Free Bride Gone Bad by Sabine Starr Page A

you in something simple,” Ludmila said with a twinkle in her eyes.
    â€œDon’t gloat,” Lucky grumbled as he headed for the firearm section. “You made your point.”
    Tempest focused on Ludmila. “We’re going to Indian Territory today.”
    â€œWe heard about your agreement with Big Jim.” Ludmila glanced at Lucky, and then back. “You will be safe?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œ Guten. That is why I mentioned the revolver. It is small and lightweight, but well-made and dependable. I suggest you do not venture across the Red River without a firearm of your own.”
    â€œI’ll be with Lucky.”
    â€œYou never know what may happen. You might get separated or he might become incapacitated. Plus, he is a stranger. If the need arises, women must be able to take care of themselves.”
    Tempest felt a chill race up her spine. She hadn’t considered the danger in life-and-death terms. Folks in Delaware Bend knew how to live on a knife’s edge and didn’t play games. She looked more closely at Ludmila, wondering how she had come to be on her own with a store in a rough town like the Bend. When Ludmila pushed a strand of hair back into her neat chignon, Tempest noticed a jagged scar across the palm of her right hand. Maybe something, or someone, had driven her into her present life.
    â€œDo you not agree?” Ludmila asked.
    â€œYes, you’re right. Maybe a small derringer would do.”
    â€œNo. That is a last-resort weapon. You do not want anyone in that close before you defend yourself. And you want the option of multiple shots.”
    â€œBut how will I carry it?”
    â€œI suggest in a holster on a belt around your waist.”
    â€œBut it will get in my way.”
    â€œLike men, you will get used to it. First, you need Lucky to show you how best to safely use it.”
    â€œLife seemed so much simpler in Jefferson.”
    â€œLife appears simpler on the other side of the fence.”
    â€œI suppose so.”
    â€œPlease come over here. I have tried to anticipate your every need.”
    â€œReally?” Tempest eagerly followed Ludmila to a big black cash register with gold trim in back. She saw a pile of merchandise beside it.
    â€œThis small blanket will roll and tie behind your saddle. These saddlebags are good quality.” Ludmila stepped behind the counter.
    Tempest stroked the brown leather of a saddlebag, regretting the lack of room compared to a carpetbag.
    â€œPlease let me know if any of this does not suit you.” Ludmila separated items into stacks. “Chemise and drawers. Two handkerchiefs. One jacquard shawl. One pair fabric gloves. One bar violet scented soap. One straw hat with a wide brim to protect your complexion. One corset, but I do not recommend using it on horseback.”
    â€œNo corset?”
    â€œYou will need comfort and the ability to breathe deeply.”
    Tempest nodded as reality struck her. She was trading her home of four walls for one of four legs. Everything she needed, and it couldn’t be much, had to fit on the back of a horse.
    â€œI also chose a lavender blouse and purple split-skirt.”
    â€œWhat’s a split-skirt?”
    â€œI assumed you would not want to ride sidesaddle.”
    â€œDo you mean ride like a man?”
    â€œOr a woman with sense,” Lucky said, walking over to them. “If you ride sidesaddle in Indian Territory, you might fall and break your neck. Besides that, uneven weight is hard on a horse.”
    â€œBut I’ve only ridden sidesaddle.”
    â€œI understand,” Ludmila said. “But this is no ordinary venture.”
    Tempest looked from one to the other, realizing that they were serious. First, a gun. Now, a split-skirt. By the time this adventure was over, she wouldn’t be the same person. How would she ever explain her outrageous actions to Elmira and Lamira, the most gracious of belles?
    â€œA canteen