Dare to Dream Read Online Free PDF

of the folder on top. Donna’s truck keys and the keys to the trailer spilled out along with a receipt from a gas station in Denver plus one from in town. A McDonald’s receipt for one sweet iced tea and one large diet Dr. Pepper fluttered to the floor. The box contained the girls’ purses, wallets, IDs, and a fat oilskin parcel. “What’s this?”
    “The old woman got it out of a cupboard. You won’t believe what it says. I don’t believe what it says.” Her words muffled as a tech peeled Donna’s T-shirt over her head. She crossed her arms over her breasts as she tried to stop shaking. “She disappeared, but that was on the table. She got it out while we were having tea. Why would she do that?”
    Bob stared at the documents in his hand then let his eyes drift to Donna’s ample breasts. Slowly, he raised his eyes, turned to the doctor, and nodded.
    The tech was removing Donna’s jeans when Mason stuck the needle in her arm. The room slowly lost focus.

Chapter 5
     
    The filly’s fever had come down some, and she appeared to be resting comfortably now. Well, at least she didn’t toss and turn or talk out of her head about trucks, sheep, and spiders. She seemed better, although it was a mite too soon to tell if she’d end up with lung fever from the dunking in the stream. Will didn’t worry about his health even though Charlie was beside himself. If he drank another hot toddy the old man forced on him, Will might well crawl in next to the girl. If he managed to sleep they’d be all right, the problem was he couldn’t guarantee that. She stirred something in him.
    Charlie handed him the cup of birch tea with a large dollop of honey in it to mask the bitter taste. He had decided the girl needed a dose every couple of hours until the fever broke. Will slipped his arm under her shoulders to raise her head and force a little of the tea between her lips. She swallowed and the tip of her pink tongue smoothed across her lower lip. Will watched in fascination.
    “Charlie, pass me the honey pot.”
    “What’cha planning?” He handed the pot to the boy, waiting.
    Will took the dipper and drew honey across the girl’s lower lip. Her tongue flicked again to remove the sweetness. Will’s followed her pattern. Charlie’s chuckle broke his concentration.
    “That’s right fine. Sweets’ll help keep her strength up ’til we can get some broth down her. I put some jerky on to boil. Will, you need to get some rest. I’ll sit with her a spell.” Will’s focus remained on the girl. “Suit yerself.”
    Will had no plans to leave until her eyes opened. He had appeased Charlie by stripping off his wet britches and drawers and wrapping himself in the blanket he heated over the stove. When Charlie seemed satisfied with his color, Will wrapped the blanket around his hips and pulled the chair next to the bunk where he planned on remaining.
    “Will?”
    “Huh? What?”
    “I said—the broth is made. Try to get some down her in between doses of tea. If you won’t rest, I’ll bunk out in the barn. I’m too old fer sleeping in a chair. Holler if you want me to spell you or if’n she takes a turn. Night.”
    Will nodded, but kept his eyes focused on the girl. He smoothed the hair back from her face and let it slide through his fingers. Paler than corn silk and superfine, like angel hair, the mane must reach her waist. How had she gotten it all up under that hat, and how did he ever think this body belonged to a boy? Hell, he must be tipsy. Charlie hadn’t spared the whiskey in those toddies.
    He got up to pour him another and a cup of broth for the girl. Maybe the whiskey would kill the throb in his crotch, the real reason he hadn’t been in a hurry for a fresh pair of britches. He’d already had one too many dunks in the stream for the day, and his hand really wasn’t where he wanted to find release. He rearranged the blanket, securing the end at his waist. Carrying the cups carefully, he returned to his sentry