Bran (Prairie Grooms, Book Six) Read Online Free PDF Page A

back to town and the sooner I don't have to speak to you anymore!”
    “What?” he said in disbelief.
    “You heard me,” she shot back as she planted her hands on her hips. “You've made it quite clear that you're not going to forgive me anytime soon, and that it pains you to be in my presence! So the sooner we get away from each other Deputy, the better!”
    Bran fought the urge to sigh in exasperation. It would be normal at this point for her sorrow and remorse to turn into anger. But she wasn't angry with him, he sensed, so much as with herself. He knew because he’d done it plenty of times, and wondered how long it would take her to figure it out. “Fine, lass. I'll give no argument there.”
    She squared her shoulders as her arms fell to her sides. “Fine,” she said, chin up. She turned, crossed her arms over her chest, and waited for the wagon.
    Now that her back was to him, he shook his head and smiled. She was a feisty little thing, he’d give her that, and lively, very lively. He didn't know how else to describe her. He continued to smile as he looked at the wagon. He recognized Levi and his wife Fina, and breathed a sigh of relief. The girl’s relative would calm her down, no doubt, and he'd be spared any further confrontations with the little spitfire during the ride back to town. But the thought didn't bring him the relief he expected. Instead, he felt a pang of disappointment as he realized Apple Sayer might never speak to him again.
     
    * * *
     
    “Apple!” Fina cried as she waved. “Are you all right?”
    Apple picked up her skirts and ran the last ten yards to the approaching wagon. “Fina!”
    “Whoa,” called Levi over the jangle and creak of harness. “Whoa there!” He brought the team to a stop and set the brake. “Apple, what happened?” He then looked past her and saw the deputy.
    Apple sent him a glare, then looked up at Levi. “A snake spooked my horse and I fell off.”
    Levi looked at the deputy and noted his disheveled appearance. “And what happened to you?”
    “I met the same snake,” was all Bran offered.
    Levi looked between the two and shook his head as if to clear it. “You were both thrown off your horses by the same snake?”
    Fina gasped. “A snake? What kind of a snake?”
    “A rattler,” announced Deputy O'Hare. “A big one.”
    “Oh, Apple!” said Fina with worry. “Are you hurt?”
    “No,” she said and again sent a dagger of the glare to the deputy.
    Levi watched them both as he climbed down from the wagon. “Your little mare came running into town and went straight for a trough. Wilfred noticed her and we figured something had to have happened.”
    “We knew the sheriff's deputies were out looking for you, but weren’t sure who might find you,” said Fina.
    “Then when Deputy O'Hare's horse came back, we got really worried,” added Levi.
    “I'm so sorry,” said Apple. “This is all my fault.” Her tears began to fall. “If it weren’t for me, none of this would have happened.”
    Levi helped Fina down from the wagon. As soon as her feet touched the ground she went to Apple and gathered her in her arms. “There now, sister. It's over and you're safe. That's all that matters.”
    Levi took the deputy's hand and gave it a shake. “And so are you, I hear.”
    “Aye,” he said with a sigh. “I'm no worse for wear.”
    Levi patted him on the back and gave him a reassuring smile. He then turned to Apple and his wife. “Fella, what say we take Apple home with us? I'm sure she'll want the company of at least one of her sisters tonight.”
    “That's a wonderful idea!” She turned to Apple. “You will won’t you?”
    Apple nodded as she wiped away her tears. Yes, I'd like that very much. I don't want to be around the family tonight at the ranch. Everyone will just yell at me anyway.”
    “Now, Apple,” said Levi. “It's not as bad as all that. The deputy is alive and well. We can't ask for more.”
    “Except that it never happened