Free Ambush of the Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone

said, scrambling to her feet and smoothing her dress down over her hips. “I’m going to go on a diet right away.”
    â€œNow sweetheart . . .” Smoke began, knowing from past experience that when Sally dieted, everyone dieted. It was not a pleasant experience by any means.
    She turned her back to him and began fussing with the leftover biscuits and sausage patties on the counter. “You’d better get a move on, Smoke,” she said, her voice still cool and flat. “Pearlie said there were lots of supplies you needed to go get from town.”
    Smoke sighed. He’d really put his foot in it this time. Why were women so sensitive about their weight? he thought. Men weren’t.
    He got up from the table and put his guns on. As he got ready to leave, he walked over and put his arms around her from behind, holding her breasts as he leaned down to kiss the back of her neck.
    â€œYou don’t need to diet, darling,” he whispered, hoping she’d relent and give him a reason to put off his trip to town. “You’ve got the best figure in the territory.”
    â€œOr at least the biggest,” she finished, her body stiff in his arms and her neck red and flushed.
    He sighed and left the kitchen. Maybe she’d be in a better mood when he got back from Big Rock with the supplies. Maybe he’d get lucky and she’d forget all this nonsense about her needing to diet.
    As he walked over to the bunkhouse, he chuckled. Pearlie was going to be mighty disappointed if Sally refused to make any more pies or bear sign for a while, that was for sure.
    Â 
    Â 
    Smoke rode his big Palouse stud while Cal and Pearlie rode in the buckboard. Pearlie, after talking to the men he’d left in charge while they went on their jaunt up to Canada, found they were in dire need of several rolls of wire, some nails, and various other assorted supplies to make the repairs that always seemed to be necessary to keep a ranch in good order.
    As they rode into town, Smoke said, “I got some bad news, boys.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Cal asked.
    â€œSally thinks she’s getting fat, so she’s going to go on a diet.”
    â€œWhat?” Pearlie exclaimed. He remembered the last time Miss Sally went on a diet. He’d about turned into a rabbit, they’d eaten so many salads and greens and carrots. “Please don’t tell me that, Smoke,” he said, a pained look on his face. “I was just getting used to having home cooking again.” He rubbed his stomach. “I don’t know if I can stand to go back to eating all them greens again.”
    â€œYou and me both, pal,” Smoke said as they pulled up in front of the general store.
    When they entered, Cal saw what he thought was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen in his life behind the counter. Her hair was long and fell down over her shoulders, and framed a face that belonged to an angel.
    â€œHello, sir,” she said with a smile when she saw him gawking at her. “What can I get for you?”
    â€œUh . . . er . . . ” he stuttered, not knowing what to say since he’d plumb forgotten why they were there. All he could think of was how pretty she was and why had he never seen her before.
    â€œHello, miss,” Smoke said, moving toward the counter. “You must be Sarah Johnson.”
    Sarah’s eyes narrowed and a slight flush appeared on her cheeks. “Do I know you, sir?” she asked, her voice hardening and her neck stiffening.
    Smoke held up his hands, a flush appearing on his face at her reaction. “I didn’t mean to give offense, Miss Johnson,” he said quickly, looking around to see if Peg or Ed Jackson was around to rescue him. “It’s just that my wife, Sally Jensen, said she met you on the train the other day, and she told me to tell you hello when we got here.”
    Sarah’s eyes stayed hard for a moment, and then she made a