The Sunstone Brooch : Time Travel Romance Katherine Logan (no david read aloud TXT) 📖

“Chris Dalton. He was a six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, ten scoring titles, five MVP Awards—”

“Okay, I don’t follow sports, but even I get that his father was a special player. He must have taken Austin’s accident especially hard.”

“Chris was there for Austin. As soon as the doctors released him to practice, Chris was on the court with him every day. But it only reminded Austin of what he lost, so he locked his father out, too.”

“I can see everyone giving Austin a break, but his behavior would get old fast. I’ve only been around him a few minutes, and he’s already worn out his welcome with me.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ll do what I can to keep him away from you.”

“I’d appreciate it. I’d like to enjoy the rest of the time I have here with TR.”

“How long have you been here? And why’d you and JC split up?”

“JC said his family would rescue us, but he didn’t know when. And he was worried about having enough money. He had gold nuggets but thought we’d be better off with more. So he wanted to go to MacKlenna Farm and borrow some from Braham McCabe’s secret stash.”

Tavis chuckled. “It’s a good idea. But why didn’t you go?”

“I grew up here just a few miles from the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. As a kid, I was a Junior Ranger. I’d walk around the park and have imaginary conversations with Teddy. And right now, I can have conversations in person. I didn’t want to leave. Roosevelt said he was going back to New York City in a couple of weeks, so the three of us made plans to travel together. JC’s meeting us in Cleveland, and we’ll all take the train to New York.”

“He didn’t count on his parents coming after him. They’ll insist he go home with them.”

“He won’t go. We talked about it, and he promised me time with TR. I’m going to hold him to it.” She glanced behind her to see where Austin and Remy were. “You winked at me. Was that a ‘we’re in cahoots together’ wink?”

“I know you rejected Austin’s manuscript, and I didn’t want you to say anything. He was pretty ticked about it, and probably still is. I wouldn’t bring it up.”

“I won’t, but you make it sound like I broke his heart. He’s got a big enough ego to survive a rejection letter.”

“Maybe at one time, but not now.”

They had slowed down while they chatted, and now Remy and Austin caught up with them.

“So, what are we going to do?” Austin asked. “Go home now that we have her?”

“Erggg.”

“We can’t leave until we hear from JC,” Tavis said.

“I agree,” she said.

“We need to send a telegram to the farm to make sure he’s there and let Elliott know we’re with you. Where’s the closest Western Union?”

“Probably Medora,” Ensley said. “It’s about thirty-five miles south of Elkhorn Ranch. You all can do that while I go on the roundup with TR.”

“No, baby doll. We’re all going,” Austin said.

“What’d you call me?”

“Baby doll. You’re five-two, blue eyes, blond hair. Yep, a baby doll.”

Her cheeks heated, and she had to be careful not to strangle Tesoro with the reins. “You. Are. A. Total. Asshat. I’ve got to go. TR will wonder what happened to me.”

“Wait a minute,” Tavis said. “We’ve got to send a telegram. So who’s going?”

“We shouldn’t split up,” Remy said. “Look what’s happened here. JC left Ensley. Now we’re here, and we don’t know for sure where he is.”

“I’ll go, then,” Tavis said. “I need to update Elliott anyway. I’ll take Austin with me, and we’ll be back tomorrow evening.”

“I’m not going! You want to go, go! I’m staying put,” Austin said.

Remy looked at Austin, and his upper lip curled. “You’re an asshole.” Then to Tavis, he asked, “If you leave, how will you find us?”

“I’ll probably hear Austin bitching from a mile away.”

“JC said he would send a telegram when he got there. He planned to hire someone in Medora to deliver it to me, but I haven’t received one. Chances are the person took JC’s money, and the telegram is still waiting there for me. Will you ask?”

“Of course,” Tavis said.

Ensley looked at his lathered black stallion. He couldn’t possibly ride to Medora on his Thoroughbred. “Take Tesoro. He’s built for endurance, and I haven’t ridden him hard today.”

“None better than an Akhal-Teke. Where’d you get him?”

“I think Erik sold him to TR, but nobody could ride him but me, so I don’t know if he’ll let you.”

“He will,” Tavis said. “I normally wouldn’t borrow someone else’s horse, but in this situation, yours looks fresher than mine.” He hesitated a moment. “I’ll take you up on the offer.”

She dismounted and unsaddled Tesoro. Then she kissed his forehead. “I’ll see you soon.”

Tavis put his saddle on Tesoro, then saddled his horse with Ensley’s tack. “Remy, leave me some signs. And I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

Ensley folded her arms, watching Tavis as he mounted Tesoro, and waited for him to buck. But he didn’t. Tesoro remained as still for Tavis as he did for her.

Tavis settled into the saddle and patted the horse’s neck. “Arthfael, run like the wind.” The horse flicked his ears then reared in a perfect hi-yo Silver. That made her think of her mom again. She loved old TV shows, and she loved them most of all when Ensley watched them with her.

Ensley yelled. “What does Arthfael mean?”

Tesoro galloped off, and Tavis yelled back, “‘Bear strength.’ See you in twenty-four hours.”

The sun glinted off her golden horse as he grew smaller and smaller until he was just a dot on the horizon. “Why’d he call my horse by a different name?”

Remy shrugged. “Tavis is as mysterious as Erik. Come on. Let’s go find your hero.”

She was surprised by the grief that overwhelmed her. She was unsettled, and it wasn’t just the loss of her horse. “I don’t even know his horse’s name.”

“It’s Ferdiad,”