Last Chance Cowboys: The Drifter (29 page)

“We're glad to have you guiding us, Mr. Travis,” she told him. “I'm so excited about the trip. It's going to be such fun.”

Colt suppressed an urge to roll his eyes in exasperation.
Fun?
He looked back at her father. “I have to say, it might be better for your daughter if you left her here in Omaha or sent her back to Chicago, Mr. Landers.”

“Oh, no.” Sunny spoke up, taking her father's arm. “Wherever Daddy goes, I go. It's always been that way. I'll be just fine, Mr. Travis.”

Landers patted her hand. “My daughter goes everywhere with me, Mr. Travis. We have plenty of well-armed men and plenty of supplies. Sunny's personal tutor is also with us, Miss Gloria Putnam. She's still in the coach, not feeling too well, I'm afraid, but she's getting used to the travel. Miss Putnam will help Sunny bathe and dress and do her hair, as well as continue her lessons. I keep my daughter well schooled, Mr. Travis. Sunny will be taking over a good share of my business someday, and by the time she does, she'll be as adept at doing accounting and figures as any man.” The man beamed with pride. “Don't you worry about my Sunny. She's looking forward to the adventure. She's got more strength and spunk than you think, and she comes from rugged stock, brave and uncomplaining, loyal to the death.” The man scowled then. “Which is more than I can say for my oldest son.”

“Oh, Daddy, Vince will come around one day.” Sunny tried to soothe him. “He'll see how right you are in this.”

Colt allowed himself to look her over once more.
Rugged
stock
, he questioned silently.
And
she
comes
out
here
with
her
nanny, dressed like she's going to a dance.

“I do hope the Indians farther west have tamed down some,” Stuart Landers put in.

“We shouldn't have too much trouble if we stick to the main trail,” Colt answered. “It would be wise to take along plenty of things to trade, like ribbons and tobacco and such.”

“Right,” Bo Landers agreed. “See to it, Stuart.”

“Yes, sir. We'll have all the supplies we need. I already have a lot of things waiting in storage.”

Colt took a quick inventory of the wagons and coach, deliberately not allowing himself to look at Sunny again. He had been prepared for a whining little child, but Sunny Landers was certainly no child, nor did she seem prone to complaining. More than that, she was beautiful.

He immediately chastised himself for the thought. Someone like Sunny Landers was as dangerous and wrong for him as a rattlesnake. Besides that, once they got going and she showed her feathers, she would probably prove herself to be spoiled to the point of unbearable.

That sweet smile didn't fool him any.

Every novel “takes a village” to come to life. In this case, three people provided me with moral and practical support to see this through. Melody Groves, a real-life Arizonian, kept me honest when it came to ranching details, life in the West in 1882, and the use of Spanish. Editor Mary Altman took what I wrote, added her magic, and made the story better. And my agent and friend, Natasha Kern, just keeps finding ways to make my career dreams come true. Thanks, ladies!

Award-winning author Anna Schmidt resides in Wisconsin. She delights in creating stories where her characters must wrestle with the challenges of their times. Critics have consistently praised Schmidt for her ability to seamlessly integrate actual events with her fictional characters to produce strong tales of hope and love in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Visit her at
www.booksbyanna.com
.

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!

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