Free Appaloosa Blues (Sisters of Spirit #8) by Nancy Radke Page A

astride a long-legged Appaloosa gelding that had a small smattering of spots across an otherwise dark brown coat. He looked the picture of a typical movie cowboy, with brightly checked red shirt, tan hat and blue jeans. No wonder he had captured her sister's heart if he met her out riding looking like that. Yet he still wasn't as handsome as Adam.
    There was a worried, desperate expression in Johnny's eyes that reminded Jo of Karen's. He was as anxious as her sister, his face frozen in uncertainty. She had to talk to Adam.
    "Well?" Johnny pleaded as she opened the gate to let Mike drive through.
    "Like I told Karen, I'll talk—"
    "Yo!" Before she could say more, Johnny sprang from the saddle, spun her around in a circle and set her back down. "G'morning, Mike," he shouted, keeping one arm around Jo, holding her against his lanky frame as he spoke.
    "Hello to you." Mike answered, puzzled. "What gives?"
    "Jo's going to fix everything up for me and Karen," he declared, exuberantly. "Aren't you, Jo?"
    "How's that?" Mike asked, looking skeptical.
    "Simple." Johnny answered for her. "Jo's going to shoot down all opposition—namely Grampa—so that true love—Karen's and mine—will win." He smiled widely, blue eyes dancing.
    Johnny was jumping the gun. "Well, you see—" Jo stammered, "I—"
    "She and Adam are going to get engaged, that's how," Johnny interrupted. "Once that's done, Karen and I will be accepted right off."
    "Now wait a minute, cowboy," Jo protested. "I haven't had a chance to talk with Adam yet."
    "I have. He's all for it."
    Jo cast a rueful glance at Mike, who had suddenly taken this time to carefully study the morning star as it shone brightly in the pale sky. He looked back at her with amused understanding. "Oh," he said, letting his voice rise and fall thoughtfully as if suddenly enlightened.
    "Oh...what?" Jo demanded, suspicious of his Cheshire cat grin.
    "Just that this could get interesting." He nodded his head wisely. "Very interesting. You and Adam, eh? That brings up all sorts of possibilities." He rubbed his hands together in gleeful anticipation. "Uh huh. Who thought this up? Adam?"
    "No. Karen did. Actually, she said I did, but I hadn't meant it that way...I mean...." Jo threw up her hands.
    "Let's get shoving," Johnny said. "You can work it out later. I have to do the milking, so if you want my help...."
    "We're coming."
    Once in the timber, Mike started singing, and the others joined his rich tenor: "'Oh, what a beautiful morning....'"
    Jo breathed deeply of the pine-scented air, enjoying the ever-changing scene as the morning light brightened. Ground squirrels sat next to their burrows, more curious than afraid and a fat porcupine reluctantly left the trail as the three came singing through, the creak of saddle leather adding music of its own. It was a beautiful day.
    Jo felt her spirits lift as they always did when she entered the mountain trails. By now she was wide awake and refreshed, ready to take on anything, even Adam.
    As if on schedule the birds began their early morning music session, twittering and chirping. The three stopped singing, to listen as they rode along.
    They reached the fence around four-twenty. Adam stopped working and leaned on the post hole digger as they pulled up and swung down. His dog, a Queensland blue-heeler, stood nearby, ears pricked, alert and eager to work.
    Adam was wearing old Levi's and boots, with a blue and black plaid shirt and jeans vest. Heavy leather gloves stuck out one back pocket and the brown Stetson again covered his jet black hair.
    "Morning, Jo, Mike. Good to see you again," he added to Mike, clapping him on the shoulder. The softly spoken words of friendship stirred a longing deep within Jo to hear him speak thus to her. Would he? Ever?
    Jo scanned his handsome, deeply tanned face and felt a jolt go through her—like running into an electric fence. She caught her breath. Nobody had any right to look so striking.
    He was as smooth and powerful