A Shelter of Hope by Tracie Peterson Read Free Book Online Page B

backwoods New York girl and built a house on the border of both countries. Trapping seemed a good way to lose himself and his identity to the rest of the world, and the territory had been good to him. Now, as he considered mining and what the future might hold in store, Louis couldn’t help but wonder if he’d made a mistake in selling out to Davis. Perhaps his original plan of moving north to further his trapping efforts was the wiser choice after all. With the Indian population rounded up and housed on government reservations, there would be all manner of animal to harvest. He’d heard stories about the riches of the Canadian Rockies that made him itch to go and see for himself.
    Securing his horse outside the saloon, Louis took hold of his rifle and went inside. The dilemma of what to do and where to go continued to battle inside him. There didn’t seem much sense in going over what was already done, and yet a nagging doubt remained in the back of his mind. Maybe after a few drinks it would all make sense enough.
    “Louis, you’ve come back to share some of your wealth,” Gus called from the far end of the bar.
    “Came back for a last drink, if that’s what you mean,” Dumas grunted.
    Ada came in from the stock room and beamed Louis one of her smiles. “I hoped you’d come back to at least say good-bye.”
    “Hey, Louis,” two men called in unison as they entered the Slipper. “Saw you head in here and thought we might get a game going.”
    “Jervis, Butterfield,” Louis acknowledged. “Don’t rightly know as I have time for a game.”
    The men laughed. “When have you ever been too busy to relieve us of our money?” Jervis asked.
    “Lessen you’re afraid you’ve lost your touch,” Gus joined in.
    Ada snickered at the challenge and poured Louis a tall whiskey. “You can’t let ’em get away with talkin’ to you like that, Louis.”
    Louis downed the whiskey and pushed the glass forward for a refill. “All right, since you seem so all-fired impatient to lose your money. I already spent one night in town, don’t hardly seem a problem to spend another.” Gus and Jervis gave a whoop.
    By this time, several more men had entered the bar, and they joined in the cheering as they realized the intent of the men at the bar. Boredom could only be relieved in one of several ways: fighting, loving, drinking, gambling, or working. Since most men were single, loving wasn’t often an option. Fighting could occur as the evening wore on, but it was usually an added bonus to either drinking or gambling. And working … well, that was clearly not an option on this fine day.
    “Come on,” Louis said, tucking the bottle under his arm. He took up his glass in one hand and his rifle in the other and motioned to the tables. “If we’re all gonna play, you’d best push ’em together.”
    “I’ll go get Harley’s bench at the dry goods store. He won’t mind us borrowing it so long as we don’t split it into kindlin’,” Gus said, heading out the door with great enthusiasm.
    Louis felt a thread of amusement as he observed the actions around him. These men were starved for entertainment and socializing. Some had just now come to town, having lived out the winter in solitary seclusion. Others were up from Laramie, their pockets full of coins from their latest job or trade.
    “River’s thawed,” Butterfield offered, pulling up one of the free chairs. “My pa says the signs point to a warm spring.”
    “I don’t trust it,” Jervis said, as if anyone cared about his thoughts on the matter. “I’ve seen it like this before. Just about the time you figure on things warmin’ up, along comes a blizzard to freeze you to the bone.”
    Louis looked at the man and nodded. He chose for himself a seat that placed his back against the wall. “Never put your back to any man,” his father had told him, and Louis knew he was alive to this day because of heeding that advice. “He’s right, ya know. Never makes