Read Online Finding Home by Ali Spooner - Free Book Online

away in her pocket. She
looked over at the chair where the bear pelt sat and her thoughts
went to her father. Today she would buy the lye soap to boil the
pelt in to rid its fur of the wild smell and prepare it to provide
warmth for her bed for the coming winter months.
     
    She and Gyp walked out to the front
yard where she laid a small fire that she would build to boil the
pelt and she was kneeling down when Marissa walked into the yard.
When Nat looked up at the sound of her approach, Marissa was
mesmerized by the dark eyes that locked onto her from beneath the
brim of Nat’s hat. Nat scowled when she saw the shawl that was
draped around Marissa’s shoulders, knowing the garment was not
heavy enough to keep the small woman warm in the bitter wind. She
would have to take care of that when she made it into town she
thought to herself.
     
    “ Are you two ready to go?”
Marissa asked.
     
    “ Yes ma’am just waiting on
you,” Nat said and Gyp sprung to her feet as they headed into
town.
     
    Gyp trotted ahead of them and dashed
off the road following the scent of some animal that had passed
through earlier. Nat smiled at the young dog, nearly full grown and
had proved to be a dear companion to her since her father’s death.
They walked together in silence and Gyp joined them just as they
entered town. “I have a few things to buy at the general store, but
we will stop by in just a few minutes,” Nat said as they went in
separate directions.
     
    Marissa gave her a brilliant smile her
cheeks flushed by the chill wind and said, “I will have some hot
coffee waiting for you.”
     
    Nat returned her smile and watched as
Marissa walked toward the hotel. “Let’s go Gyp,” she said once she
saw her disappear inside and they walked down the street to the
general store.
     
    Inside, Nat found a box of lye soap
flakes and then went to the clothing section. She found a pair of
dungarees and a wool sweater that should fit Marissa and then found
a buckskin coat with a lamb’s wool lining that would work well to
keep her warm when they went hunting and as she walked to and from
work. The merchant wrapped her purchases for her and Nat was on her
way.
     
    Gyp had waited for her at the door and
rose to her feet when Nat emerged from the store. They walked to
the hotel and found a seat in the dining room. Marissa’s smile lit
the room when she walked from the kitchen to see them sitting in
the dining room. She carried a mug of coffee over to her table and
asked, “What may I fix you two for breakfast this
morning?”
     
    “ Have you got biscuits in
the oven yet?” Nat asked.
     
    “ Yes I do,” Marissa said
with a grin.
     
    “ Well we worked up quite an
appetite yesterday, so how about eggs, bacon and some fried
potatoes for starters and then when the biscuits are done some
biscuits and gravy,” Nat suggested.
     
    “ I do love your appetites,”
Marissa said with a slight blush and she turned to walk back into
the kitchen.
     
    Nat watched her and was amazed at how
much she craved Marissa. Nat had never had someone affect her so
profoundly and felt a warm rush throughout her body whenever she
looked at Marissa. She sipped her coffee and pondered her thoughts
while she waited for Marissa to return with steaming platters of
food.
     
    She and Gyp were the only patrons so
far, so when Marissa brought out their food she sat with them for a
few minutes. The impending weather must have the normal breakfast
crowd tucked away inside the warmth of their homes, Nat thought,
and she enjoyed the quiet time spent with Marissa.
     
    Nat and Gyp finished their meals and
Gyp had placed her head in Marissa’s lap as she and Nat talked. Nat
watched Marissa’s hand as it stroked Gyp’s head and she remembered
her soft touch as she caressed her body earlier that morning and
she felt the butterflies take flight in her stomach.
     
    Nat paid for their meal and with a
short good-bye she and Gyp walked back to the cabin. Nat placed