The Western Dare (Harlequin Heartwarming) by Roz Denny Fox Read Free Book Online Page A

impressions of the trip before they faded. Every bone-jarring memory.
    “Didn’t you read the rules you mailed out?” Emily asked. “It’s number four. Maizie doles out a list of chores every night. She’ll rotate duties so one person doesn’t always get the cushiest jobs and vice versa.”
    “You have the rules memorized?” Camp paused in the painful act of climbing from the high wagon seat. “I barely glanced at the packet. My secretary ran copies and sent them out. Why would I study the rules? I hadn’t intended to travel with the train,” he said, as if blaming Emily for his change in plans.
    “That was evident. Still, you’d better try to borrow a copy, unless you’re expecting special privileges.”
    “Not at all.” Camp reacted to her sarcasm.
    “Then I suggest you unhitch your team. Everyone else is already headed for Maizie’s wagon.”
    “Bully for them,” he snapped, uncaring that he sounded as fractious as Megan had earlier.
    Emily pursed her lips. “Let’s go, kids.” She checked the Clydesdales’ hobbles one last time before hurrying off.
    Megan Benton didn’t budge. Mark sidled up to Camp. “I’ve never seen a bear. Are they really out there in the woods?”
    Camp considered possible answers, then discarded all but the truth. He’d decided on the policy to which his father subscribed—that all questions asked by kids deserved an honest answer.
    “Bears were a problem for the original Santa Fe trailblazers, Mark. We’re more apt to run afoul of those rattlers you mentioned. If you gather wood, take care. Roll the piece over with your toe before picking it up. Wood provides homes for a variety of spiders, as well as snakes.”
    “Oh, boy!” Mark exclaimed, then rolled his eyes as his sister let out another shriek and climbed to her knees on the wagon seat.
    “Mona said the fact Mom’s dragging us on this trip shows how weirded out she is. Toby begged me to tell some judge friend of his about this nutty plan. I wish I had. We could’ve stayed home. And I’m not doing any stupid old chores.”
    “Who are Mona and Toby?” Camp asked Mark, who—without being asked—helped stake Camp’s last horse, a Belgian named Renegade. All day Camp had called him numerous other names under his breath.
    Mark waited until they’d finished before answering Camp. “Mona and Toby are my grandparents. Since our dad died, they want us all to live with them. Mom won’t. They fight about it all the time. Megan and me hear...’cept I don’t think they know.”
    Camp, who rarely got involved in matters that didn’t concern him, was moved to support Emily. “Talk to your mother. I’m sure she has valid reasons.”
    “She’d lie,” Megan said bitterly. “Mona says it’s Mom’s fault that Dad drank too much. She didn’t try to understand him.”
    Camp thought he was hearing more about the Bentons’ private lives than Emily would want discussed. He cast around for a way to extricate himself. Unfortunately, it came in the form of Brittany Powers. She ran toward him waving two slips of paper.
    “Nolan. Nolan,” she yelled, apparently forgetting the breathy voice. “I have your chore assignment. We’re working together. Isn’t that awesome?”
    Reluctant to be teamed with Brittany, Camp nevertheless accepted one of the slips. “Well, Mark,” he said, frowning after reading it, “don’t worry about fending off snakes tonight. We’re the wood hunters.” He indicated himself and Brittany.
    “Snakes?” Brittany shivered, cleaving herself to Camp’s side. “I hate creepy crawlies. You’re just soo brave.”
    Embarrassed, Camp tried peeling the young woman off his arm. “I need to grab a pair of gloves. You’d better do the same, Brittany.”
    “I didn’t bring any, Nolan.” She drew out his name. “But I’ll tag along and keep you company.” She wound both arms around his biceps this time.
    She had a grip like a boa constrictor. “I’m sure there’s something you can