Read Online The Hopechest Bride by Kasey Michaels - Free Book Online

Sunshine smile again, you know, all of us.”
    Emily blinked back quick tears of her own, nodded, slammed her worn Stetson on her riot of chestnut curls and headed toward the stables.
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    Josh looked up at the darkening sky, and wondered if Emily Colton had taken a moment to look backover her shoulder, at the thick clouds rolling in from the ocean.
    Probably not. The woman had set a leisurely pace, and kept to it for the past two hours, heading almost straight east, then slightly north, toward the hills in the distance. She hadn’t stopped, she hadn’t looked back, she hadn’t done anything but ride. Like a woman in a trance.
    Not smart. Not smart at all. A lone rider had to be constantly alert, on the lookout for danger, be it under her mount’s hooves, or behind her, high in the sky—or riding another horse, following her, carefully keeping his distance, yet always keeping her in sight.
    He’d say one thing for her, the woman could sit a horse. Her back ramrod straight, she sat the saddle easily, gracefully, as if born to ride. Like the cowboys of old, she could probably keep up her pace, and her fine seat, for hours and hours and hours.
    So she wasn’t a tenderfoot, or worse, an idiot. That was good, because Josh really didn’t feel in the mood to ride to the rescue of a damsel in distress.
    What he did plan to do, however, was still pretty nebulous. He’d already figured that he’d keep out of sight when she stopped for a meal, because she’d still be too close to the ranch and could simply mount her horse and ride away from him.
    He’d wait until dark, which came early in November, and for her to stop for the night. Once she was settled, and too far from the ranch to risk her mountwith night travel under a moonless, starless sky, he’d ride into her camp and make himself known.
    Unless she was heading toward some cabin? Possibly toward friends who lived out here, pretty much in the middle of nowhere?
    No. He doubted that. She’d bought a sleeping bag, hadn’t she?
    Yes, the woman was on her own, and chances like this didn’t come along twice. He’d follow, wait, bide his time, and then he’d ride in, confront her, and make her admit her guilt in Toby’s death.
    He just wished he didn’t feel so much like a heel.
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    Joe Colton placed the phone back on the receiver and dropped his head into his hands. Would it stop? Would it ever stop?
    â€œJoe?”
    He looked up, to see Meredith walking into his study. Quickly, he rose from his chair and went around the desk to take her in his arms. He couldn’t seem to touch her enough, hold her enough. “Hi, babe,” he said, kissing her hair. “You about ready for lunch? I think I smell Inez’s special chicken soup. Good day for it, with the weather being so raw.”
    Meredith gently pushed herself away from her husband, leaving her hands resting on his upper arms. “Emily’s gone, Joe. She rode out this morning on one of her solitary jaunts. I found a note from her in her room. She expects to be gone at least three days.”
    She tipped her head slightly, looked up at her husband. “And you knew.”
    Joe took Meredith’s hand and led her over to the couch. “Yes, I knew,” he admitted, sighing. “I tried to talk her out of it, but she was adamant. She feels overwhelmed right now, by us, by Martha. Too many eyes, watching her, even if we’re trying to help her. The hills are her bolt hole, Meredith, and always were. So, yes, I let her go.”
    â€œShe mentioned that she’s taken her cell phone,” Meredith said, folding her hands in her lap. “That’s how I knew you were in on the plan, in case you’re wondering. That sort of careful preparation has you written all over it.”
    Joe smiled sheepishly. “Sometimes your memory is too good, sweetheart.”
    Meredith gave him a small smile. “Well, you have