Savage storm by Phoebe Conn Read Free Book Online

threaten me; I'll be most cooperative since I have no other choice."
    "See that you remember that fact, Miss MacLaren, because I'll not remind you of it again!" Grabbing the stallion's reins from her hands, Jason led the horse out to the three carriages which were now lined up in front of the stable and tied him securely to the rear of the last one. When he turned, he saw that Gabrielle had started walking back toward the hotel. The proud line of her back and the length of her stride plainly disclosed her angry mood. He was tempted to go after her and send her home. Clearly she was going to try his patience to the limit every step of the way, but although she had an enchanting beauty, he was uncertain that the delights her charms promised would be worth the aggravation. As if he could read Jason's thoughts. Sunny snorted derisively, defending his mistress with a toss of his finely shaped head.
    "Don't worry. Sunrise. I'll ride you myself before I'll make a pack mule of you." Jason slapped the horse's rump playfully as he walked away, intent upon loading his charges into the carriages and beginning the trek to Independence.
    When Gabrielle reached the hotel she found Clayton Home had the others waiting amidst heaps of luggage, and it was obvious that the directions the young women had been given about limiting their belongings had been disregarded. She had bound her books separately that morning to lighten the weight of her suitcase. Then she had asked the desk clerk to send her things out to the steps so she'd be ready to board a carriage.
    While Clayton seemed to think that since the carriages had carried their assembled baggage three wagons could also, Jason surveyed the mound of luggage with dismay and explained

    through clenched teeth, "There has got to he something each of you can leave behind. When you find your wagon has to be unloaded five or six times each day to prevent the wheels from becoming permanently stuck in the mud when we ford streams, then you'll begin throwing away your heaviest items first. Let's start doing it now!" He walked among the young women, offering suggestions for each until he came to Gabrielle.
    "I have just this one bag, and I will be responsible for it." Gabrielle was certain Jason Royal would think a woman needed no more than one dress, but she had already sorted her belongings at home and had brought only those she could not do without. All the other young women had come with a relative or two who could take any rejected article back home, but she was alone and so had no one who'd want her castoffs should she have any, which she was certain she hadn't.
    Jason paused no more than a moment in front of the auburn-haired beauty. "You have shown such remarkable restraint. Miss MacLaren, I'll not ask you to discard anything unless you'd like to leave a book or two."
    Gabrielle thought he might be testing her. However, his glance seemed friendly, not challenging, so she responded confidently. "I prize my books most dearly of all."
    "Then keep them," Jason muttered under his breath before he moved on, but he was pleased she'd seemed to be in a compromising mood for a change. He turned back and smiled, a sly teasing grin which made her blush. Laughing at that unexpected reaction he moved on, encouraging the others to lighten their loads so they could depart in time to reach Independence by midafternoon.
    More than an hour passed before he was satisfied he'd convinced his charges to leave a significant amount of luggage behind, and so Jason was unprepared for the lengthy leave-taking which followed. Embarrassed fathers hugged their daughters shyly, brothers simply kissed their cheeks, but their mothers and sisters wept openly at seeing their loved ones

    depart when they knew they'd most Hkely never see them again. He overheard more than one comment ahout precious little grandchildren who'd never be seen and had to turn away. It was a heart-wrenching scene yet he saw the determination in the young