Read Online Distraction by Tess Oliver - Free Book Online

money, no family,
no home, and there was no way to get back to my real home, two
centuries away. It all seemed terrifying, and I had to keep my mind
in the present to keep from going completely mad with worry.
    “Once Cade returns, I’m sure he can find the time to
teach you how to sit in a saddle.”
    I was more than pleased to leave my dark thoughts.
“Samuel tells me that Cade is the one who brought me here. I must
confess, I don’t remember him. Does he live here too?”
    “Yes. He’s over in the next county breaking colts for
a rancher. I expect him home any time.” Her eyes always seemed to
take on a prideful shine whenever she spoke of Cade.
    “What is breaking colts?” I knew I sounded thoroughly
witless with all my questions, but I had no idea how else I would
learn about these new things unless I asked. And Libby seemed more
than tolerant with my incessant inquiries.
    “The rancher had some wild horses. Cade works with
them until they are safe to ride. A well-mannered, broke horse is
worth a nice lump of money.”
    “Interesting,” I said. “Broke is usually not a good
thing where I come from.”
    Libby smiled and shook the reins. The horses’ heads
popped up and they picked up their pace. “I think that term is only
good when it describes horses. I just hope those wild mustangs
don’t break Cade first.”
    Gigantic rolls of brown grass dotted the fields as we
wobbled along the bumpy path. We passed the occasional house or
herd of cows, but for the most part, there was just land. Lots and
lots of flat land.
    “I see a small pond over there past that fence,” I
said. “It seems that there is not much water around here.”
    A squirrel dashed across the road and the horses
snorted. “Calm yourselves, you silly beasts. It was only a
squirrel.” Libby adjusted the shawl on her shoulders. “Two years
ago you could see a pond or watering hole around every bend in the
road, but we’ve had a terrible dry spell for months. Even the snow
in the mountains was too thin to help down here in the farmland.
Our herd and the ranch have suffered because of it. Hopefully this
spring will bring some showers.” There was a speck of hopelessness
in her tone when she spoke. There had never been a shortage of rain
in Salem. In fact there was far too much of it for my liking.
    A lone rider headed toward us on the narrow road.
Even with his hat low on his head, the horses seemed to recognize
the man. His horse whinnied to the wagon horses.
“Jackson,” Libby called ahead to him, “why are you heading home
alone?” Libby stiffened next to me. “Did something happen to
Cade?”
    “Nah, he’s fine. Better than fine, in fact.” The man
pulled to a stop next to the wagon. A slightly stunned expression
crossed his young face. “You’re up and around. Cade thought you
might be gone before he got back home. I guess he’ll miss you after
all.” His face was covered with grime and there was a terrible cut
on the side of his chin. “Just between us, I think he’s going to be
disappointed.”
    “Jackson, I don’t know what you’re rambling on about.
We’re just going to town to pick some dresses up for Poppy.”
    “Poppy?” he repeated enthusiastically. “They sure are
giving angels interestin’ names these days.”
    Libby shot him a long, hard look. “Just how many
times did you get dumped on your head up there at Trenton’s?”
    “Too often to count,” he answered.
    “Then get yourself home. And for heaven’s sake, take
a bath before you sit on any of my furniture.” She gazed up the
road. “So, exactly where is Cade?”
    “He’ll be along soon enough.” He lifted his hat up
and down. “See you at the ranch.”
    ***
    A wide, well-worn road divided the town in half.
Tall, straight rectangular buildings lined each side of it like
rows of uneven teeth. They looked austere and simple compared to
the squat, thatch covered houses of Salem Village. The people
milling through town yelled, laughed, and