Free Spirit Journey: Historical Western Cowboy Romance Novel (Dawson Chronicles Book 3) by Linda Bridey

her.
                  “We have nothing but a little bit of money and some clothes.  And a couple of horses.  That’s it.  We’re homeless and I have no idea where we’re gonna go, Skip.  None.  I feel so stupid.  I should have seen Claude for what he was, but I didn’t.  I must have been blind.”
                  He rubbed her back.  It was the first time he’d ever held a girl that way and he wondered where he’d suddenly found the courage to.  “There was no way for you to see his black heart.  But you know what?  You’re free now.”
                  “What do you mean?” she asked, enjoying the feel of his strong arms around her.
                  “You’re free of an evil man and anything that tied you to him.  It’s true that he stole a lot of money and property from you, but you have more than you think you do.  You have friends who will be faithful to you, some money, which is better than none, and clothes to wear.  You have food in your bellies and horses to ride.  By Lakota standards, you’re very rich.  That’s all they’ve needed for thousands of years.
                  Peanut thought about his statements.  It was true.  She, Jaylyn, and Annie had all they needed to survive and then some.  There were many people who were starving, who had barely any clothing to wear, and who weren’t fortunate enough to own horses at all.  They also didn’t have someone to save them from death or anyone to befriend them and keep them safe.
    She let out a shuddering sigh and drew away from him a little, looking into his beautiful, dark eyes.  “You’re right.  There are people who are more unfortunate than us and we’ll figure things out one day at a time.  There’s no rush at the moment.”
    Skip nodded.  “That’s right.  You were gonna keep traveling with us anyhow, so just keep doing that.  Live in the moment, as they say.”
    “You’re a pretty smart fella.”
    Her gaze moved over his face, touching on his well-defined cheeks, strong jaw, and his sensual male mouth.  When she looked back into his eyes, she saw that they had darkened.  Claude had looked at her that way, and her breathing quickened as she realized that Skip wanted to kiss her.  She shouldn’t have, but she wanted him to.
    Skip’s shyness rose again and he couldn’t force any more words past his lips.  Lowering his gaze, he created some space between them and took out a hanky from his pocket.
    Taking it from him, Peanut said, “I’m really tired of having to use one of these.”
    Skip said, “Things will get better.”
    He patted her shoulder, suddenly awkward around her once again.  However, when she held out a hand to him, he took it, making sure she didn’t trip as they walked back through the woods to their day camp.
     
    *****
     
                  Black Fox found Skip along the bank of the small creek they’d camped by that night.
                  “No luck?” he asked, sitting down next to him.
                  “Nope.  I’m not getting any answers.  I don’t think there are any frogs around here.”
                  Eyeing Skip’s wild hair, he said, “You look like a shaggy dog.”
                  Skip laughed.  “Yeah.  I kinda like it, though.  I never let it get long before.”
                  “I like it, too.  It makes you look even funnier than normal,” Black Fox joked.
                  “I love you, too,” Skip said sardonically.
                  He tried a couple of frog calls, but they were met with silence.
                  “Dang.  I was hoping to get at least a couple.  Peanut keeps having cravings for them and I wanted to make some for her,” Skip said.
                  “That is very kind of you,” Black Fox said.  “You like her, do you not?”
                  Skip’s