Love's Story Read Free Page B

into a groove in the wooden plank. “Let’s just get back to work, shall we?”

    By midafternoon, Meredith and Jonah had nearly concluded their business. They would travel by land, and they had secured a guide. They stayed in the Outfitters long enough to make several purchases. Meredith did not miss how Jonah’s eyes widened when she examined the men’s clothing, cut in a very small size.
    â€œGet yourself some loggers’ clothing, Jonah. We’ll fit in better when we reach the camp.”
    â€œI don’t see anything here that appeals to my sense of…”
    â€œNonsense!” she interrupted, grabbing his sleeve. “Here.” She placed a set of trousers in his arms. “And you’ll probably need this.” Another article slapped him across the shoulder.
    â€œIf you insist that I wear these duds, then move out of the way, Storm. I’ll do my own choosing.”
    â€œYou don’t need to get in a huff about it. I’ll work on the rest of our list. It was so good of our guide to make it for us.”
    Jonah pointed. “Better get some different shoes while you’re at it.”
    â€œYou’re absolutely correct,” she said, and noticed the glitter of surprise in his eyes.
    After that, they each purchased a set of saddlebags, and Jonah bargained with the store owner to trade their travelling trunks for several leather bags. When all the arrangements for their trip were in order, Meredith and Jonah returned to their hotel to dine and retire early. They would leave in the morning.

Chapter 2
    M eredith rose early and dressed in her newly purchased male attire. She hesitated outside the hotel lobby. The clothes she could get used to, but not the abominable hat. She owned a multitude, all colorful and elaborately embellished with feathers and bows and birds and whatever attracted her attention and her delight. But this one was plain brown and round like a soup bowl with a large brim, which she supposed was to shield her face from the sun. It also hid her long brown hair, secured beneath in a tidy knot. Her hand crept up to examine…
    â€œStorm! You’re up.”
    Meredith jerked her hand down. “Don’t do that!”
    â€œSorry,” Jonah said with a grin. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He studied her. “Sensible clothes. Let’s have breakfast.”
    She felt relieved that her travelling companion awoke on the congenial side, yet she regretted his catching her in a vain moment.

    Breakfast was hot and filling. Soon they were outside the hotel. Their guide, Silas Cooke, appeared right on time.
    Meredith strode toward him. “Good morning, Mr. Cooke.”
    Silas Cooke watched her with skepticism; his eyes flitted across Jonah, then returned to her with a new brightness. “Good morning to you, Miss Mears.” His blue gaze ran over her appraisingly, and his beard gave an odd twitch. “Didn’t recognize you right off. See you’re a sensible woman.”
    Jonah chuckled. “I’ve heard her called a ‘new woman’ repeatedly, but never ‘sensible.’”
    Meredith gave Jonah a cutting look. “You said so just this morning.”
    Jonah stared at her feet. “I said your clothes were sensible. By the way, those boots look comfortable.”
    â€œWe’re wasting time,” Meredith said.
    Silas brought around the horses and two pack mules. Meredith needed assistance mounting the smallest horse. She imagined her riding would improve on this assignment. For some reason this small challenge gave her great satisfaction, and poised straight in the saddle, she felt eager to start the assignment of a lifetime.
    Meredith soon shed her self-consciousness where her clothing was concerned. No one gave her a second look. Loggers and miners passing through San Francisco were a commonplace event. The morning passed pleasantly without incident. Jonah pointed out the tall