Yellowstone Romance Series - Bundle (# 2-5) by Peggy L Henderson Read Free Book Online Page A

said. “But not until tomorrow.” She looked like a mother hen, staring at him.
    “Why can’t we leave right now?”
    “You need a day of rest, and good food to build your strength. And,” the smile she flashed him sent his mind whirling, “you need a bath.”
    He laughed. “Yeah, I guess I do smell kinda ripe. Okay, we’ll leave tomorrow. I guess I can spend a couple of days in the past.”
    The skeptical look on her face told him she didn’t believe any of it. Hell, he couldn’t blame her for that. He wouldn’t believe it, either. But what other explanation was there? He convinced himself that the answer had to be somewhere in that canyon. What if he was stuck here for good? Hell, no. He wasn’t even going to think about that.
    Sarah left the table and climbed the ladder up to the loft again. He heard a squeaking noise, like a hinge, and some rustling of materials. Minutes later she climbed back down, and held a pile of clothes out to him.
    “These britches might be too small. I think my brother isn’t as tall as you. But there is another shirt. Take these with you to the river.”
    He regarded her for a moment. He took the clothes, his hand brushing hers in the process. She jerked away, and her eyes went round. He grinned. This girl was pure as fresh snow.
    “Where’s your brother?” he asked. Sarah headed for the front door, her furry mutt at her heels. The huge dog’s head was higher than her waist.
    “My three brothers are in St. Louis. They don’t usually return before autumn.”
    “You live here by yourself?” Wasn’t that kinda dangerous? What about those Indians she’d mentioned?
    “No, my parents are at rendezvous. They will return soon.” She turned and nodded with her head in the direction of the river. Then she pointed to the mountain he’d been told was called National Park Mountain. “See the river coming out of that mountain?”
    He nodded.
    “You can swim across the Madison further downstream to reach it. The water is warmer in that river.”
    “Yeah, I’ve been in the Firehole. My buddies and I did some cliff jumping a few miles south of here.” Something else we would have gotten in a heap of trouble for.
     Sarah gave him a befuddled look. She shook her head slightly, and Chase thought she was about to say something. Apparently she thought better if it. He started walking across the meadow, the moist grasses from the early morning dew tickling his feet.
    “Aren’t you coming with me?” he called over his shoulder when Sarah stayed behind.
    She shook her head. “I will prepare some food for when you return.”
    Suit yourself, Angel. Chase pulled the shirt he wore over his head, and dropped it and the clothes he carried before reaching the riverbank, and with a loud whoop and running start, jumped into the water. He had expected it to be cold. A week ago, he and the other guys on the trail maintenance crew had soaked their feet in this river after a hard day of digging. Now, as his head resurfaced, he drew in a sharp breath. The water was frigid beyond belief. Better get to where the warmer waters from the Firehole flowed further downstream.
    Sarah shouted his name, and he turned his head, treading water. Her beautiful long hair flowed behind her as she loped across the meadow towards him, her arms full with some kind of bundle. Despite the cold water, his body seemed to heat up at the sight of her.
    “You should have a blanket to dry off with when you’re done,” she called to him at the river’s edge. She laid the bundle next to his pile of clothing in the grass.
    “Thanks.” He flashed her a grin. She turned to leave. “Hey, Sarah!” He waited for her to face his way again. “Catch.” Yep, she had quick reflexes. He laughed at the mortified expression on her face. Her eyes grew round as saucers, and her mouth fell open when she realized she held his soaking wet shorts and boxers in her hands. He laughed harder when she dropped them as if they had burned her.