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Gaea - Chapter 18

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Gaea

Chapter 18

by Baybelletrist


Elsewhere

10/20/2098, 1419 local time

 

 

The young woman trudged down the dirt road. Heat beat down on her back from the cloudless lemon-yellow sky. She shifted the bag she carried over one shoulder, pushed back her straw hat, and squinted ahead at the crossroads.

The clopping of horses' hooves sounded faintly from the road behind. She stiffened momentarily and then stopped, touching fingertips to the locket hidden under her shirt. Unclipping a canteen from the belt at her hip, she took a sip of water and turned to face the approaching wagon.

The burly driver called out as the wagon drew near. "Whoa, Dodger! Whoa, Brownie!" He pulled on the reins, and the horses slowed and halted. He looked down at her through the settling dust, a wide smile creasing his sun-browned, open face and lighting his brown eyes. "You headed into town, miss? Could I offer you a lift?"

She hesitated, and he laughed suddenly and removed his hat. "You'll be thinking my mother raised me in a barn! How d'ye do? I'm Matthew Burnham. I live about twenty miles outside town with my wife and children. You new in these parts?"

She blinked. "Thank you," she said quietly. "I think... I'd appreciate the ride." She climbed easily onto the wagon seat and settled into place as he cracked the reins.

The wagon creaked into motion, and Matthew Burnham turned to smile down at her.

"You named your horse Dodger?" she asked quickly to forestall any questions.

He chuckled. "My son's idea. Doesn't make much sense till you try coming at the blame horse with a harness, and then it makes plenty!" He glanced at her again. She cast her eyes on her lap and caught a look of understanding from the corner of her eye. The kindliness she sensed caught at her heart.

The trip to town passed quietly. Matthew Burnham made no demands on her, simply pointing out the landmarks they passed and chatting lightly about small matters. As the wagon turned up the town's main street, he asked, "You heading for the hotel, miss?"

"Yes, thank you."

He pulled the horses up in front of one of the several stores on the street and pointed to a building a few doors down. "Max charges fair rates and his place is clean. You need any help, just ask him to get hold of me, you hear?"

She stared at her lap, pushing down the tears that threatened. "Thank you," she whispered, and climbed down quickly, halfheartedly brushing dust off her jeans.

She felt him watching after her. "Miss," he said gently, "I didn't catch your name."

A laugh bubbled up from somewhere. "I didn't throw it," she said wickedly, tossed him a wink, and half-ran down the sidewalk. From behind her she felt puzzlement and amusement in equal measures.

At the door of the Frontier Hotel, she whirled to face him. "Mr. Burnham," she called, "thank you for the lift into town. My name—" She grinned "—my name is Lia Preston!"

A little of Shane's laughter held in her heart, she turned and went inside.




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