking. A foul odor met her nose and stung her eyes. As the buggy rolled farther into camp, she was sickened by the deplorable living conditions.
    Moldering garbage dumps fouled the air with a rotting stench. Trash littered the ground-slivers of broken bottles, discarded tins, and pieces of broken furniture. Pigs and dogs ran loose. Chickens roosted on housetops.

    Houses consisted of ragged tents and unkempt shacks. The area reminded June of the aftermath of a bad storm that had once torn through Cold Water.
    The buggy rolled deeper into camp. June saw a small, barefoot boy dart out, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Stranger's a-comin'!" The child quickly ducked back into one of the shacks, where a woman peered curiously from behind tattered curtains. When June looked her way, she quickly allowed the material to drop back into place.
    The camp was eerily quiet for a Monday. No piercing saws or rattling chains, or logs rolling toward the river. June glanced over her shoulder as the sound of men's laughter, tongues thick with drink, floated from a nearby tent.
    She swallowed. What was this place?
    Whirling to look behind her, June considered turning the buggy in search of a more civilized camp.
    A man's head suddenly appeared in the opening of the tent flap. His frowning glance swept the camp, coming to a halt on June and the buggy. His eyes narrowed.
    June's heart pounded. Gripping the reins, she ran her tongue over her dry lips. She had made a huge mistake. She should have listened to the logger who had warned her not to