Read Online Ballad Beauty by Lauren Linwood - Free Book Online Page A

will have a lot to catch up on.” He lifted the buttered bread to his mouth and chewed thoughtfully.
    “Yes.” She frowned and took a sip of water. “He was to meet me in Apple Blossom, but some unforeseen problem cropped up. I would have already been on my way to Nevada if not for the unfortunate demise of the guide that he arranged for me.”
    It amazed him that she could receive such bad news and then have the fortitude to stride into a saloon and try and scare up her own guide. Jenny McShanahan could be termed brave or foolish for trying to hire a stranger, but she obviously wanted to see her father badly.
    Guilt streaked through his conscience for a moment, knowing that he’d be the one to pull them apart again. This time forever. Sam had too long a record for it to be anything less than a hanging. Over ten states would line up quicker than lightning strikes to be the one to do the honors. He knew with certainty now that Jenny had no idea what Sam had been up to all these years.
    “Why did you accept my offer, Mr. Webster?”
    She pulled him from his thoughts. He hoped his face gave nothing away. “I need to head further west anyway, Miss McShanahan. I’ve got the consumption.”
    Her jaw dropped. “But you’re the picture of health. You’re tall and robust, with strong muscles and a healthy glow. Why . . .”  Her voice trailed off as she blushed furiously. She brought her napkin to her mouth and dabbed it daintily to hide her embarrassment.
    This was the most modest gal he’d run across in his twenty-five years. He grinned at her, glad she’d noticed he cut a fine picture.
    “It’s in the very early stages,” he assured her. “Doc says I can live for years and years if I’ll just get myself out to some dry, desert air. That’ll be the best medicine for me.”
    She recovered slightly and returned the napkin to her lap. “Still, it’s a shame that you received such a harsh diagnosis. What will you do when you reach your destination?”
    He shrugged. “Probably a little of this and that. Doc says I’m in pretty good condition, due to my cowboying.”
    “You’re a cowboy?” Her eyes danced merrily. “Have you driven cattle to market?”
    “Yep. Started out in ‘66 when the first drives headed up to Kansas after the war. Had to ride drag at the beginning. That’s when—”
    “—when you must ride in the rear of the herd. It must be awfully dusty. And smelly.”
    “More of your book learning?”
    “Yes. The cattle drives have always fascinated me. They sound so romantic.”
    He laughed. “You have a twisted idea of romance, ma’am. It’s romantic to walk your gal home from a barn dance and spoon a little under a full moon with the scent of magnolias surrounding you. Riding for weeks at a time with a bunch of smelly cows and even smellier men is not quixotic at all.”
    “Quixotic? What an odd word choice for a cowboy.” She scrutinized him carefully. “You must be very well read, Mr. Webster. Perhaps you study your namesake’s dictionary in your spare time around the campfire?”
    It was his turn to blush. He was well-educated, thanks to his mama. Having been a newsman’s daughter, she’d been taught the importance of words at an early age. She passed on that magic to all her children. His brother Mark now worked at a San Francisco newspaper. Last he’d heard, his sister Elizabeth was trying to get excerpts of her diary of life as a homesteader’s wife published in some fancy ladies’ magazine in New York.
    “You could say that all the Webster children have substantial vocabularies, thanks to our mama.”
    Jenny rubbed her hands together. “I am delighted to hear it, Mr. Webster. I had thought I would be saddled with a dull cowpuncher for this trip. Instead, you make lively conversation and appear quite experienced, able to handle any difficulties we might encounter while on our journey.”
    “I’m experienced, Miss McShanahan.” He gave her a wry smile and winked. “That