Free Mona Hodgson - [Hearts Seeking Home 01] by Prairie Song Page B

it?”
    “Why would I want to spoil the surprise?” Caleb grinned, half expecting to see a biscuit flying at him.
    “I was surprised, all right.” Tiny wrinkled his nose, lifting his generous chin. “What is this uh … concoction?”
    “Bacon and potato soup.” Caleb looked at the bread Frank held. “And sourdough biscuits, I think.”
    Garrett chuckled, sloshing coffee over the sides of his cup. “You’ll need a woman to cook for you when you get where you’re goin’.”
    “Humph!” No woman who knew the truth would have anything to do with him.
    Frank tapped his biscuit on the front of the log. “What, you’re not the marrying kind?”
    “I’m not.” Caleb lifted his spoon and watched his bland soup plop into the bowl in globs. “But first thing when I get to the other end, I’ll hire a cook.”
    “Uh, Caleb, you didn’t tell the boss about those two young women you had to track down.”
    He followed Tiny’s gaze to the corner of the supply wagon, where Anna Goben stood facing him, wrapped in a shawl.
    “What’s this?” Garrett dropped his biscuit into the soup. “We’ve already had folks wandering?”
    “Not exactly.” Caleb blinked. She was still there. “They were delayed saying good-byes.”
    “You reminded them of the rules?”
    “I did.” Something about the Company’s policy. Authority. Their safety not being a laughing matter. That had to be why Miss Goben was standing there, looking at him. She’d come to him for her apology. Or to chew him out. Either way, he couldn’t keep her waiting.
    When Caleb started to stand, she shook her head and pointed to the man with his back to her. She’d come to see Boney Hughes.

    Anna’s heart pounded. She needed to clear the air between her and Boney. That was why she’d come to the captain’s camp. But seeing Caleb Reger had only made matters worse. His smile when he’d seen her standing there. The way the corners of his mouth had fallen when she pointed toward Boney.
    Boney took quick steps toward her and removed the floppy hat from his head. “Are you all right?”
    “Fine. Thank you.”
    “Otto?” His eyes widened. “Is it your mother?”
    “No. She’s fine. They’re fine. We all are.” Anna moistened her lips. “Thank you.”
    Boney looked down, studying his hat.
    Anna drew in a deep breath. “We haven’t talked.”
    “We’re talkin’ now.”
    “Not about my canceling the wedding.”
    “Oh.”
    “I wouldn’t hurt you for the world.”
    Boney reached for her hand. “I meant what I said that day, Anna. I really do understand.”
    She appreciated the warmth, given that she’d left her gloves packed away in the wagon. But she didn’t feel any tingles or chills like what Emilie described feeling with her husband, Quaid, or Maren with Rutherford.
    “You were kind, noble even, making the announcement.”
    Boney chuckled. “Believe me, I wasn’t bein’ noble.” He met her gaze. “When you said Dedrick was the connection we shared, not a romantical kind of love, I knew you were right. We weren’t meant to marry.” His sigh spoke peace into the comfortable silence between them.
    Anna nodded. “Thank you.”
    “Happy to oblige, ma’am.”
    His bow made her smile. Boney would make a fine husband one day.
    Straightening, he set his flop hat back on his head. “Your mother did well today?”
    “Yes! She spent most of the day riding on the seat, but she seemed to enjoy looking around.”
    “That’s a relief.”
    “For me too.” Anna let out a full breath. “I know we haven’t gone far yet, but I really think this trip is the best thing for us.”
    “You had to do something.”
    She nodded. “Boney, my brother cared for you deeply. I do too … as a dear friend.”
    His crooked grin showed itself. “The feeling is mutual. You deserve a man who will care for you out of that deeper love you’re lookin’ for.”
    A shiver ran up her spine, and she pulled her shawl tighter.
    “One more thing,