Great news! When Doves Fly will be on a Kindle Countdown Deal starting on Turkey Day. So while the bird cooks--the other bird!--or during those long drives over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house, you can read a book reviewers are calling "gritty, complex storytelling" and both "timeless and fresh." Works on planes, trains, automobiles, wagons, and even horses.
Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1Vtd7ZF
Amazon UK
http://amzn.to/1hMaMX6
http://amzn.to/1Lr7B3p
https://www.createspace.com/5754093
To request a signed print copy, use the contact form here:
http://www.authorlaurengregory.com/Contact.html
Excerpt from When Doves Fly by Lauren Gregory
Two horses occupied the pen, and both looked used
up.
The livery operator, even harder used than his
horses, eyed Lily with an arched brow. He wore chaps molded to his legs and a
cowboy hat with holes. Tanned rifts covered his face and shifted in strange
patterns as he talked.
“Where ya headed?”
“Cheyenne
“Where’s yer men folk?”
“I’ll be making this trip alone.”
“Missy, that’s a long ride. Oughtta at least wait
for a party goin’ out.”
Lily set her jaw. “I’ll worry about that. How much
for that one?” She pointed to the less-swaybacked roan.
“That’s Charlie. Let you have him for $50.00. Can
you even heft a saddle on yer own?”
Her lips pursed, and she walked to a rack loaded
with saddles. Struggling, she lifted one over her head. “Satisfied?”
The horseman shrugged. “All right. But ain’t no
way you can make it all the way to Cheyenne
“Will you sell me the horse or not?”
He opened a packet from his vest and stuffed a
plug of tobacco in his cheek. “I reckon.”
“Do you have any mules?”
“For what?” His eyes narrowed.
She tossed him a withering look. “A pack mule, of
course.”
His gaze wandered. “Nope. No mules.”
Lily followed his glance and walked to the corner
of the building. Several mules munched hay at a paddock trough. She rounded on
the man.
“Just what are those? Pigs?”
“Bad enough if I sell you the horse, but that’ll
only getcha in so much trouble. I ain’t sendin’ you out on the trail with two
animals you can’t handle.”
“Then I’ll have to find someone who wants to make
money. Thank you and good day.”
He stuck his leg out, blocking her attempt at a
huffing exit. “Listen, missy. You don’t look as if you been doin’ much trail
ridin’. I’ll allow you might handle
the horse on yer own, mostly ‘cause he’s too old and tired to do much but eat.
But a jack’s a different animal, and tryin’ to lead one while you ride ain’t
easy, even for trail men with some miles under their belts. What do you need to
pack, anyhow?”
Lily pressed her lips together to stop their
trembling. She wanted to tell him to mind his business but lifted her chin.
“Goods.”
“Er … you can buy goods in Cheyenne
“Cheyenne
He looked her up and down. “I can’t do it. Take my
advice: don’t try it.”
She fumed but changed her tack and offered a sweet
smile. “What if I take a hired man? Can I, please, have a mule then?”
“Do I look that brainless?”
“No, truly, I promise. You’re right; I shouldn’t
do it on my own. I’ll hire someone. Do you know where I can find a reliable
hand?”
The horseman considered her and wagged a finger.
“I’ll give ya the address. And I’ll check up on it, too.”
She paid him $95.00 for the horse, mule, and a
saddle. As he saddled the horse, he looked at her skirt.
“You know how to ride a western?”
She didn’t meet his gaze. “Of course.”
When he finished, she led the animals away, with
no intention of hiring anyone.
