A Promise of Roses Read Online Free PDF Page A

swiftly running water. She opened her eyes and looked around only to find herself sitting with her back to the thick trunk of a cottonwood tree. Both horses stood ankle-deep in a crystal-clear stream, drinking their fill. She didn't see Luke anywhere.
    She stretched, testing her muscles and joints. They seemed to be in better shape now than they had the night before. Megan frowned. How long had she slept that it would be light out already? It didn't really matter. She had to get away.
    Jumping to her feet, she raced into the water and grabbed the mare's reins.
    " Goin ’ somewhere?"
    The deep male voice froze Megan in place, one foot in a stirrup. She lowered her leg and turned to face Luke.
    "You weren't thinking of running off, now, were you?"
    "Of course I was, you dolt. You didn't expect me to just sit here awaiting your return, did you?"
    Luke laughed. “There's something to be said for honesty, anyway. Why don't you come on out of there before your toes turn to ice. You can help me with the money."
    Megan sloshed out of the creek and crossed her arms over her chest. Luke dragged the strongbox from beside the tree where she had been resting, then drew his gun. He aimed it at the padlock and pulled the trigger. Megan whirled to see if the noise had spooked the horses, but they seemed undisturbed as they continued to drink.
    "How about putting the money in these?"
    She caught the fawn-colored saddlebags Luke tossed her.
    "Count it, too. There should be close to three thousand dollars."
    "Four thousand, six hundred,” Megan said.
    A golden eyebrow arched upward. “And just how do you know that?"
    "I own the stagecoach company.” Megan shot him a glance, curious to see his reaction to the news. Most people just about swallowed their tongues. He didn't so much as blink.
    "So you would be privy to all kinds of information, huh?"
    "Anything concerning the stage line or its passengers."
    "Or its cargo."
    "Yes."
    "And I suppose you knew ahead of time how much money the railroad wanted transported."
    "Of course. But what does that have to do with anything?"
    "Nothing. I was just asking."
    Megan watched him a moment longer before turning her attention to the cash. She counted the coins and bills before stuffing them inside the pockets of the saddlebags and handing them to Luke.
    Luke kicked the strongbox into the thicket. Then he looked toward the stream, gave a long, sharp whistle, and called out, “Worthy!” The gelding came at the sound of his name and nudged Luke's shoulder. “Good boy,” Luke said, patting his muzzle. The black mare followed, wanting the same attention.
    "Is that his name? Worthy?"
    "Yep,” Luke said, arranging the bags on the back of his saddle.
    "Why do you call him that?” She saw a muscle in Luke's jaw jump.
    "My wife named him."
    For some reason, that announcement stung more than Megan cared to admit, though she knew Luke's being married shouldn't affect her one way or the other. “You're married.” It was more a statement than a question.
    "Not anymore. She's dead."
    "I'm sorry.” Megan didn't know which hurt more, the fact that Luke had been married or the thought of him losing someone he loved. She knew from experience that the pain could be almost unbearable.
    "Why—” Megan cleared her throat. “If you don't mind my asking, why did she name him Worthy ?"
    "She thought he looked like a trustworthy mount.” A hint of a smile reached his lips. “I couldn't decide what to call him, and before I knew it, the name stuck."
    "What was your wife's name?” Megan's throat felt scratchy, her palms damp.
    "Annie.” Luke's voice turned rough. “And don't even think about asking another damn question. Mount up. We've got plenty of ground to cover before dark."

    Before dark, it dawned on Megan that, despite her claims to excellent horsemanship, she had never ridden a horse to the extent that Luke expected. He stopped only once to water the animals, and he made Megan keep up a conversation from