บททั้งหมดของ Ghost Love: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

Early Summer 1899 The settlement of Muddy Creek had long been destroyed, but that didn’t stop Ian from traveling there to inspect his newly acquired property.  It was part of the parcel he’d recently purchased. The Union Pacific purchased it on speculation that the railroad would go through. When a more forgiving and favorable terrain was acquired, this land was considered good for very little and, thus, sold to Ian for a very appealing price.  It may not have looked like it was worth much to the railroad, but to Ian Murry it had the makings of a good and solid sheep domain to add to his already established cattle ranch.The remains of the burned and abandoned settlement were positioned on the far west of his newly acquired thousand acres.  More mountainous and hilly than his five-thousand-acre cattle ranch, it was the reason he intended to raise sheep on it.  For a cattle rancher to pair his stock with sheep was unheard of

Ian was so tired from the grueling schedule he’d kept in making ready for the arrival of the sheep that he stumbled just a bit when he got off his horse in front of the little house he’d decided he’d occupy while in the newly cleaned up, former settlement of Muddy Creek.Roy, his cook’s helper who was sent there a few weeks earlier to cook for the clean-up crew, limped out onto the front porch of the house they’d salvaged for him.  It was slightly larger than the one Ian would occupy, which was good since it was to serve as a mess hall as well as a bunk house for Roy.  By the expanse of space that looked like it once had structures on it between that building and the one that Ian would occupy, he guessed two, possibly three buildings had once stood. Opposite the cook’s mess house was a freshly repaired house that would serve as the bunk for the eight hands. “Over here’s the cook’s hut, boss.  I got a pot of

The old cook had removed Ian’s coat and covered her with a clean sheet. “I don’t feel right washin’ down such personal parts, boss.  I ain’t no doctor.  It don’t seem fittin’ touchin’ her there.”“It’s good of you to respect the lady’s modesty, Roy, but if we don’t get her cleaned up, she’ll surely die.  Those bites look angry.”“Ya’ve got blood on yer coat.  If I don’t tend to it right away, it’ll stick,” the old cook whined.Ian heaved a sigh.  “Okay. You tend to my coat and I’ll clean the girl up as best I can.”“I’ll wash her for ya, boss,” said a young man who Ian had yet to be formally introduced to. By the lecherous look in his eyes, Ian knew he’d have to refuse the help.“You men get back to business.  I’ll tend to things here.  Let me

The smell of fresh coffee permeated the air as he dragged his lean, muscular body out of bed the following morning.  Fresh water was in the bowl and pitcher on the washstand and, if his nose was correct, bread was baking.  He had a pump in the kitchen section of the main room, so the water was easily explained. As for the bread, since he had no oven, he couldn’t imagine how this could be.He quickly washed up and headed out to the main room His face lit up when he saw the old, cast iron bread roaster that hung on the wall being used in the large fireplace.The young woman was putting the fireplace to good use by scrambling eggs in bacon grease in a large cast iron frying pan that had also been pulled from its hook on the wall.“Smells good,” Ian said as he accepted the mug of coffee she offered.  “We have a cook and a mess house for food.  You don’t need to put yourself out like this.”“It feel

 Angel was sitting in front of the fireplace drying her long, blonde mane when Ian entered the house.  His breath caught in his chest when she turned and smiled at him.  She looked so sweet and lovely.  She’d found a piece of rope to use as a belt to keep her pants in place. The oversized clothes made her seem even younger than he guessed her to be.“You’re moving with ease today,” he said as he hung his hat on a hook by the door and then did the same with his gun belt.  “That salve must have done the trick.”“That, plus the care you gave me after you found me.   I took a good look at the wounds while I applied more salve after bathing.  Some are deep.  I have no doubt they would have gotten infected enough to cost me my life if you hadn’t been kind enough to care for me.  Instead, they’re healing so nicely, I doubt I’ll see signs of them in a few days.”