Julie R. Neidlinger: Lone Prairie Blog

Blogathon 2006: Chapter 5.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

Dove was known for keeping his word, but he never promised Lily that passing through meant not staying a few days. Passing through could mean something different to each man and Dove had been riding hard, down the long hills and through deserts with hills that were like stairs of sand, ground that tired his horse. They both needed a rest.

He'd seen a barn on the way into town and the barkeep had said that Zane's Livery was as good a place as you'd find anywhere. Dove had little trouble finding it again, what with Crossfire Trail being little more than a postage stamp or dust lined with buildings.

Zane was an odd one, graying around the temples with a thick moustache that belied the bald head he sported under his faded hat.

Dove nodded to the small horses out in the corral. "Never seen horses like that," he commented as he began undoing the cinch of his saddle. "Look like you could knock them over with a cough. What breed are they?"

"Luke's the man to ask about that," Zane said, nodding toward the back of the barn where a short man emerged, struggling to carry a sack of feed that looked like it was winning the fight. Barely up to Dove's armpits, Luke looked as if he'd need to hire out for help just to saddle any nag higher than 10 hands.

"Name's Luke," he gasped, setting the bag down.

Dove said nothing.

"Short, I know," Luke went on, "but a good worker. Had a question about my horses?"

He was direct and Dove liked that. "Not anymore," he said.

< Start . Next >

Labels: blogathon