Fired Up by Mary Connealy Read Free Book Online Page A

Ruthy’s special condition.
    After spending the morning with her, Glynna knew almost certainly Ruthy was expecting. Between the perfectly tasty coffee upsetting Ruthy’s stomach, and her moving at about half the usual speed—which was still faster than anyone else—and right now Ruthy looking a little pale. But then she was fair-skinned, so it was hard to judge. All in all, though, Glynna felt sure that Dare had diagnosed Ruthy correctly.
    Glynna hadn’t known for a while when Paul was on the way. But none of that could be mentioned as the reason Dare had come.
    â€œI’m feeling better now. I can help some,” Ruthy said.
    â€œNope, all the stones a man can lift are gone now,” Luke replied. “We’re tying a team of horses to bigger ones and we’re getting in each other’s way. Even with the horses, a few of the rocks can’t be moved. I’ll send a man into town to get some dynamite. By the time he’s back, we’ll have only the huge boulders left. We’ll do some blasting this afternoon, and that’ll be about it.” Luke stood to get back to work. “Ruthy, don’t be surprised at the racket.”
    Jonas, Vince, and Paul rose to head out with him. Dare poured himself another cup of coffee. Glynna noticed the man was still barefoot and doubted he’d had any intention of heaving rocks with the men.
    As Luke swung the back door open, thundering hoofbeats came from the trail to the south, the direction away from the avalanche.
    Glynna and Ruthy rushed to peek out and see what was going on, Janny crowding in beside them. A pinto pony came galloping toward them. The horse had a rider slumped over its neck.
    Luke charged out with the men on his heels. Jonas and Paul weren’t armed, but the other two had their hands steady on their guns, ready to draw.
    A crowd of armed cowhands came boiling out of the bunkhouse, Dodger in the lead.
    The man, nearly lying on his horse’s neck, was dressed in a deerskin shirt and fringed leggings. He had feathers hanging from two long black braids. His unsaddled horse wore a bridle with no bit.
    An Indian.
    As the horse tore into the ranch yard, it skidded to a stop and reared. Luke rushed forward but didn’t get there in time to stop the rider from tumbling off and landing on the hard ground. A puff of dust kicked up, and the horse leaped over the unconscious man and charged off the way it’d come.
    Luke dropped to his knees beside the man, then looked up sharply. “Get Dare.”
    Glynna whirled and raced back to the house. She hoped Dare was up to this.
    â€œDare, we need help!” Glynna shouted. “A doctor’s help.”
    When she slammed the door open, Dare was already pulling his boots on. “What happened?”
    â€œAn Indian, outside. He’s hurt. Luke needs you.” And those words, Luke needs you , seemed to put starch in his backbone.
    He strode from the room. “I brought my doctor bag. It’s been left behind in the wagon on the far side of the gap.”
    He was outside so fast he got past Glynna, and she had to hurry to keep up with him.

    â€œVince!” Dare barked orders as he rushed toward the unconscious man. “Get my doctor bag out of the wagon. Don’t go alone. Where there’s one Indian, there can be a whole band of ’em.”
    Vince slapped Jonas’s arm, and the two of them sprinted for the wagon.
    Dropping to his knees beside the collapsed man, Dare knew what was wrong instantly. “Measles.”
    Almost by reflex, he disarmed the man. There was ahatchet hanging from the left side of his belt and a knife tucked in a scabbard on the right side. Dare tossed them out of reach.
    His gaze swept everyone gathered around. “Who’s had measles? It’s contagious. Anyone who hasn’t had them should get back and stay as far away as possible.”
    Rolling the man over onto his back, Dare studied the red spots