White Nights Read Online Free PDF Page A

freckle-covered nose then set to work, carving her name as deep and as big as he could in the small area she’d chosen. While he worked, he vowed to see that both mother and daughter would only have cause to smile and laugh from now on.
    Finished, he stood, noting the waning of the afternoon sun. “Time to head back, you two. I need to return to the herd and relieve Wolf.” With Jessie on one side of the little girl and James on the other, they descended the rock and wound their way through the throng of wagons and tents taking up most of the available ground close to the landmark. The farther out, the more space they found—and dried grass among clumps of sagebrush.
    Shading his eyes against the lowering sun, he searched out the dark blur of cattle moving lazily in the distance and noted their position. Lack of grass along the trail drove the herd out several miles in search of more bountiful supply. At least they no longer had to worry about the poisonous alkali ponds. Water was once again fresh and abundant. Satisfied that things were fine, he relaxed. He’d check on Eirica before heading back out.
    When they arrived at the circled wagons, Jessie stifled a yawn. “Should’ve taken a nap instead of sightseeing. Guess I’d best give Rook a hand with supper or you boys won’t be eating tonight.”
    James grabbed her by the arm before she took off. “Please, don’t let Coralie bake the bread.”
    Jessie laughed, her eyes lit with mischievous delight. “Now, James, our dear sister-in-law has to learn to cook sometime. Just think of the abuse poor Jordan’s stomach endures when she cooks for him.”
    Shuddering, James scowled. “Coralie is his wife. Let her experiment on him, not me. Remember the last time Rook let her bake the bread? It was gooey in the center and burnt black on the outside and we were stuck with just beans and pork for supper.”
    “And you boys were so nice, telling her how good it was.”
    James scowled. “The dog wouldn’t even eat it.”
    “No promises.” Jessie punched him in the arm, then sprinted off toward the supply wagons, the ribbon holding her shoulder-length hair away from her face slipping. The sight of that one touch of femininity still caught James by surprise. He’d never known Jessie to have any use for hair ribbons, preferring a length of leather when her hair had been long.
    Change. So many things had changed since leaving their farm.
    “Evening, James,” a soft husky voice greeted him.
    Shaking off the melancholy mood, he nodded at Catarina, Sofia De Santis’s granddaughter. He quickly continued on his way before the girl waylaid him. Each time he came into the camp, she found an excuse to speak to him. Though she was nice enough, she didn’t interest him in the least. He had eyes only for Eirica.
    He sniffed the air, his stomach rumbling in response to the scent of fresh bread and other savory smells. Passing close to Rook’s fires, he grimaced. Bacon and beans. His appetite fled. He was heartily sick of the trail staple. A man needed variety, and Rook’s meals tended to be monotonous and plain. Fresh meat would be a welcome change, but game was in short supply.
    Glancing down at Alison who skipped contentedly beside him, he winked. “Let’s go see what your ma’s cooking. Maybe it’ll be better than Rook’s beans.”
    “Prob’ly not. All we get is beans and bacon, too.” She made a face equal to his own and the two snickered. James ruffled her red curls and held out his hand.
    With Alison’s fingers wrapped around his, James threaded her way around camps, wagons and people going about their evening chores with a preoccupation that bespoke of drudgery. Whistling tunelessly, he spotted Eirica and quickened his pace.
    She stood, her profile to him as she rocked Ian in her arms. But as he neared her, he slowed his steps, telling himself he didn’t want to startle her with his sudden appearance. She was still skittish around him and he didn’t want to risk