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

to lose contact with you. What is the name of your husband’s family in Kentucky?”

“MacKlenna, and the farm is in Lexington.”

“If I do not hear from you by the end of the year, I will write to Mr. MacKlenna.”

She rubbed a finger beneath her nose and tried to think of a response that would make sense if he did write to her and she didn’t write back. “If we decide to travel before we return to New York, I’ll ask Mr. MacKlenna to reply to your correspondence.” She’d have to tell JC’s relatives that if TR contacted them, they should tell TR that she and JC went to Europe or California for an extended visit.

They arrived back at the campsite to find Remy and Austin hanging out at the chuckwagon, drinking coffee with Norman.

Austin looked her way. “Are you ready?”

“I guess so.” But damn, she hated this. She would never see TR again, and there was still so much she wanted to know.

She and TR stood there awkwardly until she just threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. It took him a moment to hug her back, and they just kind of sighed into each other.

“I don’t think this is at all proper,” he said.

“I don’t care. Do you?”

He separated from her. “No, but your husband would.”

“No, he wouldn’t. Where we come from, friends give friends hugs when they meet, when they depart, and sometimes just for the heck of it.”

“You are too thin, Mrs. Fraser. Be sure your husband’s relatives feed you plates of fried chicken, dumplings, cornbread, biscuits, and gravy.”

“Cornbread and biscuits? Do you want me to get fat?”

“No one would notice a few p0unds,” TR said.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She gathered up Ferdiad’s reins.

Austin stepped over to her side. “I’ll give you a leg up.” He reached for her bent leg and gave her a boost, then adjusted the stirrups. “They hit right at your ankle. How do they feel?”

“Good. Thanks.”

TR smiled up at her. “Be careful. And write when you can.”

She leaned out of the saddle and kissed his cheek. “I’ll never forget you, Teddy. Thanks for giving me a chance. We’ll dine in New York City soon. Until then, work on your manuscript, socialize with friends, travel, and enjoy your daughter.”

He removed his glasses and cleaned them with his handkerchief. “I will.”

She nudged Ferdiad forward but wanted to leave TR with a lasting impression. Using her legs and hands, she signaled the horse to rear. As the stallion pawed the air, she waved her hat. “Every beginning comes from another beginning’s end. Farewell, my friends.”

Ferdiad’s front feet hit the ground, and he took off at a gallop. Ensley let him run full out while tears streamed down her face. Finally, he slowed to a trot, and Remy and Austin caught up with her.

“The lady knows how to make a fuckin’ exit. Impressive,” Remy said. “I’d be playin’ a drum roll if I had my sticks.”

“That was straight out of the movies,” Austin said, grinning.

She wiped the back of her hand across her face. “I just wanted it to be memorable. I don’t want TR to forget me. I thought that image would stick in his mind for a while. I know it’s selfish, but being with him has been the highlight of my life.”

Austin pulled up his horse, and so did she. He used his thumb and rubbed it across her cheekbones rhythmically as he wiped away the remainder of her tears. “Then, Ensley Williams, it’s time for you to have more memorable experiences and create another highlight of your life.”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“I do. So hang on for the ride.”

There was a wistfulness in his voice, a hint that maybe he was afraid he’d changed something in their relationship—if that’s what they had—with his unexpected declaration.

They nudged their horses and joined Remy to ride off toward Medora and the train to take them home.

And in the back of Ensley’s mind, she knew the ride would be on a bronc, not on a gentle mare.

She still had a confession to make.

49

The Train (1885)—Austin

By the time they reached Medora late the next afternoon, Ensley was nodding off in the saddle. If Austin didn’t find a place for her to sleep in the next few minutes, she’d fall off her horse and land on the muddy ground. Even if he had to buy a house in Medora to use just for the night, he would find her an un-infested bed and a clean bathtub.

Watching her head bob when she jerked awake, he marveled at the small bundle of flesh and bones and muscles that made her a warrior woman. She was strong in all the right places. Soft in all the important places. And hotter than hell in all the desirable places. And he hadn’t been this hot for a woman since…well…he couldn’t remember when.

Ensley was different, and his interest in her surprised the hell out of him. She wasn’t his type. He went for model-gorgeous women with big boobs and full lips, and Ensley was more like some of his aunts—small and slight but muscular, intelligent, beautiful, courageous, and funny. The type of woman you married. Not the kind you screwed for a few weeks and then moved on.

Remy caught him staring at her yesterday and gave him a look that said, “Watch your ass, man.” And he knew what Remy meant. She was a five-foot-two ballbuster who could ride a bronc and wouldn’t put up with any of his shit.

When she was in his arms the morning after the fight with the bear, he’d been afraid she’d notice his hard-on and move away from him, but she never did. He didn’t know what that meant and damned if he’d ask Remy. Maybe she didn’t notice, but he wasn’t a small guy. How could she not?

Hell, she’d almost been killed by a bear, and then Remy drugged her, so his wood was probably the last thing she