Hidden Truths Read Online Free PDF Page B

that they were face to
face. "Were you nervous?"
    "Terrified," Luke said. Not so much about not
measuring up, of course. Back then, her worst fear was being injured so badly
that surgeons discovered her secret. "There's no shame in being afraid,
Amy. The trick is not to let it paralyze you."
    The white of Amy's eyes gleamed in the darkness. Her chaps
scratched along the corral post as she shifted. "I'm a bit nervous,"
she finally said. "But you don't need to worry. I won't disappoint you, Papa."
    "I know." Luke wrapped her arm around Amy's
shoulder and squeezed, as always surprised to feel sturdy muscles under her
hand. When had the little girl who begged her for a ride on Measles become this
strong young woman?
    She sighed. She'd miss her daughters — and Nora, of course.
"Come on." She gave Amy one more pat to the shoulder. "Let's go
to bed. We both have a long day tomorrow."
    *  *  *
    Nora folded strips of cloth and handed them to Luke, who
stowed them in her saddlebags. "Put them at the bottom so no one will
see," Nora said.
    "Not necessary," Luke answered. "If one of
the boys finds the rags, I'll just tell them those are compresses should one of
the horses get hurt." She winked and leaned down to brush her lips over
Nora's.
    But this time, not even the warmth of the kiss could chase
away Nora's worries. She entwined her fingers with Luke's, lifted one palm to
her lips, and kissed the familiar criss-crossed pattern of scars and rope
burns. "I wish you didn't have to go."
    Luke stroked the back of her fingers over Nora's cheek.
"I wish I could stay, but you know we need the money if we want to invest
in draft horses."
    "I regret ever suggesting that." If anything
happened to Luke on the way to Fort Boise, she would never forgive herself.
    "Hey, don't talk like that," Luke said.
"You're a clever businesswoman and have never steered us wrong in all
these years. Now that the railroad is coming, investing in draft horses is a
brilliant idea. If we sell enough horses to be able to invest in Belgians and
Percherons, the ranch will prosper."
    "It's only brilliant if nothing happens to you,"
Nora said.
    "We'll be careful and post guards at night."
    "The trip holds more dangers for you than just Indians
and horse thieves." Every muscle in Nora's body felt tight like a rope
that was trying to hold a panicked mustang. "You'll have to live in very
close quarters with Phin, Charlie, and Kit for over two months. There'll be no
outhouse, no bedroom with a sturdy lock, no privacy to change clothes, wash, or
take care of private matters."
    Luke slid her arms around Nora and held her close. "I
admit I haven't had to do that in a while, but you know I've lived among men
before. People see what they think is true, not what's really there. And I'm
the boss, so I can decide when to scout ahead or leave camp under the pretense
of hunting for game. I've always been good at slipping away from camp."
    "Oh, yeah?" Amusement bubbled up. "Is that
why you were shot by our own guard when you slipped away to follow the call of
nature?" Nora brushed her lips against Luke's upper arm, where an old scar
reminded of that day seventeen years ago.
    Groaning, Luke rubbed her nose. "Thanks for the
reminder of that glorious moment."
    Nora laughed, then moved back to look into Luke's eyes. The
rain cloud gray told her that Luke was as worried as she was; she just didn't
want to admit it. "Come on." She tugged on Luke's hand. "Let's
go to bed." She wanted to hold Luke and pretend that she'd never have to
let go.
    Luke walked around the bed and tested the door to make sure
it was locked. Only then did she slip out of her clothes.
    In the flickering light of the kerosene lamp, Nora watched
as Luke unwrapped the bandages around her chest until she revealed small
breasts, pale against the darker color of her arms.
    Nora licked her suddenly dry lips.
    When Luke slipped her nightshirt over her head, Nora changed
into her own nightgown, pulled the pins from her hair,