Take Only Pictures by Laina Villeneuve Read Free Book Online

sort of reputation that the cowboys and store clerk had been talking about with her own initial response, when she felt the cowgirl’s eyes on her. Kristine’s expression shifted again, but Gloria didn’t know her well enough to interpret it. It was not delight, but it wasn’t dread either. Gloria felt herself warm as Kristine held on to her gaze. Gabe’s voice broke the contact, allowing Gloria to release the breath she’d been holding.
    “Quit picking on my sister before she decides to hightail it out of here again,” he said, returning with a guitar. “I trusted you’d be giving her a better welcome back than this.”
    She couldn’t help notice how appealing Kristine was in her tight Wrangler jeans. The coat she had added concealed her tailored plaid shirt that, tucked in, highlighted her narrow hips. It added to her rugged appeal that Gloria was sure went over well with vacationers. It was easy to imagine women getting swept off their feet.
    “It’s you she’s doing the favor for,” Dozer said. “Us she quit out on, no goodbye, no nothing.”
    A tense silence followed his statement, and it was clear in the way everyone looked at Kristine that they wanted an answer from her. Gloria saw a blush rise on her cheeks and wondered what could throw off the woman who had seemed so sure of herself in earlier conversation.
    “I needed a change of scenery,” Kristine said.
    “Didn’t the scenery down at the campground change enough to suit you?” Dozer goaded.
    “Drop it,” Gabe said.
    “What? It’s no secret how she chased tail. Always wanted to have what we’ve got.” Dozer reached down and rearranged his package.
    Kristine’s color deepened. She’d opened her mouth to reply but bit back whatever it was when Sol walked up behind Dozer and roughly patted his back.
    “You’re the only one who’s ever been in love with that thing,” Sol growled. “Where the hell’s the Jim Beam, and why aren’t you playing that goddamned thing?” he barked at Gabe. The entire demeanor of the campfire changed as the old man pushed through the group and sat next to Gloria.
    “Don’t let these pissheads scare you off, girl,” he said, pouring two cups of bourbon and handing one to her. She blinked and accepted the cup, wondering where the conversation would have gone if Sol had not interrupted. She watched Kristine as she assessed the seating options, caught her eye and motioned to the chair beside her, inviting her to sit.
    Again, she couldn’t read Kristine’s expression. After a moment’s hesitation, she took a few steps and dropped into the camp chair to Gloria’s left. She raised her lips in a courteous smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Her shoulders still held tension as she opened a microbrew and tilted it back.
    They sat in silence as the rest of the group settled in, and again Gloria wondered about the group’s history, why Kristine had left and why she was back now. Kristine rolled the bottle in her hands, seemingly uncomfortable in the circle, and Gloria struggled to think of something appropriate to say. Gabe tuned his guitar. She didn’t recognize the song, but a few voices joined Gabe’s. Kristine finally breathed out, appearing to relax a little. She glanced at Gloria and offered the smile that had captivated her in the café.
    Gloria took Kristine’s smile as an all clear. “So…Teeny? How does a woman of your stature get a nickname like that?”
    “Ugh. I was a late bloomer,” she responded, swigging from her bottle. “I was a regular beanpole when I was seventeen. But later, even when my size didn’t match the name, it was their way of reminding me of my place. You heard Dozer, I’m sure. They’ve always seen me as the tagalong for wanting to learn what they were doing…well packing the mules anyway. I never wanted to cook for the overnight trips or lead the day rides. I’ve always wanted to be with the stock, and some didn’t take to that too well.” Her eyes stayed on her