Chapter Twelve
After sleeping in almost to noon, EJ strolled to the saloon and took a whiskey from Johnny. She sat far from where Jeremy was playing cards, preferring some quiet. Just a few short weeks ago, she’d been on a ranch doing chores. She thought about how happy she was to be near Charlie. Still struggling to find an explanation of why, she tried to just enjoy the situation.
Belle leaned down close to EJ’s ear and whispered, “I received a message from your father. He left by wagon, and he should be here day after tomorrow. He wants to see Jeremy off and take you home. He suspects, correctly, that I’m a bad influence.”
Her joy gone, EJ gulped her drink, a dizzy feeling in her stomach. “What shall I do?”
“Leave with Jeremy as soon as you can. Or you’ll be headed back to Missouri.
