Read Online Gabriel's Atonement by Vickie Mcdonough - Free Book Online

wear clothes tailor-made just for her. Jo peered around the side of the building, watching the dandy again as he strode with long-legged confidence along the boardwalk and into the telegraph office.
    She walked down the street, amazed at how many people had swarmed into Caldwell since the last time she’d been in town. Must be land seekers, all hoping for a chance to get a claim. Excitement swirled in her stomach. She knew Grandpa could get land if only Lara would register him. By the time he recovered enough from his swamp fever bout to come to town, it could be too late.
    She slowed her steps and peered at her reflection in the mercantile window, twisting her head sideways as she tried to see her profile out the corner of her eye. Could she pass for twenty-one?
    Standing straighter, she wrapped her long braid into a knot at her nape and held it there with one hand as she examined her reflection. She heaved a sigh, knowing she still couldn’t pass for the required minimum age. Riding in such a grand race would be so exhilarating.
    She moseyed down to the telegraph office and slowed her steps. The dandy stood in the doorway, studying the sheet of paper in his hand with a big smile on his face. He looked even more dashing up close, but he was too old to interest her. Why, he had to be at least in his midtwenties, like Tom. The man rolled up the paper and smacked it against his palm with pleasing satisfaction.
    The dandy looked up and noticed her. He smiled then tipped his hat to her and walked across the street. Jo caught a faint whiff of some kind of musky fragrance and closed her eyes. She ought to be insulted that he’d barely glanced at her, well…she would have been if she hadn’t already deemed him nearly a codger. Someone bumped her shoulder as they passed by and jolted her back to her senses. She moved to the edge of the boardwalk, looped her arm around a post, and watched the fine-smelling dandy disappear into the hotel.
    Leaning her head against the post, she studied the activity of Caldwell. Riders on horses and long-eared mules pulling wagons headed down the dirt road—one of the main streets of Caldwell. Fragrant aromas of café food blended with the familiar smells of dust, animals, and leather.
    Across the street, a woman in a lovely lavender gown exited the hotel on the arm of an older man in a fancy suit. Jo sighed as she dreamed of what she might look like in that dress, dining on a five-course meal in the hotel. What would it be like to live in a town and wear nice clothes and shoes every day? Or to even stay in a clean room in a boardinghouse with beds that had frames and feather pillows and a café that served hot, belly-tingling meals? Where other folks did the chores and waited on you as if you were a queen or someone grand?
    Her stomach gurgled in response, and Jo laid her hand across it. She was sick of eating squirrel meat and other things most people would turn up their noses at.
    Security was what she longed for. A nice house to live in with wooden floors, glass in the windows, and a roof that didn’t let in rain or critters while she slept.
    Was that too much to ask for?
    Oh, why had she been born into a poor family?
    If only she had some money. What she needed was a job. She pushed away from the post and looked at the various stores and places of business. Caldwell wasn’t a huge town, but there was a variety of different shops. Maybe one of them could use some help. She was a good worker, even if Lara didn’t think so.
    Jo tossed her braid over her shoulder, smoothed the hair around her face, and proceeded down the boardwalk. The buzz of unfamiliar voices filled her ears—voices all talking about the land rush. On the other side of the street a crowd had gathered in front of the newspaper office, and they were staring at something on the wall. Lifting her skirt a little, she jogged across the street and leaped over a pile of fresh manure.
    She squeezed