Pennyroyal Christmas (A Ruthorford Holiday Story Book 1) by Shanon Grey Page A

“She also scanned you when we first went in.”
    Kat tried to think back. “When she blinked?”
    “You got it. She can see your aura. Probably should have asked, but knowing that you’d had the accident, she just wanted to make sure. You’re fine.”
    Kat wasn’t sure how she felt about being “scanned” without her permission, or healed for that matter. Which was stupid, she realized. She hadn’t questioned the EMT’s.
    “It’s a rather strange place,” she mused. “Ruthorford, I mean.”
    “Remember, you’re a part of it now.”
    She took a deep breath. “I haven’t quite figured all that out, either.”
    He put his hand over hers. “Don’t rush it. You’ve got time. Just know that Ruthorford takes care of its own.”
    Although his words caused a slight unease, he offered it with a smile.
    “Let’s talk about Dink,” Kat said.
    “What?”
    “I thought Elements would be run by an Indian…Native American…,” she stumbled over the words.
    He laughed. “I remember so well the first time we met and you stated very plainly that I was an Indian.
    Kat felt the color flood her cheeks.
    “It’s okay. I like being an Indian.” He squeezed her hand and let go. “Back to Dink. Basically, we—the tribe—don’t stay in town.” He shook his head at her raised brows. “No. It’s not what you might be thinking. There is no prejudice here. In fact, when your father…I mean Doug Chance…said the things he did; I’d never heard anything like that. I was so mad. I got a lesson—“
    “I am so sorry,” she interrupted.
    “It wasn’t you. Don’t be sorry for that man. You don’t carry that burden. The man was a plain out bigot.”
    Feeling his anger flare just at the thought of Douglas Chance, Rowe concentrated on his explanation of his people. “Dink runs the store for us. I, or someone else, come in and check on it.” He saw her frown. “It’s not like we can’t. We just don’t. Before Ruthorford was Ruthorford, it was sacred ground to us. It still is. Some settlers came from Scotland and our people saw they were special and allowed them to settle here. Some others, too. Don’t ask me how they decided. Our farms circled the town and we protected them from outside raids. For a time, things were peaceful. We all flourished. Then the government started grabbing the land and forced many tribes west. That became known as the Trail of Tears. But here, the founding families claimed our land and us as kin. Families literally moved in with us. By the time things began to change, many people had intermarried. Those that wished it got their land back. To this day, the town of Ruthorford remains protected—by us and the descendants of the founding families. We have our farms and our ranches that surround the town. Everybody’s happy.”
    He glanced out the window. “Wow. The snow is really starting to come down. We ought to head back. I don’t think Tramp will like having to feed Pharaoh.” He rose, walked around and pulled out her chair.
    Teresa emerged out of nowhere. “You heading to the barn?” she asked.
    “Probably need to. Don’t see it letting up. Do you need anything?” he asked and hugged her.
    “Nope. We’re set. I guess we’ll have guests longer than I expected. Apparently, the low has stalled out near the state line. You guys be safe.” She followed them to the front where the young girl handed them their coats.
    Kat glanced back as they drove down Main Street. She couldn’t have painted a prettier picture.

Chapter Six
     

    Tramp bounded off the porch to play in the fresh snow, racing in circles snooting through the white fluff. Pharaoh whinnied from the barn and Tramp was off like a shot, barking out the joy of the night. Rowe laughed at Tramp’s antics as he watched through the window. He set a fire before heading out to the barn himself.
    Having unbundled, Kat walked over to the window, watching the white flakes drift through the floodlights. She couldn’t see the