Love's Story by Kristin; Dianne; Billerbeck Christner Read Free Book Online Page A

Even the ground beneath her shook when the mighty logs rolled or moved. She watched the process with riveted interest and imagined the sorts of accidents that could occur, until a distant physique caught her eye.
    Thatcher Talbot helped to fasten the cables. She observed him from her perch and jotted down notes. Hours sped by while she quietly penned words. Once when her concentration broke, she looked up to see Talbot striding toward her. No, not toward her. Jonah seemed to be the object of his wrath.
    â€œCan’t use that photograph,” Talbot yelled up at Jonah.
    â€œWhat?” Jonah called down from his perch.
    Instead of answering, Talbot climbed up the scaffolding like a monkey Meredith had once seen at a zoo, until he was nose to nose with Jonah.
    Another log lifted and slammed down, drowning out the two men’s conversation, but Meredith saw Talbot thumping his finger on Jonah’s camera. They argued about a photograph.
    She scrambled off the stump and to the bottom of the scaffolding, where she crooked her neck to follow their conversation.
    â€œI do have a say, and I say no!”
    â€œWhy don’t you wait until they’re developed and have a look at them. Then you can decide.”
    â€œI want that plate.” Talbot fumbled for the glass.
    Jonah jerked it out of the camera, and Thatcher smacked it against the tree trunk. A large crack zigzagged across the plate. He handed it back to Jonah.
    â€œYou can’t do that,” Meredith yelled.
    Talbot glanced down at her as if she were an insignificant wood tick, then climbed down and brushed past her. The touch of his arm upon hers sent fire shooting up her shoulder. She jerked away.
    He halted, as if he felt it, too, cast her a dark look, and strutted away.
    She leaned on the bottom of the scaffolding, trembling. “Jonah! I need to speak with you.”
    The cameraman’s face was flushed. He climbed down and brushed himself off.
    â€œI need to get back to town,” Meredith said.
    Jonah nodded. “I’ll see you back to camp.”
    The two hiked toward the camp in silence until Meredith thought she would explode. “Why did you let him bully you that way? He had no right.”
    â€œHe does have a right to say if he doesn’t want his photograph published.”
    â€œHe did this just to spite me.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” Jonah said.
    Meredith mulled it over until they reached the camp. “I’m taking this to the bull.”
    Jonah snatched at her arm. “Don’t. I’ve plenty of good photographs. We don’t need it.”
    â€œYou looking for me?” a voice from behind caused Meredith to jump.
    â€œYes,” she said when she had caught her breath. “One of your men threatened Jonah.”
    â€œHow’s that?”
    â€œMeredith,” Jonah’s voice warned.
    â€œHe purposely broke one of Jonah’s plates.”
    The bull scowled at Meredith with his black eyes. “Some stories are better left untold. Men’s lives can be like that.” He tipped his hat and walked off toward his tent.
    Her mouth gaped.
    â€œIt’s not your problem, Storm.”
    â€œI’m a reporter. If…”
    â€œYou better leave so you can get to town before dark.”
    Jonah’s change of topic was like a dousing of cold water, and Meredith’s fire sputtered. She backed off. “What about you? Will you be all right here?”
    â€œI’ll be fine. I like it here, Storm. Don’t ruin it for me.”
    Meredith’s cheeks burned. “You’re right, then. I’d better go.”

    That evening Meredith soaked off her trail dust. It was worth the extra effort to use Mrs. Cooper’s rustic indoor plumbing. Water first had to be pumped, then emptied by hand. Meredith did her own pumping, but Mrs. Cooper hired a boy to empty the tub for her guests. Meredith rubbed the kinks in her neck and stretched her sore legs out over