“Not yet, but I’m guessing it’s on the way. Last year Regan was on a stagecoach outlaws tried to rob, but she wasn’t allowed to testify against them at the trial because of her race. How is it back East?”
“Getting worse by the day, seemingly.”
“Another reason to stay out West.”
“Might not be a bad idea. Just seeing all these trees and imagining what they look like in warm weather, and what I could build with the wood, makes me want to stay and find out. I’ve met some interesting people here, too.”
“Yes, Odell is interesting.”
He laughed. “I meant a certain woman who wears buckskins and a buffalo coat. She’s somewhat prickly but that seems to be part of her charm.”
Spring turned to him. “I thought you were talking about me until you added that charm part.”
“I find you very charming.”
She stopped her horse and searched the sky.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for the lightning that’s coming to strike you dead for lying.”
“You don’t think you’re charming?”
“Charmingis used to describe dainty women wearing pretty dresses who drink tea from little china cups.”
“Not to me,” he said quietly. “Charming can be strength, intelligence—an unconventional way of looking at life.”
She found herself entranced again but fighting free because she had no business being attracted to a nosy newspaper man. She said, “Let’s go so you can get settled in town, and I can ride home.”
“Lead the way.”