Read Hidden Truths for Free Online

and reached for her
hairbrush.
    "Let me," Luke said. Slowly, tenderly, she trailed
the brush through Nora's hair, often pausing to disentangle an unruly strand
with her fingers or massage Nora's scalp.
    The first time Luke had reached for the brush and taken over
the nightly task had surprised Nora. She knew it had surprised Luke too. Luke's
days were spent in the saddle, working with horses or splitting logs to build
fences — tasks that were the epitome of masculinity. She spent so much time
convincing others she was a man that sometimes it became hard to tell what was
a mask and what was real.
    But after a few years, with the bedroom door closed behind
them, Luke allowed herself the feminine pleasure of trailing the brush through
Nora's locks.
    Luke set the brush down and lifted Nora's hair. Warm lips
pressed kisses to the nape of Nora's neck, making her shiver. She gasped as
Luke nipped her earlobe.
    "Turn out the light," Luke whispered. "I
wanna say a proper good-bye."
    Without hesitation, Nora lifted the lamp's glass shade, blew
out the flame, and slid into Luke's arms.
    *  *  *
    Dancer turned his head and whinnied at the horses in the
corral, not pleased to leave the protection of his herd.
    "I know, boy." Luke patted the gelding's neck, and
when she felt him exhale, she tightened the cinch. She wasn't eager to leave
her family either.
    Hank walked over and handed her a canteen. "Here,
boss."
    "Thanks." Luke looped it over her saddle horn.
"We're leaving now. You have your instructions."
    Hank nodded, and Luke wondered if he would accept Amy's
orders as easily. Only one way to find out.
    Soft steps padded over the veranda, and Luke knew without
looking that Nora was watching her. Luke felt the gaze rest on her like a
loving touch. One more tug on the cinch and she stepped away from the gelding.
    The dreaded moment had come.
    Luke turned, her glance touching everything they had
established in seventeen years of hard work: the main house, two large horse
barns, a bunkhouse, Phin's cabin, a blacksmith's shop, and a dozen other
outbuildings.
    All that could continue to prosper and grow — if she made
the right decisions at this critical time.
    In front of the veranda, she stopped and met Nora's gaze.
They stood in silence for long moments. Luke didn't need words to know Nora's
heart ached too. She stepped closer and slipped both arms around Nora, who
stood on the top step of the veranda.
    The brim of Luke's hat bumped Nora's cheek, making them both
smile. With a flourish, Luke took off her hat and set it down on Nora's red
locks.
    Nora tightened the embrace until she tumbled from the
veranda.
    Luke caught her in her arms. The hat fluttered to the
ground, but both ignored it. "I'll miss you." Steps on the veranda
told Luke they had an audience, but she didn't lower her voice or end the
embrace. They had never hidden their love from their daughters. She pressed her
lips against Nora's and got lost in her warmth as if it were the last time —
and they both knew it could very well be.
    Just a few days before, in revenge for the death of a white
settler, an expedition of soldiers had attacked an Indian camp on the Malheur
River and killed more than thirty Paiutes, including women and children. Who
knew whether the road to Boise was safe or teeming with angry warriors?
    Luke had thought long and hard before agreeing to deliver a
dozen horses to the cavalry at Fort Boise. She preferred staying out of
conflicts, but if she wanted to secure a future for the ranch, she had no
choice.
    One last kiss and they moved apart at the same time, keeping
their fingers entwined.
    When Luke looked up, Nattie stood there with her forgotten
hat in her hands.
    "Thanks, sweetie." Luke reached out to take the
hat.
    Nattie jumped forward and threw her arms around Luke,
crushing the hat between them.
    "Hey." Luke kissed the top of her daughter's black
hair and noticed that she didn't have to bend to do it anymore. At sixteen, Nattie
was already