Caught in the Middle Read Online Free PDF Page B

wisps across his forehead, just like his father’s. Finn’s devil-may-care attitude had been frustrating to work with when running alongside a stampeding herd of buffalo, but back at the depot he’d had the gift of spinning windies.Tessa in particular had found him charming. Two years and a child later, she wasn’t as impressed.
    Sammy plopped onto the floor and began to explore on all fours. No matter what Tessa thought, Anne didn’t enjoy the prospect of going through life alone. The choice had been made only when all other options had proven too dangerous.
    “Well, you aren’t going to find a cook sitting in the room.” Tessa clasped a string of beads around her neck. “Why don’t you go downstairs and ask around the kitchen? There are a few establishments on the other side of the square that might know of someone looking for work.”
    “You won’t come back to Pushmataha?”
    “No. My heart belongs to Eddie. I’m going with him.”
    Silence fell. Tessa lifted a pick to her hair and jabbed at a tangle. Anne winced. Better to be attached to a job than a man.
    “I guess I have no choice if I want to go back on the hunt.”
    “But you are coming back?” Tessa asked. “You’re staying here tonight, right?”
    Ugh. But once you found your target you stayed with them until they were bagged. “I’ll stay here and hope I can talk some sense into you before I leave tomorrow.”

    Some of the tension that Anne had carried beneath her duster had faded away. Her mission had been successful. Took most of the afternoon, but she’d finally found a cook and purchased the widow-woman’s ticket to Pushmataha. Tomorrow they’d board the train together and head back to the depot. By the next evening she’d be on her bedroll,gazing up at the stars sprinkled generously across the sky, away from the curious stares of strangers. Back to the life she’d created for herself.
    Speaking of strangers . . .
    Footsteps sounded behind her as she marched across the squares of light thrown through the saloon windows onto the boardwalk. She paused at the batwing doors, and the steps halted. In a motion that was universally understood, she slid her right hand inside her duster to her hip, where the smooth handle of her six-shooter met her fingers.
    “I wouldn’t do that if I was you,” the voice behind her called.
    Anne remembered to deepen her voice. “Are you going to shoot me in the back?”
    “The lawmen of Garber don’t shoot citizens unprovoked. Turn around slow.”
    Anne extended her arms to her sides and turned to face a scowling young deputy.
    “Evidently Garber lawmen don’t mind harassing visitors.”
    He didn’t answer until he’d looked her over. His dark beard wasn’t quite grown in but accomplished what he no doubt wished by covering his youthful face.
    “Visitors are invited and last time I checked the guest list it didn’t include a woman masquerading as a man. I’m only looking for a chance to become better acquainted with a new face in my town.”
    Anne stiffened. His words could be misinterpreted by a woman. What were his intentions?
    His face reddened and he stammered. “Just tell me your business and I’ll leave you to it.”
    “I’m a buffalo hunter out of Pushmataha. Anoli Parker,our outfit leader, sent me here to find a cook for the depot. First train north, I’m headed out.”
    “A buffalo hunter?” He nodded. “Then welcome to Garber. I hope your stay is pleasant and your journey home uneventful.” He tipped his hat and reversed course.
    “A train ride without the holdup would be nice,” she muttered and continued on to Tessa’s apartment.
    A thin scrap of the sun’s disk hung behind the row of buildings. No possibility of watching it all the way to the horizon. Out on the plain, it was Anne’s favorite time of day. Physically exhausted, Anne would toss her saddle on the ground away from the fellas, rest her head in the seat, and wait for the sky to fade. She’d catch