Rocky Mountain Oasis Read Free

Sky with a pointed look. “That news about Chang…well, that ain’t the only news you missed hearin’ about. You need to get to town more often.”
    The venomous glare Jason sent Jed piqued Sky’s interest. “Oh yeah?” He cautiously tried a bite of potatoes. Not too bad this time. Maybe he could smother the meat with them.
    Jed’s twinkling eyes remained fixed on Jason, and a smile twitched the corner of his mouth as silence filled the room.
    Sky looked to his cantankerous cousin, one eyebrow raised in question. Several of the men shifted uneasily. Everyone seemed to know what Jed was referring to except him.
    Jason waved away his unspoken question with a flip of his hand.
    “Aw! Ain’t you gonna tell ol’ Sky here about yer plans?”
    Jason ignored Jed and scooped another bite into his mouth.
    Sky turned his questioning eyes on Jed, continuing to eat calmly.
    Jed spoke around a mouthful of meat. “Your cousin is soon gonna be married. Or so he’s been tellin’ it.”
    Sky’s fork stopped halfway up from his plate and he blinked in surprise. What woman in her right mind would marry Jason ?
    Jason growled, throwing his fork onto his plate with a clatter. “Jed, you wouldn’t know a secret if it bit you!” He turned belligerent eyes on Sky. “That’s right. I’ve got a mail-order bride coming in on tomorrow’s stage to Greer’s Ferry. I’m going to have me a pretty little wife to cook for me...and keep me warm at night.” He jabbed his elbow into Max’s ribs, a dissolute leer spreading on his face.
    Sky set his fork down quietly. Pushing away from the table, he stood and walked over to the blackened coffee pot near the fire. Pouring himself a cup, his movements deliberate and casual, he contemplated the situation. His heart went out to the poor girl. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so surprised.
    “You got a picture of this woman?” He hooked a thumb through his belt loop, watching Jason through the steam drifting up from his mug as he took a sip of coffee.
    Jason gave his habitual snort. “Like I’d show it to you. Pretty little thing, though. And young, too. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow night.” The lewd grin was back before he stuffed a large piece of meat into his cheek.
    “Well, let me be the first to offer you my congratulations.” Sky lifted his coffee mug in a toast. “To the happy groom.” No one in the room responded; he hadn’t expected them to. Turning back he gazed into the fire. A log dropped, shooting a cascade of orange sparks upwards. The silence in the room hovered palpably; only the crackling of the fire and the clatter of silverware disturbed the stillness.
    Lord, what should I do? I wouldn’t give a dog I liked to Jason. You know I care for him, but... Sky tried to think of a solution. Nothing came to mind.
    Weariness weighted his eyes and, remembering he still had to travel home tonight, he set his cup down.
    Turning to Jed, he placed a hand on his stomach and grinned. “Best hog swill I’ve had in a long time, Jed.”
    Jed grunted, waving his fork in dismissal.
    To Fraser, he said, “Been a pleasure, Fraser. See you again soon.”
    Fraser regarded him with a friendly smile as he wiped the corners of his mouth with long, slender fingers. “Sky, always good doing business with you.” Sky nodded and Fraser’s eyes held Sky’s for a moment, questioning what he was going to do about Jason’s situation, before he turned back to his food.
    “Good night, gentlemen,” Sky said to the rest of the men at the table. The leather of his hat felt smooth against his fingers as he removed it from the peg by the door and pushed it back onto his head, exiting onto the now-darkened street.
    The muffled sound his boots made in the soft dust of the roadbed didn’t carry far into the cricket-serenaded night. At the rail in front of Fraser’s Mercantile he untied his mule. Leading it further down the street toward the livery, he studied the starry sky.