“Would that we could jettison Edwards.”
“It wouldn’t be right to dump them here. He too has done nothing illegal, he is objectionable, but some of the families look to him for spiritual guidance.”
Incredulity racked him. “I am heartily sorry we embarked on this adventure. We should have packed our wagons and gone alone.”
“But then ye wouldn’t have found Miss Beti.”
Dawn’s glory shafted through the trees as Alice and Thomas look their leave the following morning.
“I hope we shall meet again soon.” Thomas crushed his poor woolen hat into a crease. The sincerity in his eyes splashed guilt through her midsection.
“I, too, hope to see yer sister and ye again someday.”
The comforting presence of Zeke Smith slipped up behind her. She’d spent the first part of the night starting at every footstep. Finally she’d opened her father’s Bible and got lost in Genesis. As peace calmed the waters of her soul, and she prayed for guidance.
He stood with her just that way until her friends disappeared from view in the early mist.
“They took quite a shine to ye.”
She spun to face him. “Is that an accusation?”
She looked up to see the laugh in his eyes despite the obvious signs he, too, had spent a sleepless night. The open tenderness softening his eyes drew her closer. “Quite the contrary.” He inched closer. A thumb gently brushed across her lips. Before she knew it his lips were on her own. A feeling she’d never felt before threaded through her body. She could no longer ignore the pull she felt toward this man who’d come to her defense so many times. She answered by pressing closer. His arms went around her back as he deepened the kiss.
Of all the questions in her prayers last night, in this one thing she had no question. This man and these arms were where she belonged. He pulled back and rested his lips against her hair.
“I am sorry.”
Alarm spread through her throbbing heart and escaped before she could study its effect. “I hope not.”
He tipped her face up to meet him. “Not for kissing ye.”
Relief relaxed her limbs.
“For not kissing ye sooner.” The teasing returned to his eyes though a smolder lay just beneath. “I have struggled with what to do about ye since the night I lay eyes on ye.”
He brushed a tendril from her eye. “I thought I could not, my leg—” He let the words drop, uncertainty in his eyes.
Seeing the tenderness in his eyes drew her to his arms again. This time she pulled him to her and kissed him with all the fierce gentleness she felt. She would keep him if she could. Never let him go.
“Beti.” He breathed against her neck. “I cannot let ye go. I cannot.”
She held him as though through sheer strength of will she could melt the two of them into one.
“I knew it.” The shrill voice of Claiborne Edwards ripped them apart. “I knew ye were nothing but a filthy—"
Zeke took her hand, but someone beat him to her defense.
“Ye will keep yer vile mouth shut.” The gruff voice of Hagbard sliced through Edward’s outrage. The big man inserted himself between Beti and Edwards. “And ye will say naught of what ye have seen of the tender moment between milady and her intended.”
Edwards blanched, eyes burning with fury. “I will not be quiet about what I have seen with my own eyes. That woman is unfit for proper society.” He pointed as he shouted.
Agmund slipped up behind Edwards. “Ye would be wise to listen to Hagbard.”
Edwards jumped and stumbled away. “I shall speak to the captain.”
“Well, that’s done it.” Zeke kept her hand as he turned to Hagbard. “Thank ye.”
Hagbard nodded to him, focusing his attention on Beti. “How do ye fair?”
“Embarrassed. I had decided I should stay with this wagon train while I planned what to do next. It seemed the wisest choice. Now I am uncertain.”
Zeke tugged on her hand. She glanced up to see a steadfast man, one who was not embarrassed or ashamed to be found kissing her of all people.
“What do ye suppose he wanted?” He grinned as he asked his question.
“To scare me into leaving most likely.”
“And did he?”
She stopped for a moment and looked up into his dear face, for it had become dear long before this morning’s embrace. She glanced at Hagbard the big man so new to her society yet willing to stand up for her and then at the uncomfortable Agmund. And found she was not afraid. Steel weaved itself into her spine and sent fear careening out of the circle.
“No. I am not afraid.”
Zeke gave her hand a squeeze before lifting it to his lips.
“We must talk.” Hagbard waved a hand dismissing Agmund. The man slipped away in earnest. “I wish to speak with ye before Agmund returns.”
