Free Melinda Heads West by Robyn Corum Page B

single moment could make you feel so many things at once: dizzy and safe, curious and wise, hungry and —
    “ … are your brothers?” Lucas was asking.
    Mindy shook herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear what you said.”
    Lucas followed her eyes to where Boone snoozed. “Never mind. It’s getting late. We better get some sleep.”
    Mindy was startled by the abrupt end to the conversation. “All right.” She turned to snuggle into the bed of soft leaves she’d made.
    “I enjoyed talking with you, Mindy.”
    Turning to study Lucas, Mindy replied, “Me too. You’re easy to talk with.” She blushed again and Lucas smiled. “Good night.”
    • • •
    When Boone awoke the next morning, there was no sign of Mindy. He glanced over to Lucas, who was adding small twigs to the fire.
    Boone leaned against the ground and twisted his body. “I could stretch a mile,” he said with a grin, “but I’d have to walk back.” His eyes turned serious. “You two have a good, long talk last night?”
    Lucas didn’t answer immediately. He poked the fire. When he looked up, his eyes were hard. “Is there anything you want to tell me about Mindy?”
    “What do you mean? Besides, the fact she’s a pain in the backside?”
    “No. If you have feelings for her. Sometimes, I get that distinct impression.”
    “Me? You know we fight like cats and dogs. It’s oil and water.”
    “I’m just letting you know that I care for her. I aim to court her when we get to town and get settled in.”
    Boone stared into Lucas’s eyes and his black eyes grew even darker. “That’s fine,” he said. “She’ll need someone to take care of her and keep her out of trouble.”
    “I need to know if that’s going to be a problem with you.”
    “Heck no!” Boone stood and dusted off his dungarees. “You’re welcome to her and good luck.” For some reason the conversation was making him ill. He felt the need to hit something again, but his skin on his hand was still cracked and broken from the last time. He flexed it. “I’m going to wash up.”
    As he walked to the water’s edge, he passed Mindy returning. She had washed the mud from her face.
    “Don’t you have more clothes in that bag of yours?” he demanded.
    “For your information, there’s only one change of clothes in there. As if it’s any of your business. I don’t see the need to destroy a second dress.”
    Boone had to admit the logic of that, but was disgruntled by the amount of leg that showed beneath her tattered hem. Fully one half of her white calves was on display. Her brown walking boots did little to cover more than her ankles.
    “Perhaps today would be a good day to change, seeing as how we’ll be getting into town,” he suggested with a grimace, imagining the looks she would receive.
    Mindy looked down to her dress and then back at Boone. “Maybe so.”
    “Do whatever you want,” he growled and continued to the stream.

Chapter Eighteen
    By midmorning, the trio heard a welcome rumbling as they walked. It turned into a minute dust cloud, which turned into a stagecoach. Salvation had arrived. Mindy’s eyes began to tear, and it took all her control not to weep with joy.
    Shorty, the wiry old man, was at the reins. He pulled the surefooted steeds to a hard stop, throwing rocks and dirt into the air. “Halloo!” he cried with a wide, snaggle-toothed smile, before leaning over the rail of the coach and spitting a brown stream of tobacco juice onto the hard soil.
    “Anybody here ready for a ride?” His smile broadened at the humor of his words.
    Mindy leaned against Lucas, gathering strength. “Yes,” she said quietly. “Yes. Thank You, Lord.”
    The two men cheered up noticeably; their backs straightened and their eyes sparkled. “Come on, darlin’,” Lucas said, “Let’s head for Tipton!” He picked Mindy up and swung her in a wide circle.
    “Put me down, you idiot!” Mindy said with glee. “You’re going to hurt yourself all over