[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

neat and looked cared for. A young man appeared from behind a blue-curtained doorway on the left.
 Evening, folks. He stepped toward them.
Gideon took the man s measure and saw nothing in his stance or demeanor that suggested he was a
threat.  Good evening. I m Gideon Blackwood and this is my wife, Chloe.
She accidentally stepped on his foot.  Pleased to meetcha.
 Likewise, Mrs. Blackwood. I m Joseph Newton. What can I help you with? The stranger s blue
gaze was guileless.
 We were ambushed about two days back. We lost our money and my good horse. I was hoping there
was a bank in town, and I could get some money wired to me to buy new supplies.
The man nodded, his black curls bobbing with the movement.  Sure thing. Ambrose Moore runs the
bank. He s likely still there. Why don t I take you over there, and Mrs. Blackwood can start getting what
you all need.
Gideon glanced down at her. She looked like she had no idea how to even pick a spool of thread much
less what was needed for a hard trail ride.
74 www.samhainpublishing.com
Devils on Horseback: Gideon
 You have someone who can help her?
 Yup, my wife Daisy is upstairs taking care of her daddy. This used to be his store. Joseph stepped
toward the curtain and pulled it back.  Daisy, can you come down and help some folks?
Gideon heard a faint feminine response, then the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. When
Mrs. Newton appeared, he couldn t help but smile. She was as small as Chloe, with light brown hair, a bit
plumper, but she could help his  wife pick out clothes that would fit her.
 Mrs. Newton, my name s Gideon Blackwood and this is my wife, Chloe. I d be grateful if you could
help her pick out new clothes, any sundries she needs and food for a week s trail ride on horseback. He
tipped his hat, and she smiled broadly, her apple cheeks rosy in the evening light.
 Sure thing, Mr. Blackwood. I d be happy to help. She stepped toward the corner of the store stocked
full of ready-made clothes, but Chloe didn t follow.
 I don t need no clothes. Her fierce whisper was meant for his ears only.
 Yes, you do. You need a split skirt to ride, and I would actually pay her to burn that thing you re
wearing. He leaned down, seemingly to kiss her cheek, but instead he bit her earlobe.
She jumped a few inches and stared at him with wide eyes.
 Spend as much as you want. We re not leaving here until you have the clothes you need.
 You re loco, Gid.
 I ve heard that before.
He turned to follow Joseph out of the store before she could say another word. Gideon glanced back
and was pleased to see Chloe over by the clothing while Mrs. Newton chattered away at her.
Chloe had never bought ready-made clothes before. Heck, she d never even touched them before. The
storekeeper s wife was friendly enough, but she was pulling out all kinds of frilly things Chloe wasn t sure
what to do with.
She finally had to say something, much as it pained her.  My husband and me ain t been married
long. I don t know much about how to dress proper.
Daisy stopped and regarded her with her pretty brown eyes.  Don t worry, Mrs. Blackwood. I can
show you everything you need to know.
Chloe wasn t sure what  everything meant, but she nodded anyway. Then her lesson began in how
ladies dressed. There were layers and layers, plus something called a corset which she refused to wear
and lacy stuff until she thought she d run from the store.
When Daisy pulled out a simple cotton chemise and drawers, Chloe was grateful to see just how plain
they were.
 Those two.
The shopkeeper frowned at them.  Are you sure? These are just cotton.
www.samhainpublishing.com 75
Beth Williamson
 I m sure. I don t need anything fancy. She took the garments from Daisy, surprised by how soft
they were.
 Now you re about the same height as me, so I know what will fit you. Daisy fussed around for a
few minutes, pulling out a few dresses, skirts and blouses. She stopped and snapped her fingers.  I know
just the thing. One of the rancher s wives makes leather clothing for me to sell. She made this riding skirt
last year, but it s too small for most everyone. It was a leftover piece of leather, and she thought maybe
someone would buy it for their daughter. Nobody did.
Daisy dug around on a shelf until she pulled out the most beautiful skirt Chloe had ever seen. It was
the color of butternut squash, obviously well tanned and softened. She reached out to touch it and found it
softer than the cotton undergarments in her hand.
 It s beautiful. Her voice was barely above a whisper.
 It s yours. Daisy handed it to her.  I never thought I d sell it, and I know Beatrice would be glad
someone would get use out of it.
 I can t take this without paying for it. Chloe rubbed her cheek on the leather, breathing in its rich
scent.
 You ll pay for everything else, so we ll just call this one a gift for a weary traveler. Daisy smiled.
 Now let s get you a blouse to wear, a couple dresses, stockings and some boots. Then we ll work on
supplies for your trail ride.
Chloe hadn t met anyone like Daisy before, but she liked her. She was honest, nice and respectful,
didn t treat her as if she was lower than dirt, like some folks did. Whether it was due to the promise of
Gideon s money or the woman s innate goodness, Chloe wasn t sure she wanted to know.
After a brief conversation and a wire to Tanger, the banker gave Gideon a letter of credit to use with [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]