Mistletoe Mayhem: Clean Historical Western Cowboy Romance Novel (Dawson Chronicles Book 1) by Linda Bridey Read Free Book Online Page A

feeling?” she asked, remembering Joey telling their family about his injuries. 
                  “Not great, but Dr. Walker is gonna do surgery on my ankle tomorrow, so it’ll get better,” he said.
                  She was genuinely concerned.  “I was sorry to hear about you being hurt.  I hope your surgery goes well.”
                  “Thanks.  Well, I better not keep Pa waiting.  Take care, Devon.”
                  Devon put a halting hand on his arm.  “It really is good to see you, Sawyer.  Good luck tomorrow.  I’ll be thinking about you.”
                  Bitterness rose in his chest.  “That’s probably not a good idea in case something happens to me, Devon.  Isn’t that what you were afraid of?  I guess you were right.  I don’t think Teddy would like you thinking about me very much, or isn’t he the jealous type?”
                  Her eyes sparked blue fire as her temper flared.  She snatched her hand away and walked into the store without another word to him.  Sawyer watched her go and then saw her father standing a short distance away.  Had Joe heard him?  He didn’t much care.
                  The gregarious Texan hadn’t been able to hear the young people’s conversation, but he could tell that it had been tense.  He thought it was a shame that it hadn’t worked out between them when it had been clear that they’d loved each other so much.  Smiling, he walked over to Sawyer.
                  “There’s one of our heroes,” he said, holding out a hand to him.
                  Sawyer shook it.  “Hello, sir.  It’s good to see you.”
                  “Good to see you, too, son.  Joey says that Ben’s gonna get you fixed up tomorrow,” Joe said, noticing the way Sawyer had winced when they’d shaken hands.  He didn’t mention it, though, knowing that it would only hurt Sawyer’s already smarting pride.
                  “That’s right.  Even so, it doesn’t look like I’ll be going back,” Sawyer said.
                  “Well, son, you can be proud of yourself for going and fighting for your country.  You did your best and I know you were a good soldier,” Joe said, smiling.  “You’re good with all kinds of weapons and you were raised around warriors, so I’m sure you gave ‘em hell,” Joe said.
                  Sawyer grinned.  “I sure did.”
                  Joe nodded.  “Now, look.  If you need anything, you let us know, ok?  Anything at all.”
                  “Thanks, Mr. Dwyer,” Sawyer said.
                  “You bet.”  Joe considered not voicing his next thought, but then went ahead.  “I know things ended badly with you and Devon, but don’t let that keep you from comin’ to see us, ok?  I know Lacey and the rest would like to see you.  So come on over when you’re up and around again.”
                  “Yes, sir,” Sawyer said.  “I will.”
                  “I’m gonna hold you to that,” Joe said, his hazel eyes serious.
                  “I know you will.”
                  Joe smiled, nodded, and followed his daughter inside the store.
     
    *****
     
                  That evening, Lacey Dwyer tried to keep the tears out of her brown eyes as she read the latest letter from their son, Kyle.  Finishing it, she handed it to Joe, who sat up in the bed next to her reading, of all things, a romance book.  He laughed at something and closed it before taking the letter from his wife.  He sat the book on his nightstand and began reading the letter.
     
    Dear Family,
                 
                  It’s been raining here for three days straight and I feel like a drowned rat.  I’m sorry for the condition of this letter, but it’s hard to