Jodi's Journey by Rita Hestand Read Free Book Online Page B

she helped herself to some beans, she
started to join the men when Hunt called to her. Another talk, was
she up to it?
    “Can I talk to you?” he asked, his voice
light, but commanding.
    Jodi nodded and joined him, careful not to
get too close to him; she studied him out of the corner of her
eye.
    “What do you want to talk about?” she asked
as she raked the beans onto her fork and pretended
indifference.
    “Thought you should know we'll be getting
married in Waco. But I want stop off in Salado, see if we can round
up more men. Maybe some horse flesh, too.”
    Jodi stood up, spilling her beans. “Now wait
a minute. I don't mind stopping off at Salado, but I'm not marrying
you!”
    Hunt didn't move, didn't laugh, and didn't
frown, but the brunt of his stare made her still. His blue-black
gaze penetrated her. “I'm afraid that's the bargain you struck.
Besides...it's important. Men on a drive get restless; there's
always trouble with a woman along unless she's married. Once we're
married there'll be no trouble for you and hopefully no one
else.”
    Jodi considered his words, and knew he was
right, but something propelled her to reject the whole idea. How
could he make getting married sound so every day?
    She studied that statement a long time before
she answered, “All right, I agree.”
    “Glad you finally understand.” He stared at
her with a slow burning smile.
    Another thing she didn't like—he had a smile
like a rattlesnake, and she wasn't at all sure if she could trust
him.
    “I think I understand, about me being
trouble, although that is not my intention. I mean, it's not like
I'm wearing dresses and trying to seduce the men on this drive. I'm
merely doing a job, too, you know. And it's rather a grand gesture
on your part, too, to even suggest marriage. I'd have never thought
of it.” Perhaps if she acted as though she appreciated his offer he
might not talk of it, and maybe even forget about it.
    “There's nothing grand about it. You hired me
for this job. I aim to do it proper, but not with a female running
around camp for weeks on end with a bunch of rangy men around her
all day. So, we'll be married in Waco.”
    “Why there? Why not Salado?” she asked
plainly, willing her chin not to tremble. Perhaps if she put up a
brave front, there would be less trouble with him.
    “Several reasons. Sometimes a parson is hard
to find in smaller towns. Waco is good enough size we shouldn't
have any trouble there. I want to stop there to find out about the
Indian situation. Look, quit fretting about this marriage thing.
It's to protect you, and keep me from having to fight the entire
bunch of men in the process.” He explained as though she should
have thought of it herself.
    Jodi became very still, fascinated by his
intellect. What manner of man was Hunter Johnson? How could he
methodically calculate every problem before it happened?
    She had found him living in a shed, but he
certainly didn't seem like the kind of man to put up with that kind
of arrangement. So, why had he lived like that?
    What he proposed made a lot of sense and she
was willing to do anything to get the herd through with the least
amount of trouble.
    “So...now you understand. After the drive you
can high-tail it if you want. Go where you want, but as long as you
are here on this drive with me, you'll be my wife.” His voice and
statement commanded respect.
    “In name only!” she quickly amended.
    “That's fine by me, ma'am. It's merely one of
those precautions.”
    Hunt's gaze bore into her, surprise lighting
his face. It was obvious he expected a fight. Maybe he didn't
cotton to a marriage either. She wouldn't argue the point with him.
Despite her misgivings, it made perfect sense.
    She nodded curtly.

    ≈≈≈

    That was too easy . He didn't know Jodi
well, but he sure expected her to put up a fuss, and she hadn't.
His intended was a mystery, and he found her even more intriguing
now that she was willing.

    CHAPTER SIX

    With the