Brides of Idaho by Linda; Ford Read Free Book Online Page A

next rejoiced he was a saint? Her mind must be affected by hanging upside down as she practiced her trick riding. But her horses were the safest company she could find right now, and she’d be spending a lot more time there and a lot less around town.
    Except she needed to help Joanna. When did life get so complicated?
    When the Rawhide Preacher rode into town. That’s when. What would it take to get him to ride back out?

Chapter 4
    L evi would have thought it impossible for Glory to avoid him, but she’d certainly done her best. Although they shared the same table, so did twenty others, making it out of the question to have a private conversation with her.
    He wasn’t sure what he’d say if he had the chance. He thought of apologizing for suggesting she was disappointed with life. Except he was almost certain it was the truth. The outward signs might be different from Matt’s—though not all that different—but he suspected they both felt the same way. Glory’s mother had died. Her father left them to fend on their own. It was almost as bad as losing both parents. Perhaps even worse.
    He’d watched for an opportunity to speak to her, prayed for one, knowing without a shadow of doubt she was one reason he was in Bonners Ferry. He’d even hung about the farrier shop waiting for a chance, but she dragged young Toby with her. He liked to think it was to keep Toby out of the saloon, but deep down he suspected it was to make sure she wasn’t alone with Levi.
    In a way, he didn’t mind. Toby was welcoming enough, and he liked the younger man. Right now they played a game of checkers, which seemed to be one of Toby’s favorite pastimes.
    Levi’s gaze wandered back and forth to the open door, which gave him a good view of the little pen and Glory trimming hooves on the two horses brought to her.
    “Now do a good job,” the impatient man ordered. “I’m off to the gold fields and can’t afford a lame horse.”
    Glory didn’t even glance up from her task. “Most foot problems can be prevented. You might try cleaning their hooves at night. They deserve that much after toting you around all day.”
    Levi held a bubble of amusement in his chest. Trust Glory to tell a man exactly what she thought.
    Toby jumped Levi’s kings. “I won.”
    Levi brought his attention back to the game. “So you did. You’re pretty sharp for a young fella.”
    The boy bristled. “I’m not that young.”
    “Didn’t mean to suggest you were.”
    Glory finished the horses and pocketed the money she’d earned. She let the man and his animals out the gate and then turned and began grooming her palomino.
    Levi could see her lips moving but couldn’t hear what she said to the horse. No doubt secrets she didn’t share with others. He leaned toward the door, hoping to discover what they were.
    “How old are you?” Toby asked.
    Holding back his frustration, knowing Toby deserved his full attention, he answered. “Twenty-six. How about you?”
    “I’m eighteen.” He hung his head and mumbled. “Almost.”
    “I expect your folks are worried about you.”
    Toby bristled. “I can take care of myself.”
    “Don’t stop your parents from wondering if you’re okay. That’s what folks do when they care about each other.”
    Glory suddenly stood in the doorway. “I suppose you know all about it? Folks caring and all.”
    He hadn’t noticed her approach and startled, faced her. Their gazes met and held. And he saw one of her secrets. Though he already knew it. She had been disappointed by events in her life—likely her pa’s regular disappearance and her mother’s death. “My folks died when I was thirteen. My brother and I went to live with my grandparents. They cared for us in their own way.” Trouble was, Matt didn’t accept their way.
    “What’s that mean, ‘their own way’?”
    “They were strict but only because they feared we might get into trouble if we were allowed to follow our own inclination.” They proved to