Quicksilver Passion by Georgina Gentry - Colorado 01 - Quicksilver Passion Page B

man to rescue her from the Velvet Kitten.
    Where is this claim you want?”
    Oh, I don’t know of any in particular.” Silver tried to sound casual.I heard there might be some good diggings up in Mosquito Gulch. Thought I might ride out and take a look.”
    Al shrugged.It’s the most loco idea I ever heard, Silver, but if you insist, I’ll hire a rig and we’ll drive up there and—”
    The trail’s too rough for a buggy,” she interrupted.I thought I might just hire a horse and ride out there—”
    Alone?” The ugly little man looked thunderstruck.Do you mean alone?”
    Al was right. She must be loco. If she thought about it very long, she’d realize just how crazy the notion was.Oh, quit acting like the Mother Superior at a nunnery, Al. No one would bother me. All the boys in the area know me.”
    He only stared at her a long moment.This ain’t like you, Silver. In fact, you ain’t been the same in the last couple of days. Take my advice—if you want to invest in mining, do it the way Tabor’s doing.”
    No, I think I’ll ride out there, have a look around—”
    Then I’ll go with you.”
    You don’t know how to ride.” She stood up.Remember I was raised on a farm. I’ll be okay.”
    He sighed heavily.Is there nothing I can say to stop you, Silver?”
    You know me better than that.”
    You’re liable to get raped! Think about some filthy animal crawling all over you!”
    The thought brought back her past with a shudder.I can take care of myself. Tell you what, I’ll borrow some of your clothes and put my hair up under a hat.”
    Al stood up, too.You think with that body you’d fool anyone?”
    She was determined to go. Silver stuck her chin out stubbornly.So I’ll wear that oversized jacket of yours.”
    She saw the anger and frustration in his homely face.I don’t know what’s gotten into you, Silver. If you’re determined to do this, at least take my shotgun.”
    She started to point out the fact that she was a poor shot, then realized it would start the fuss all over again.Okay, if it’ll make you feel any better, I’ll carry the shotgun. Now see if you can find me some clothes to wear.
     
     
    Later out in front of the livery stable as she swung up on the bay gelding, she began to doubt her own sanity, too. But maybe it wasn’t such a loco idea. Men did it all the time—found a sparkle of gold in an outcrop of rock, filed a claim. If it was promising, she wouldn’t even have to work it; she could sell it at a profit.
    Al looked up at her, then off at the horizon.Is there nothing I can do to talk you out of this? You see those clouds building over the mountains?” He pointed.Looks to me like we might get a late snow.”
    Oh, you’re as worrisome as an old woman. It’s early. I’ll be back in time for tonight’s show.”
    He handed her his shotgun with evident reluctance.Somebody might take you for a claim jumper and shoot you.”
    Drat it, stop mothering me. I’m just going to ride around a little, I won’t be gone but a few hours.”
    Al reached for his bottle of tonic and took a gulp.I still think I should go with you.”
    Too bad you never learned to ride.” She smiled.You just finish tallying up last night’s receipts. I’ll be back before dark, and it’s barely after breakfast.”
    If you aren’t back, I’ll have the biggest posse in the world out scouring those hills for you.”
    You do that.” She balanced the shotgun across her saddle, touched the brim of her hat with two fingers, and rode out.
     
     
    Cherokee looked at the late afternoon sky and straightened up. His back ached from digging. With warm weather, they’d get more done. The claim was beginning to look a little more promising.By damn, Willie, where’s Bill? I didn’t realize he’d quit early.”
    Willie scratched his long beard with his crippled left hand.Up at the cabin starting dinner, I hope. Or he might be on lookout. He’s worried some claim jumper might come along, find our stash.”
    Cherokee