“Pa, you’re supposed to whistle. You can turn around now. I’m clothed.”
Greg figured she’d be the one blushing but it was he who felt heat on his cheeks. “Sorry about that, Mercy.”
“No harm done.” She gave him one of her warm smiles. “How’s the digging going? Are you rich yet?”
“Fine and no. I’m here to see about grading to avoid flooding.”
Mercy began to explain how it was done while Hugo went into the mine with his pickaxe. Greg listened to her in fascination. She sounded more like an engineer than a miner.
“You’re educated.”
“You noticed?”
“You know boys don’t like smart girls, at least that’s what my sister Scarlett says.”
“I don’t care, never did. I’m too smart for that kind of logic.”
Greg laughed. “I do think we can be good friends, Mercy.”
“As long as you don’t try to get too friendly we’ll do quite well together. Now scoot. I have a mine to work.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Greg wanted to smile as he walked back to his tent, but he put on his best expressionless face. Happiness usually equaled a gold strike around here, and he didn’t want to put himself or Mercy in danger.
All he thought of while he shoveled the dirt out of his tent was Mercy. She was so unlike anyone he’d ever met, her presence in mining country so unexpected. But mining for gold was just the adventure he’d been looking for.
“Well, hello good looking.”
Greg startled, grabbed his gun, and spun around. Standing inside his tent was a beautiful blond woman with not nearly enough clothes on. He swallowed hard, not knowing exactly where to look.
“Hello, ma’am.”
She laughed. “Your ma must have taught you some nice manners. My name is Shelly. I just wanted to say hello. I like to greet all the new men.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Greg Settler. Are you in camp with your husband?”
“Aren’t you a young one. Unjaded, I like that. No I work in the saloon tent. I was hoping I’d see you there later. The first one is free.”
His jaw dropped and his face heated. “Excuse me?”
She fluttered her eyelashes at him and gave him a coy smile. “The first drink, silly.”
“Would you like to put my coat on? It doesn’t seem—”
“I put on an extra petticoat for the walk over. I’m fine. I usually don’t make house calls but in your case I could make an exception.” She walked closer with each word until she had her hand on his cheek. “I’d like us to be friends.”
She frowned and looked around his mine. “Maybe you wouldn’t be able to afford me. Have you found any gold yet?”
“Not yet but one can hope.”
Continue Reading
About the Author
Sexy Cowboys and the Women Who Love Them...
Finalist in the 2012 and 2015 RONE Awards.
Top Pick, Five Star Series from the Romance Review.
Kathleen Ball writes contemporary and historical western romance with great emotion and
memorable characters. Her books are award winners and have appeared on best sellers lists including: Amazon's Best Seller's List, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, Desert Breeze Publishing and Secret Cravings Publishing Best Sellers list. She is the recipient of eight Editor's Choice Awards, and The Readers' Choice Award for Ryelee's Cowboy.
Winner of the Lear diamond award Best Historical Novel- Cinders' Bride
There's something about a cowboy
Other Books by Kathleen
Lasso Spring Series
Callie’s Heart
Lone Star Joy
Stetson’s Storm
Dawson Ranch Series
Texas Haven
Ryelee’s Cowboy
Cowboy Season Series
Summer’s Desire
Autumn’s Hope
Spring’s Delight
Mail Order Brides of Texas
Cinder’s Bride
Keegan’s Bride
Shane’s Bride
Tramp’s Bride
Poor Boy’s Christmas
Oregon Trail Dreamin’
We’ve Only Just Begun
A Lifetime to Share
A Love Worth Searching For
So Many Roads to Choose
The Settlers
Greg
Juan
Scarlett
Mail Order Brides of Spring Water
Tattered Hearts
Shattered Trust
Glory’s Groom
Battered Soul
Romance on the Oregon Trail
Luella’s Longing
Dawn’s Destiny
Terra’s Trial
Candle Glow and Mistletoe
The Kabvanagh Brothers
Teagan: Cowboy Strong
Quinn: Cowboy Risk
Brogan: Cowboy Pride
Sullivan: Cowboy Protector
The Greatest Gift
Love So Deep
Luke’s Fate
Whispered Love
Love Before Midnight
I’m Forever Yours
Finn’s Fortune
Glory’s Groom