Free Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams 1) by Lori Wick

let the matter drop, but it stayed on his mind. Trace, on the other hand, had been completely up front with his feelings and didn't give it another thought. If Rylan's interest was suddenly turning toward Cassidy, he'd be very surprised indeed.
    Doctor Ertz was not overly concerned about Meg's pains. He was glad she'd checked with him, but he did not think there was anything to panic over. Getting closer to town might be a good idea, but he didn't think it was time for that just yet.
    Meg and Brad were both glad for his opinion but realized it didn't answer their questions about when Meg should move to town, if at all.
    "We'll figure it out," Brad said, walking Meg across the street
    68so she could pick up some things at Wheeler's. "And you'll have to stay rested."
    Meg's mind went to work on the changes she could make in her daily routine, not even seeing that Brad was holding the door for her once they'd reached the store.
    "Oh, my, Meg," he said quietly, smiling at her.
    "What?"
    "You're plotting or thinking."
    Meg bit her lip, her eyes brimming with a smile.
    "Am I right?" Brad pressed.
    "Yes," Meg forced herself to admit before slipping inside the store. She had a long list and wanted to get to it, but her concerns about finding ways to have more rest were real. Predictable and caught by her husband or not, it was something they would have to discuss.
    "You'd better get to the livery," Jeanette told Cassidy on Wednesday afternoon. "Meg will wonder where you are."
    Cassidy noticed the time and realized she was right. With a few last-minute instructions, Cassidy headed toward the livery and found Mr. Stillwell in attendance.
    "Hello, Mr. Stillwell," Cassidy greeted the livery owner. "How are you?"
    "I'm fine, Miss Norton. Here for your rig?"
    "Yes," Cassidy answered, wondering where Rylan was and wishing she could ask.
    "I'll have it for you in just a few minutes."
    Cassidy thanked him and learned in a hurry that his idea of a few minutes was not hers. About thirty minutes later than her usual
    time-and wishing she had asked if she could ready the rig herself- Cassidy finally headed for the Holden Ranch.
    69
    Meg and Trace sat on the front porch, watching for Cassidy's buggy. She was running late today, and Trace felt disappointment fill him. He'd been planning this for two days, and Cassidy's not being on time had never occurred to him.
    "Are you going to ask or tell?" Meg wanted to know.
    Trace smiled and said, "How does 'strongly suggest' sound?" Meg smiled at her brother-in-law, thinking he was almost as sweet as her husband.
    "You don't mind, do you, Meg?" Trace asked.
    "Not at all. We are talking about Cassidy's safety here. How could I object to that?"
    Before Trace could reply, he spotted the buggy. He met her before she could climb down and helped her alight.
    "Change in plans today," Trace said, glad that Meg had come off the porch to join them.
    "What's up?" Cassidy asked.
    "Shooting first, sewing later."
    Cassidy looked at Trace, then Meg, and back to Trace. Finally she asked of Meg, "Is he serious?"
    "He is."'
    "Why do I need to learn to shoot?" Cassidy asked Trace, feeling she needed to add, "I don't own a gun."
    "We'll work on that detail later," Trace said with complete calm. "You need to know how to protect yourself"
    Cassidy looked as though she wanted to say something, but no words came out.
    "What's the hesitation?" Trace asked, not wanting to railroad her but convinced this was necessary.
    "Guns are a little scary."
    "I don't think you'll feel that way when you've learned to handle one."
    70Cassidy looked at him a moment. "Meg," she finally asked her, friend, "do you know how to shoot?"
    Meg nodded. "Brad taught me."
    Cassidy's gaze dropped to Meg's stomach. "You'll be in the house, far away from all of this, right?"
    "Yes," Meg said with a laugh, and Trace took that as agreement.
    "Okay," he wasted no time in saying, "you take your things inside, Cassie. I'll see to your horse and come for you as soon