So he had been listening. A twang of regret shimmied through her. She would like for him to know her real name, but that was not possible.
“Mrs. Thornton tells me ye make the best wagons in all Virginia.”
“She exaggerates. I make the best small boats in Virginia.”
Another laugh escaped her at the sheepish grin he bestowed with his boast. “But ye do make wagons.”
“Yes.”
“Then I shall come and get one.”
The mischievous twinkle she’d admired disappeared behind a thin-lipped mask. “Ye were serious about traveling alone?”
“Why else would I be here?”
“I thought perhaps ye changed yer mind when ye heard the details of the trip.” Concern radiated from him, and she felt it was genuine.
“On the contrary. I was reassured that I made the right choice for my future life.”
“Ye really shouldn’t go alone.”
“I am not going alone, Mr. Smith. I am traveling in a group of families all removing themselves to a new frontier.”
“It is not safe for a single woman to travel in the wilderness. Have ye no male family or companion?”
Around them the crowd began to disperse.
Beti’s back stiffened. “It is not for ye to decide my life for me, Mr. Smith.”
A smile softened his lips, but the concern didn’t leave his eyes. “There now, ye’ve ruined my jest. Ye owe me one, Miss Sigridsdatter.”
Confusion blew through her. Was that a flirt? The teasing look in his eyes made her think it might be, but she’d never flirted in the whole of her life. Her cheeks heated before she could cool them with reason.
“Nonsense.” Captain Taylor replied as he came up beside her to retrieve the reins from Mr. Smith. “Miss Sigridsdatter, ye’ve done us a service. We are in ye debt.”
Her spirits lifted at once.
“Now who speaks nonsense, Captain Taylor?” Beti answered. “I shall bid ye all good evening. Mr. Smith, I hope to see ye in the morning.”
Beti basked in a light breeze of hope as she spun on her heel. What an extraordinary evening. Could it be possible the Lord was answering her prayers? Was she to have friends? Real friends? Smiles greeted her as she moved down the street. Excited chatter filled the air. The glow in her heart lit her way back to Miss Polly’s.
Aggie caught up to her just as she reached the steps.
“I must have lost ye in the mob.” Aggie grinned. “Did ye find out all ye need to know?”
“Aye. Tomorrow I shall go to Mr. Smith’s and procure a wagon for the journey.”
Zeke watched Beti’s graceful departure. She nodded to one family with a smile. Her progress was slow down the street filled with excited people and their conversations. Within him grew a yearning and a wanting like he hadn’t experienced since he was an apprentice with a wooden planer struggling to make his pieces worthy for a boat. Her shy smile ignited a forgotten joy in a deep recess of his heart. Not even the frustration he’d caused his friends made him feel as good as the shy curving of those lips.
Zeke leaned on his wagon to watch her graceful retreating form. The pain in his leg punctured through the vision forming of Miss Sigridsdatter. Nope. He’d do better to keep his eyes focused on his mother and sister. He was in no shape to provide for another woman, much less protect one. His family had no choice. They’d get along together despite his lame leg. No woman would choose a lame man when she could have any man she wanted. And a woman like Miss Sigridsdatter definitely had a choice.
“She’s a beauty.” Mose drew up next to him.
“Yes.” Zeke agreed. She’d made it to end of the street now. A pair of well-dressed men stepped into the crowd a wagon’s length from Miss Sigridsdatter. The older man was broad and battle-hardened. Zeke would bet he could wield an ax as well as a fork. The other didn’t look much older than Isaac. While the first was broad the second was narrow and pointy all over like an arrow. They signaled to each other then parted. Threading nimbly through the outskirts of the crowd they followed her down the street. At least it looked like they were following her, he couldn’t be certain because there were a lot of people walking down Main Street. She paused to speak to someone in passing. The men slowed their pace. One of them passed her by a few steps.
“Ye going to court her?”
Is that who they were? Men who wanted to court her? Of course, men would be interested in her.. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Perhaps they already knew her. No. If they already knew her, they would likely not remain so distant.
“I just met her. Ye just met her.” He flashed a look at Mose, but not long enough to lose sight of the strange men he was sure now were following Miss Sigridsdatter.
“How’my gonna know her better if I never spark at all?”
Irritation itched at Mose’s ready smile, but Zeke said. “Suit yeself.” And tried to mean it.
“She was smiling at ye.”
Yes, and he was likely to remember it for the rest of his days. “I was talking to her.”
“Ye think she’d smile at me?”
If Zeke hit him just right he’d stop talking. Maybe not talk for a week. “She’s a nice girl, Mose.”
“I could see that.”
What if she didn’t know them? Zeke handed Mose his reins and walked away. He couldn’t run. His damaged knee kept him from that, but he managed a steady clip until he saw her turn off Main. The first man, the young one who’d outpaced her had reached his companion. Zeke caught up with them just as they attained the intersection.
