tammi2

Excerpt from Briana

Briana had made good time, arriving in Fort Stockton late last night. When she got up this morning, she checked on the stage, it was scheduled to be in late this afternoon. After checking on the horses, she went to the mercantile to pick up the supplies Miss Abby and Biscuit needed, and next to the store was a dress shop. She stopped and looked through the window, there were dresses of all colors in the window, what she wouldn't give for a dress like that, she thought. But what would be the use? It would be like trying to make a buggy horse out of a draft horse.

A few hours later, she had nothing to do. She checked at the stage office one more time. Her father had told her not to be late, and she wasn't about to be, but after talking to the ticket clerk, she realized she was still a little early. Not one to waste any time, she walked over to the livery and climbed into the loft. She was going to catch up on some much needed sleep. That was the last thing she remembered.

When the stage pulled into Fort Stockton, the passengers climbed out. Nicholas stood holding Logan's hand, searching for his new boss. When nobody came forward, he walked to the stage office. "My name is Nick McMurtry. Somebody from the Silver Lining Ranch was supposed to meet me here today. Can you tell me if they're here yet?"

The young clerk looked up, studying Nick. "Yeah, Raymond McBride sent his daughter, Briana. She's been hanging around here all morning waiting on you. But I don't know where she's at now," the clerk said, turning away.

"Well, Logan, my boy, I guess we need to look around; surely somebody will know where we can find this Miss McBride." He picked his son up in his strong arms and started down the street. The first place he would start looking would be the livery stable. She would have needed a place to board the animals.

Voices. Briana thought she heard voices, but that couldn't be right. Suddenly she remembered; she was supposed to pick up the new foreman. She bolted upright, trying to get her bearings; she must have slept longer than she thought. That was when she heard the voices again. She had to get down quick-it might be the man her father sent her to pick up.

"My name is Nick McMurtry. I'm looking for a Miss McBride. Do you know where I can find her?" Nick asked the man working at the livery. But before the man could answer, Nick heard the hay rustling in the loft. He looked up just in time to see the shapeliest bottom he had ever seen come squirming over the edge. He couldn't look away he was spellbound.

"Papa, who's that climbin' down the ladder? asked Logan.

"I don't know son," he said, swallowing hard. "But I think we may have found Miss McBride." He definitely needed a drink now.

When Briana's feet touched the floor, she spun around to face the man standing in the middle of the floor. But she was unable to speak. He was gorgeous and the little boy he was holding was just a younger version.

Nick looked down into the upturned face of Briana McBride; drawn to the shape of her sensual mouth. It seemed to be begging for attention, and that's all he could concentrate on. Feeling a tug on his shirt, he turned his head, looking at his son.

"Who is that woman, Pa? She sure is pwetty. But she has on pants just wike we do," Logan said, laughing. He was a special child and could make you laugh at anytime.

"Logan, it's not nice to make mention of another person, and yes she is very pretty." He turned. "You wouldn't happen to be Miss McBride would you? I'm Nick McMurtry, and this little scamp is my son Logan." He waited for her to answer, but she just stood there staring up at him.

McMurtry, that name sounds familiar. She was right; this was the new ranch foreman. She finally found her voice. "I'm Briana McBride. My father sent me to meet you," she said, shaking his hand. "Sorry about not being at the stage office when you arrived." She continued shaking Nick's hand. She couldn’t take her eyes off Logan. He was the most beautiful child she had ever seen, and she loved children.

"It's not a problem. In fact, while I'm here, I'll help you get the wagon hitched up, that way we can get started sooner. How many hands came with you?" he asked looking around.

"None, I'm it." She looked down at the toe of her boot, ashamed to admit that her father had sent her alone.

Nick stared at her; unable to believe any father would send their daughter this far by herself, it was a good two days ride. He quickly recovered. "Well, it won't take us long to get everything rounded up then." He bent over, setting Logan down on the dirt floor. "You stay right here, and don't get into anything," he said pointing at the little boy.

"I want the pwetty lady to hold me," Logan said, grinning at Briana.

"No, you're too heavy for the lady to hold you. Just stand right there, and I'll have these horses hitched up in no time."

She was amazed. The little angel wanted her to hold him and she wanted to hold him to. "If it's all right, I don't mind holding him. She waited for Nick to give his approval. She smiled when Nick nodded his head. "Hi there," she said. "My name is Briana. What's yours?" She picked him up and held him on her hip.

"My name is Wogan," he said. "And I wike you."

Briana was stunned; at first, she didn''t know what to say. "I like you too," she murmured. After that, they were both quiet while Nick hitched up the team.

A little later the group was ready. The wagon rolled through town, with the supplies and Nick's gear loaded in the back. When they passed the Golden Dove Saloon, Nick pulled back on the reins.

"Whoa," he said. He turned to Briana. "I'll be right back. I have an errand to run." He jumped down out of the wagon and disappeared into the saloon.

She must have had a funny expression on her face, because Logan twisted on the seat. "Don't worry, my pa has to get a dwink of water. It won't take him wong."

A drink of water my foot, Briana thought. Nick McMurtry was nothing more than a drunk. Things had surely gone from bad to worse.