Rocky Mountain Dreams & Family on the Range by Danica Favorite (list of ebook readers .txt) 📗

“Truly, Meg. It’s what we do here. When someone’s done using an item, they leave it for the next person who comes along. No sense in it going to waste.”

Meg softened slightly, and Joseph had to give Annabelle credit for trying. When she wasn’t thinking about the pain of her losses, she had such an incredible heart for others.

“I...” Meg’s face indicated a debate between practicality and wanting to protect her pride. Joseph knew all about that. Had faced the same debate upon encountering the Lassiter family.

“I know.” Joseph stepped in and gave a smile as he peeked down at the baby. “It was hard for me to accept their help at first, as well, but I’ve found that they aren’t just about giving handouts, but are true friends.”

Some of the wariness left Meg’s face. “They helped you?”

“Are helping. I came looking for my pa, and found that I had a sister.” He relayed his tale and as he shared his family’s need, Meg continued to soften. True, he did not share the most private details, such as how bad things were for his family back home, but at least she would understand that Annabelle meant to be her friend.

Which clearly Annabelle did, because as he relayed his tale, she’d once again taken the baby into her arms and was playing with it quietly.

“Emma is the sweetest thing,” Annabelle said, wrapping the baby snugly in her own shawl. “I can’t believe how chilly it’s gotten.”

Annabelle’s smile at the young mother melted his heart. If he was to keep his promises to both her and his pa, he needed to find a way to maintain his distance.

Joseph looked up and noticed clouds rolling in over the mountains. The sky was already darkening, which meant a storm would hit before afternoon.

He tried not to groan at what would be an inevitable delay in his mission.

“I’m not used to this weather,” Meg said. “Back home, summers were so hot. I thought Isaac’s brother was funning us when he told us to bring our winter things. But one of the women in town said that they’ve had snow in June here. June! Can you imagine!”

Annabelle nodded. “I remember it well myself. It wasn’t much snow, of course, and it melted right away, but it was still quite the surprise.”

Why did her smile have to be so engaging? Even though she was talking to Meg, and not him, he felt just as drawn in by the woman as Meg clearly was. Her face was animated, and her smile crinkled her eyes.

Joseph turned away, unable to continue watching Annabelle. He couldn’t afford to be given one more reason to like her.

As he turned, he noticed Slade riding in. Though they would be unable to visit the sites until after the storm passed, this would give them a chance to discuss their plan.

Annabelle must have noticed his change in attention, and she followed his gaze, then stood. “Slade.” She looked at Meg. “We must talk to him about what happened to your husband. Perhaps he can be of service where the sheriff was not.”

She didn’t wait for Meg’s answer, but held the baby tighter to her as she moved in Slade’s direction and waved.

“Slade!”

He dismounted and came toward them, handing his reins to a boy before arriving at the camp. “Good morning, Annabelle. Joseph.” He nodded in his direction before approaching the ladies.

“Slade, this is my new friend, Meg. Her husband was attacked by some ruffians, and I’m hoping you can help find these horrible men.”

Annabelle relayed the story with such passion that any doubt he’d ever had about her character and willingness to engage with others was wiped away. She had been listening, with all her heart, and was acting upon it.

Stop it, Joseph. She wasn’t his to be thinking this way about. He knew better. Had warned himself multiple times to avoid doing so.

He turned his attention to Meg, who was engaging in the conversation with Annabelle and Slade.

No, that wasn’t good. Because her engagement only reminded him of how Annabelle’s warmth had drawn her out. Even as the baby gave a slight cry and Annabelle handed her back to her ma, he couldn’t help but think of how wonderful Annabelle was with a baby.

He gave a small cough. “Since you have it all in hand here, I think I should go check on Nugget.”

Without waiting for an answer, he retreated to their own camp, where he could find at least a moment’s peace from his thoughts of Annabelle.

Annabelle watched Joseph retreat, feeling the chill in the air more acutely in his absence. She’d given up her shawl for the baby, and now her arms were starting to prickle against the coming storm.

“I’ll make some inquiries,” Slade said, as he, too, watched Joseph leave. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to catch up to Joseph to tell him our plans.”

“Of course.” She gave him a smile, the kind she hoped Joseph would be proud of. “I appreciate you taking the time.”

He nodded, then left, leaving her alone with Meg and the baby.

“Thank you,” Meg said when they were alone. “I am so glad the Lord brought you to us. He’s clearly watching over our family.”

Annabelle held out her arms for the baby. “Do let me hold Emma again. She’s such a dear. I’ll take you to breakfast with Gertie, who will want to hold her, then I’ll never get to hold her again. She does love babies so.”

That warm memory, and the sweet baby placed in her arms, put a tiny crack in Annabelle’s heart. Gertie did love the little ones. How could Annabelle have shut her out for so long?

They walked to Gertie’s, Meg chattering about life in Kansas. Annabelle had no idea how hard farm work was. It certainly sounded just as difficult and desolate a life as these miners faced. Getting up with the sun to work in the fields all day,