Satin Boots: Six Short Western Romances
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nEnjoy these sweet, clean romances set in the American Old West: n |
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nExcerptn
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n“Var är jag?” she muttered. “Är jag död?”
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nTony set down his plate and gaped at the prettiest green eyes he’d ever seen. Although he did not understand a word she said, he assumed she was confused as well as in pain, and probably thirsty.
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nHe held a cup of water to her lips and said, “Drink.”
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nHe slid his hand behind her head to help her drink. She took a sip, then another. Water dribbled from her lips and trickled over smooth, pale skin. He gently lowered her head back to the pillow. She blinked again.
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n“Vem är du?”
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nGuessing as to her questions, he pointed to himself and said, “Antonio.” He pointed at her and said nothing, but gave her a small smile of encouragement. He pressed his fingertip to his chest and repeated his name, then pointed at her. Awareness flickered in her eyes. He pointed to himself and she said,
n“Antonio.” Tony thought her accent charming. He pointed to her and she said, “Linnea.” He repeated it, savoring the syllables on his tongue and giving them a Latin inflection she thought charming.
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n“Ja.”
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n“Sì.”
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n“Är du spansk?”
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nTony shook his head, not understanding the question. He held up the cup and offered it to her. She nodded and he helped her drink.
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nConsuela returned with her arms filled. She smiled when Tony told her that his guest had awakened and spoken with him. She chuckled with him when he informed her that they hardly understood each other. She agreed to look after the girl, because it just wasn’t seemly for a bachelor to do so. The undertaker had a respectable reputation to maintain.
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nTony returned his attention to business. He sold two of his premade, elegant caskets to the two most prominent families in the area. He took his dinner on a tray at his guest’s bedside and enjoyed a slow exchange of words to communicate before thinking to ask her if she spoke English.
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n“Ja, a little,” she replied.
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nHe smiled. “Oh, good.”
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nHer expression took on the desperation of hope. “My mamma? Pappa?”
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nUnderstanding that question, Tony shook his head.
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n“Dead.”
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nShe closed her eyes and looked away from him. Tears trickled.
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n“I am sorry,” Tony said.n
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