Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

Hal's Lucky Escape

Rejected Mail-Order Grooms, Book 9

by Zina Abbott 

… Back to Kurt’s situation. Even though I cannotgo, you, on the other hand, will be off a stage route for over a month whilethat arm heals. I’m sure, once I send Kurt a telegram explaining you will go inmy place, he trusts you enough to—”

          “Whoa, whoa!” Halthrew up his hand, palm toward Ash. “Go in your place where? He trusts meenough to escort his cousin—two of them—by wagon train or steamboat where?” Herubbed his temples with his fingers and thumb of his right hand. “You knowneither one of those options appeal to me.”

          “Hal, do I haveyour word you will not discuss this with anyone?” Ash sighed. “No one at thestage company. Not your landlady or the other boarders—no one?”

          “You have my word.But no matter what I decide, I will not commit to anything unless I know what Imight be getting myself into.”

          “Think of it asdoing security work—about the same thing you do for the stagecoach company.Only, this will include an all-expenses paid, three-week steamboat cruise upthe river.”

          “Steamboat?” Hismouth hanging open, Hal dropped his right hand to his side. “Where did Kurtmove that it takes three weeks on a steamboat to get there? And what do youmean by up the river?”

          “I’m getting there. That’s three weeks after you travel by train, stagecoach, or riverboat—your choice—toget to the point of departure. Kurt already sent round-trip tickets forCheyenne to Omaha and back, so I’d choose train, if I were you. Not only that,he sent a third-class ticket for passage on the Far West.”

          “Far West…” His gaze unfocused as hestared across the room, Hal slowly muttered the words. “Isn’t that theriverboat we boarded that took us to Fort Leavenworth to get discharged?”

          “The same.” Ashslowly nodded. “I don’t think it’s contracted to transport men and supplies forthe Army anymore. I think the boat was sold to another company last year, andit has a new captain.”

          “It’s still the Far West. I have no love for thatparticular vessel.”

          “I know, buteveryone says it’s one of the fastest steamboats on the river. Kurt sent adraft, which I will get cashed. You can use the money for food, ammunition,extra supplies, and to get yourself from Omaha up to Sioux City.”

          “And why would webe leaving from Sioux City?” His brow furrowed, Hal again faced Ash. “The onlyplace I know the Far West steams tois along the mountain route of the Missouri River. Ash, you know I hated thetime we were stationed at CantonmentTongue River. And that winter campaign against theNorthern Cheyenne and Sioux just before they finally issued our dischargepapers…? I never was so cold in my life.” Staring straight ahead, he shivered.“When we left two years ago, I swore I’d never go back.” His face scrunchedinto a scowl.

          “I know. Mythoughts exactly.” His eyelids half-closed, Ash sucked in a breath and nodded.“But, that’s where this lady and her daughter are going.”

          “How far up theriver?”

          “Final port ofcall.”

          “Are you joking?Way up there?”  His mouth hanging open,Hal stared at Ash.

          “Way up there. Theywill still have a two-day stagecoach ride from there. You know as well as I do,it would not be safe for two females to travel alone in that country.”

          “Kurt should haveknown better than to invite her to live there.”

          “I don’t think heinvited. I think she told him she’s coming.”

          “Oh.” One of those women. Hal groaned as heleaned his head back and rolled his eyes. Then he straightened and met Ash’sgaze. “Are you serious?”

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

 

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue , is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

Coming in August is my book, Mail Order Barber,  the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently on pre-order. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE