Noah by Kelli Ann Morgan Read Free Book Online

wait. There was something
about this Clifford Thomas that made him want to punch the man in the nose and
send him right back to Abilene with all of his presumptions and lack of respect.
He watched the man jaw at his food like he was a prince in his palace and lost
his appetite.
    He needed air.
    He and Levi had been on the road for most of
the day. Then, when they’d arrived in town, he’d witnessed a full on lynching
of the man Levi had told him about—the one who had killed Kate’s father. To top
it all off, he met the woman he’d travelled all this way to marry, only to
discover he wasn’t her only would-be suitor. He was exhausted and looked
forward to a good night’s sleep in a real bed. His head would be clearer in the
morning.
    He stood.
    “Well, thank you kindly for the supper, Miss
Fannie, and for the pleasure of making your acquaintance, Miss Callahan. I best
be heading out if I’m going to make it back to town in time to get any sleep
tonight.” Luckily, the ranch was only a few miles out of town. He should be
able to make it to the inn he’d seen at the far edge within the hour.
    Kate stood as well.
    “I hope it wasn’t presumptuous of me, Mr.
Deardon, but I already had Dell put both Levi’s and your things in the
bunkhouse.” She stood, her plate in hand, and walked over to the sink to
deposit her dishes, then turned back to look at him.
    “That’s mighty kind of you, ma’am.” He reached
up and tipped the air where the brim of his hat normally rested on his head. “I’d
be much obliged. Thank you.”
    “Are you sure you wouldn’t like something to
eat?” she asked, pointing at the large pot of stew warming on the stove.
    “I’m real grateful for your hospitality, ma’am.
The horses have been out there tied to the post a might too long. Apollo needs
to be attended to—brushed down and fed.”
    “I’ll show him to the stables, Kate,” Levi
said, joining Noah at the door.
    “I think I’ll turn in after that, if it’s all
right with you, of course,” Noah said, pulling the door open. “It’s been a long
day.”
    She nodded. “Of course.”
    He managed a smile before he took a step over
the threshold, then stopped, leaning back through the door to look at her.
“Miss Callahan, it’s been a real pleasure to meet and talk with you. Thank
you.”
    He walked out into the yard and over to the
hitching post where Levi’s mule of a horse was tied up next to Apollo and the chestnut
mount Kate had ridden into town.
    “You really need to get a new horse,” Noah told
his cousin with amusement. “When you’re not riding the train, you need a mount
that will get you out to some of these towns without worrying your pony is
going to up and die on you.”
    “Mock all you want, but this little fella got
me all the way to Oregon to collect you, now didn’t he? And back.”
    “That he did. Just don’t say I didn’t warn
you.”
    “I know,” Levi relented. “If my brothers saw
what I was riding, I’d never hear the end of it. Especially from Cole. He’s been
working with a new stallion, imported from overseas and bought at auction. Mama
says he’s even riding bareback.”
    Noah took Apollo and Kate’s chestnut horse by
the reins, the wagon still attached, and followed Levi toward the barn. After backing
the buckboard into the corner, next to what looked like a winter sleigh, he unhitched
the team, then he and Levi led all three mounts to the stable where they
discovered a couple of stalls had already been cleaned and swept out for them.
    “Here, I’ll take her.” One of the ranch hands
appeared behind them, reaching out for the reins on Kate’s mare. “It’s nice to
see you again, Mr. Redbourne,” he said with a nod, then turned to Noah. “Name’s
Virg.”
    Noah handed him the requested reins.
    “Noah.”
    “Mr. Walker told me you might be staying a
while. Let me know if you need anything.” He tipped his hat and headed to
another stall to take care of the