The Copper City Read Online Free

measure the length against her legs. She looked as though she didn’t know what to do next.
    â€œWell, go and put it on,” Pete prodded, shaking his head that she could derive so much pleasure from something that had cost so little. He had thought she wouldn’t want to wear white women’s clothes, but then maybe dressing up would be a new and exciting experience for her.
    While she was in the bushes, Quantro finished picketing the horses and came into the circle of the firelight carrying both the saddles. He carefully laid them on their sides to protect the trees, then stood up and looked around. He jerked his head in question.
    â€œShe’s just paying a visit in the bushes.”
    There was a soft whisper of rustling material. Both men swung around. White-Wing stood before them, eyes demurely downcast.
    â€œ Muchas gracias , many thanks.”
    â€œ De nada , señorita , it was nothing,” Pete answered with a slight shrug and a smile. “For me, anyways. He bought them.” He nodded his head at Quantro, who stood silent. Pete watched him, waiting for a comment.
    Quantro’s left hand moved, his eyes on the toes of her moccasins peeking from beneath her dress. He held out a pair of huaraches , open sandals like the Mexican women wore. As she looked up their eyes met for a moment and he felt uncomfortable. Back up in the mountains she had been wild and free, almost a part of nature and he understood how that had been part of the natural attraction she had held for him. Now, dressed in white women’s clothes, that attraction was erased, only to be replaced by another just as subtle that drew him irresistibly. Only during that moment when their eyes met did he realize that the transformation was merely an illusion, and that in fact that same wild freedom was still mirrored in her sparkling dark eyes. She could not lose it, and in that instant he knew it would always draw him to her, a magnetism born of the sheer womanliness of her.
    Her warm fingers touched his as she took the sandals. Coyly, she raised a leg and slipped off her moccasin then replaced it with the huarache . As she leaned forward to take off the other moccasin, the low neck of the peasant dress, held together by a drawstring, dropped away from her body to allow Quantro a view of the cool valley between her breasts. He swallowed dryly, turning away to look toward the fire.
    â€œOkay, you look fine. Let’s eat,” he muttered.
    The food was good and Pete’d had the foresight to fetch back a bottle of rotgut whiskey to round off the meal. After strong black coffee they drank and smoked while White-Wing continually fussed with her unfamiliar skirts, obviously happy. Pete watched the way her eyes kept switching to Quantro, seeking his approval, but the younger man paid her no mind. He merely stared out into the night, occasionally cocking an ear to the horses.
    â€œThat miner’ll have himself a bad head in the morning.”
    Quantro made a face. “I will too if I drink any more of that rattlesnake whiskey.”
    â€œRattlesnake whiskey’s better than no whiskey at all.”
    â€œYeah. Maybe when we’re fixed up at the mine we’ll be able to afford something better.”
    â€œThought you were figuring to save all your money for a ranch?”
    â€œYeah, and you.”
    â€œMe?”
    â€œYes. You’re going to be my partner.”
    Pete experienced a sudden flush of pleasure that he should be included in Quantro’s dream. It did no harm it was only a dream.
    Quantro ground out his cigarette His fingers searched for the thong to unfasten his bedroll. “We’d better get us up to the mine pretty quick after sun-up. If we get taken on, we’ll need all the sleep we can get.”
    â€œSure,” Pete agreed. The two men settled into their blankets, leaving White-Wing sitting by the fire. Soon, Pete’s breathing grew deep and regular. She turned to glance