Free Salvation's Secrets (The Loflin Legacy Prequel) by Catherine Wolffe Page B

took Celia’s gloved hand in
her own. “My word, dear, you’re trembling. You simply must come in
and rest. The trip was grueling, wasn’t it?” She motioned in the
direction of the Tyler Inn. “Come in out of the heat for just a few
minutes. The repast will do you good.”
    Celia’s eyes darted from Claudette to Seth.
He simply smiled knowingly at her. Surely, he would object.
    “Celia!”
    Breaking away to the sound of her name, she
searched through the crowd.
    “Celia?”
    Turning to the sound of the deep voice,
Celia spotted the tall, muscular figure of a man dressed in
buckskin striding toward her. Recognition had her heart tightening
and tears welling in the corners of her eyes. Seth and Claudette
were forgotten as her face broke into a grin and she broke into a
very, unlady-like run. Squealing in sheer delight as her cousin
grabbed her up in a bear hug, and spun her around, Celia buried her
face in the crook of his neck. Joy filled her as he spun her around
again.
    Easing her down, Broken Horse smiled
broadly. “Little One, look at you.” Holding Celia at arm’s length,
he let his eyes travel over her. The expression on his face said he
was pleasantly surprised at what he saw.
    Celia noticed him peer over her shoulder
with a bewildered brow as if he was searching for something.
“What?” Bemused, Celia turned, trying to decipher his point of
focus.
    With his face shadowed in seriousness,
Broken Horse confided, “I was expecting a girl with scraped knees
and a dirt-smudged face. Instead, I’m to believe this beautiful,
young woman before me is my cousin?”
    Relaxing backward in his hold, Celia
couldn’t help the smile that creased her lips. “Cousin, you stretch
the truth too far.” Her eyes twinkled as she laughed. “Besides,
you’re biased.”
    With admiration, Broken Horse eyed her. “I
promise you this, you’re the most beautiful creature in these
parts, Celia, and that’s the truth.”
    Her color rose at the complement.
    Kissing her gently on the forehead, he gave
her one more hug.
    When he straightened once more, she touched
his arm. “Oh, Broken Horse, it’s so good to see you. You haven’t
changed a bit.”
    Broken Horse appeared wounded. “Haven’t
I?”
    She peered up at him in mock consideration.
“Well, maybe some. You’re certainly taller.” Celia squeezed his
upper arm and her eyes widened in true astonishment. “What have you
been doing? You’re strong as a horse.”
    His laugh was deep and genuine. With a grin
on his handsome face, Broken Horse shook his head. “You’ve been
gone a long time, cousin. Things change.”
    Celia nodded in agreement. Cutting her eyes
fleetingly behind her, she caught Seth watching her intently. At
his side and seemingly undaunted by his lack of attention,
Claudette fiddled with his lapel and continued to bombard him with
her latest adventure. On that point, she could agree with Broken
Horse. Some things certainly did change, so she held her
tongue.
    Broken Horse nodded toward two well-stocked
horses standing a few yards away at a hitching post. “We’ve got a
long ride. Are you ready to go?”
    Celia glanced at the two rich coated Paints
standing down the boardwalk. Their saddles held supplies enough for
a long journey. Was she ready to see her father after all this time
and face what came next?
    Before she could answer, Claudette
approached them. “Celia, won’t you and your cousin join us?”
    Celia hesitated glancing from Claudette to
Broken Horse and back. A sudden need to leave overwhelmed her. The
mocking glare Seth sent her had her stiffening. She wouldn’t allow
him to see her disquiet at being in his company. If they joined the
couple, she would be civil for the sake of her pride.
    Broken Horse’s curiosity must’ve gotten the
better of him as he studied Claudette’s sun-kissed complexion. “We
probably need to eat before starting out,” he said.
    “We would enjoy the company,” Seth offered
companionably as he appeared