Dorothy Garlock Read Online Free PDF Page A

was built in the center of the circle of wagons and over it was hung a huge iron pot. On one side of the fire a very black coffeepot soon was sending up a plume of steam.
    Johanna helped Jacy climb down over the big wheel of the wagon. Redford put his horse inside the rope corral and came to them.
    “We’ll help get supper if someone will tell us what to do.” Johanna began to roll up her sleeves.
    “Ain’t no call fer that, ma’am,” Redford said with a grin. “Ol’ Codger over there is ’bout to bust a gut a-tryin’ to fix up a decent meal for you ladies. I don’t know if’n I ever did see him get so high behind.”
    She laughed, and the men, unaccustomed to a woman in their midst, paused to look at her.
    “There’s somethin’ you
can
do, ma’am, if’n you’re of a mind to. You can sing fer us tonight. It’d sure be a treat. We heard you sing at the saloon, and we was mighty taken with what we heard.”
    “I’d be pleased to sing, Mr. Redford.” Her voice must have carried in the stillness of the evening, because from several wagons away came a wild Texas yell.
    Red shook his head and tried to look stern. “I’ll swear,” he said, “some of ’em ain’t got no manners atall.”
    The light disappeared from the sky while they ate. Codger, the cook, brought the young women each a plate of smoke-flavored beans and bacon, then returned with two tin cups and the coffeepot. Surprised at her hunger, Johanna attacked the meal with relish. The food was wholesome and filling. Jacy too seemed to enjoy the meal. They emptied their plates and sipped at the hot black coffee. Night sounds filled the air with pleasant and familiar harmonies, and Johanna relaxed, enjoying the rustle of the leaves of the pecan tree above their heads and the crackling of the wood in the campfire. It was comforting too to hear the quiet rumble of masculine voices keeping up a steady stream of talk while they finished their third helpings of food.
    Johanna heard the sound of running horses and looked up in alarm. She was relieved to see that the men continued to eat and showed no concern. The riders pulled their mounts to a sudden halt just outside the circled wagons, leaped from their saddles, and draped their reins over the wheels of a wagon. They were laughing and teasing one another as they approached the campfire.
    Without warning, Jacy sprang to her feet and looked wildly about. Her eyes became huge with fright and her hand flew to her face, trying to cover it. Blindly she darted toward the fire, then back to Johanna, and crouched behind her like a cowed, small animal, ready to spring away into the darkness. Before Johanna could stop her she leaped up onto the crate and tried to claw her way into the back of the wagon.
    “Jacy, no!” Johanna held on to her, murmuring soothing words, and gradually was able to pull her back and into her arms. Jacy clung to her sister, trembling. “It’s all right, honey,” Johanna said gently. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
    The three riders who had come so boisterously into camp stood stone-still, a bewildered look on their young, dusty faces. They started to back away.
    “Please stay,” Johanna urged.
    They stood uncomfortably, shifting their weight from one foot to the other.
    “Jacy,” Johanna said softly. “Look at them. They work for Mr. Macklin, just as we’re going to do. Turn around and look at them. They would never hurt either of us.” Firmly she took Jacy’s shoulders and turned her to face the men.
    The only sound to be heard, while the men stood still, allowing Jacy to look at them, was the blowing and stamping of the horses. Two of the men turned their eyes away, but the tallest of the three looked directly at Jacy as if his eyes couldn’t leave her face. Johanna thought him the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was tall, whiplash-thin, with finely chiseled features. His hair was as black as coal, and his eyes, under a heavy fringe of black lashes, were