Free Forever Kisses (Romance on the Ranch Book 7) by Verna Clay Page B

"Hell, Preston, I'm not doing anything extraordinary. You know how much I love the wagon train."
    "Well, that's true. But thanks, anyway. I'm going to call Dad and Mom and let them know. I'd tell you to have fun, but that's already a given."
    Toby chuckled. "Yep."
    The pioneers had already been transported from the Lazy M to the starting point at Triple T, and the horses had been delivered the night before. Toby mounted his steed and rode out of the barn toward the wagons and pioneers. He scanned the excited crowd for Dovie and saw her standing beside Roxy. He couldn't help but laugh. They looked adorable in their western attire with modern day backpacks slung over their shoulders.
    Sage was calling instructions when Toby halted Blue beside the chuck wagon and dismounted. Sage glanced up and motioned him forward. "Listen up, pioneers, we've had a slight change of personnel. My son Preston is being replaced by his brother Toby. Preston's wife is ill and he's staying with her. Toby has been working these trains since he was a boy, so you can put your confidence in his abilities. He'll be our wagon train master and also acting as scout by checking the trail for Indians and lowlife bandits. If you have any problems that your driver is unable to solve, Toby's the man to see. He'll figure out what needs to be done. Now, back to safety instructions…"
    Toby couldn't stop the wide grin spreading across his face. He loved this stuff! While his father had been introducing him, he'd glanced at Dovie and seen her surprised expression. She'd quickly moved her gaze away. She did that a lot. From experience he'd learned that shy women who liked him usually did just that; the bold ones met his eyes straight on. He sure hoped Dovie was starting to like him, because he was crazy about her. Over the past weeks he'd come up with as many excuses as he could to work at the dude ranch during his free time. He'd even peeled potatoes for Hank in the kitchen and suffered the cook's out-of-key singing.
    Sage called loudly, "Are we ready to get this train loaded and rollin'?"
    The pioneers all shouted, "Yes!"

Chapter 18: Wagon Master
    Dovie smoothed a hand down the skirt of her lavender linen day dress with its long full sleeves and high neckline, and then reached to fiddle with her pristine white bonnet. She glanced at Roxy to see the girl's face alight with excitement under a yellow bonnet chosen to match her dress. She looked very—Dovie grasped for a descriptive word—pioneerish. Dovie laughed and said, "I can't believe a month ago I was living my life as usual, and now I'm a dudette about to become a pioneer traveling on a wagon train." She giggled. "And I'm dressed in character and wearing a bonnet!"
    For the first time, Dovie heard Roxy laugh freely. "I know what you mean. This is crazy."
    They both stepped backward with the crowd as the wagons, drawn by two horses each, were pulled to the loading area. Sage was again calling instructions as they approached their wagon. Toby rode Blue down the lineup and halted beside Dovie and Roxy. He touched the brim of his hat. "Howdy, ladies. I'm here to assist you into your schooner. And in case you didn't know, the best places to ride are either beside your driver or in the back with your legs hanging over the side. Of course, only one person can sit beside the driver. What's your preference?"
    Dovie and Roxy looked at each other. Dovie said, "You can sit up front if you want. I'd like to ride in the back."
    Roxy said, "I'd like to be in back, too."
    "Then it's settled, ladies." Toby dismounted, reached for Roxy, and gently lifted her onto the wagon's bed. Then he returned for Dovie. When he lifted her into his arms she inhaled deeply, loving his unique smell of sweat and soap. He set her beside Roxy and motioned inside the wagon. "That small trunk has been loaded with your other outfits and supplies. There're plenty of water bottles, Kleenex, toilet paper, toiletries, snacks, and what-have-you. If you