The Drifter by Vicki Lewis Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

whitewashed like the main house, with the same red-tiled roof and a miniature porch shaded by several gracefully arching trees. Two Adirondack chairs on the porch reminded Amanda of her parents’ beach house and made her feel more at home.
    â€œI didn’t expect so many trees in the desert,” she said to Belinda as they reached the porch.
    â€œMany Easterners don’t.” Belinda mounted the single step to the porch and produced a ring of keys from the pocket of her cotton trousers. “The ones with the avocado-green trunks and branches that look like feather dusters are palo verde, and the ones with the gnarled black trunks and delicate leaves are mesquite. Out here we prize our trees, because we prize the shade.”
    â€œI can understand that.” She was drenched in perspiration. “Is the cottage air-conditioned?”
    â€œOh, yes.” Belinda opened the door and cool air poured out, beckoning Amanda inside. “And fortunately, Chase had the good sense to turn it on for you when he brought over your bags,” she added, stepping inside and walking over to adjust a crooked window shade.
    Amanda followed her in and closed the door of the one-room cottage. The high-beamed ceiling and whitewashed walls gave it an open, airy look. Amanda’s practiced eye noted genuine antique furnishings, and the comforter on the black walnut four-poster was trimmed in Battenburg lace. On a bedside table sat an imitation 1920s phone, and through the open bathroom door she glimpsed a clawfoot tub.
    Belinda cleared her throat, and Amanda realized she expected a comment on the cottage. “It’s lovely,” she said, and meant it.
    Belinda smiled. “Most think so, even the ones who’ve stayed at fancy hotels. We’re proud of the True Love. Did Chase tell you that John Wayne used to stay at the ranch when he was filming in Old Tucson?”
    â€œNo, he didn’t.”
    â€œShame on that boy. Then he probably didn’t tell you how the ranch got its name, either.”
    Amanda sank to the edge of the bed and hoped it wasn’t a long story. Belinda had been so good to her, but she was very tired, and Bartholomew would want to nurse again soon. “No, he didn’t.”
    â€œThaddeus Singleton—he’s the one who homesteaded the ranch in 1882—fell in love with a dance-hall girl and decided to marry her. Well, the proper ladies of Tucson thought it was scandalous and told him so. He married Clara anyway, and called the ranch the True Love, just to show those old busybodies. His brand is a heart with an arrow through it.”
    â€œI’ve seen that logo.” Amanda was unwillingly drawn into the tale. “Did they live happily ever after?”
    â€œAbsolutely. Thaddeus built Clara a little adobe house, not much bigger than this cottage, over near what’s now the north boundary of the ranch. He even burned that brand into the lintel above the door.”
    â€œHow sweet.”
    â€œUp until six weeks ago, you could still see the ruins of it, but there was a stampede that leveled it. Freddy and Ry found the lintel, split in two, and Ry had it pieced together and framed. They’re mounting it on an easel for the wedding ceremony out by the old homestead.”
    â€œThe wedding’s going to be outside?” Amanda had a tough time imagining it in this heat.
    â€œOutside, and on horseback,” Belinda said.
    â€œReally!”
    â€œIt should be interesting, what with Ry’s best man being a dude and all. He’s a commodities trader from New York who says he can ride, but we’ve all heard that before.”
    To her surprise, Amanda discovered that she wanted to see that wedding, especially after witnessing the pool incident between this intriguing couple. But she probably wouldn’t be around day after tomorrow.
    Bartholomew began to wiggle and make squeaking sounds.
    â€œLooks as if the little fellow wants