Bride's Flight from Virginia City, Montana Read Free Page A

kept to the valley floor and moved the palomino along at a slow trot. It would take a couple of hours to reach the main ranch.
    “You hold on, young one,” Charlotte whispered to the calf. “I intend to take good care of a little orphan like you.”
    The calf was asleep but alive when Charlotte walked Daybreak into the yard in front of the house. It was about ten o’clock, she reckoned. She never used a watch while out on horseback but preferred to estimate time by the position of the sun. Billy Gallagher was sitting on his horse and gulping down a mug full of coffee Pete had just handed up to him when they both saw her. Billy was off his horse and at her side in an instant.
    “What happened to you?” he asked, reaching up for the calf.
    Charlotte placed it in his arms. “I guess I ran into that panther of yours.”
    “Where?”
    “Just below the Sentinel. It killed the calf’s mother.”
    “What happened to the cat?” “It’s dead.”
    “Are you cut? Are you bleeding anywhere?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “You look like you took a tumble down a mountain slope.”
    Pete helped her down from the mare. “Better let me look you over. Come inside.”
    She looked at Billy. “The calf needs warm milk.”
    “Did it have a few days to feed off its mother?”
    “I think so. She’s pretty sturdy.”
    Billy nodded. “I’ll take care of it.” He headed toward the barn.
    “What about Daybreak?” called Charlotte.
    “I’ll take care of her, too. Don’t fret. Let Pete clean you up.”
    It didn’t take long for word to get around the ranch that the Spence outfit’s ramrod had tangled with a mountain lion, and the mountain lion had come up short. Not only that, but Charlotte Spence hardly had a nick on her despite firing off two rounds with the lion pretty much sitting on her head. Charlotte lay down for an hour in her room but heard the ruckus when the hands came in for lunch. Scotty had brought in the cat, and most of the men would have seen it when they rode up. She could tell that the talk around the table was louder than usual and pushed herself off the bed.
    I had plans to do chores in town this afternoon. A brush with a mountain lion shouldn’t change that. And the boys will want to see me.
    She put on a blue dress with lace at the collar, pinned up her hair, and headed down the staircase. The men all stood up when she entered the kitchen, dropping their forks and knives and asking after her health. She smiled. They treated her like one of their sisters.
    “Boys, I’m fine. It was a good bit of excitement, I can tell you that, but I’m none the worse for wear. Pete has given me a clean bill of health, haven’t you, Pete?”
    Pete was wearing a large apron and placing another pot of coffee on the table. “A few thumps and bumps, but she’s sturdy as an oak.”
    “There you are. So thank you all for your concern, but please, sit down and finish your meals. How is the calf, Mr. Gallagher?”
    “Top notch, Miss Spence. Drank her fill and more. She’ll be all right.”
    “That’s good news. And Daybreak?”
    “Not a scratch on her, Miss Spence. I rubbed her down and gave her some oats, and she’s resting in her stall.”
    “Thank you very much. You’re a good man.” She looked around the table. “You’re all good men. I’m blessed to have such a solid outfit to keep the Spence ranch up and running.”
    “Our pleasure, ma’am,” said Laycock.
    “And now, if you don’t mind, I’ll need the black hitched up to my Philadelphia buggy, Mr. Martin, for I have some matters in town to attend to.”
    “Miss Spence,” Martin protested, “are you sure you’re fit for that?”
    “I certainly am. After all, the excitement only lasted a minute or two. I’m rested up. Pete stood over me and forced me to eat hot buttermilk biscuits with gravy to restore my strength, and now I need to get into Iron Springs before this lovely February day is gone forever. I assure you, gentlemen, that considering