She paused. “What do ye know?”
“Ye mother and I buried a treasure when last I was here.”
“And this is the treasure people have been seeking all my life?”
“I cannot say, though I doubt it. We were very careful.”
“Meet ye back at the wagons?” Moses asked Zeke.
“Aye.”
Beti searched the ground feeling like she was missing something.“Where is Nellie?”
“Chained and beaten.”
“Oh, no.” Beti swayed. She placed on hand on Zeke to steady herself. “Is she gone?”
He dislodged her hand as he drew her into his embrace. “No. Toby says she will make it.” His deep tones resonated into her spirit.
She glanced up to search his eyes. “Ye will not lie to me.”
“Not ever.”
She allowed her head to rest on his chest. His heart beat a steady, comforting rhythm beneath her ear. She sent a prayer for Nellie’s recovery. How could she travel on to Kentucky without her faithful companion?
Rustling of men readying for departure brought her back to the present. She stepped back from Zeke’s arms. She hadn’t been thinking. She’d stepped into his arms with nary a thought to what she was doing.
“I am not even going to Kentucky,” she murmured trying to focus her thoughts.
“What?” Zeke’s voice deep and soft.
“Did I say that out loud?” Puzzlement met her gaze. “I guess I did.” She straightened and looked him in the eye. “My plans have changed, Mr. Smith. I am sure ye will be pleased to hear that I will no longer be traveling with ye to Kentucky. I plan to go to my mother’s—my kingdom.”
“When ye are ready, My Lady.” Hagbard bowed.
“Ye may leave my wagon at the tavern. I shall collect it and my sheep in no more than a few —”
Seventeen
“We are but a couple of hours journey from the old homesite. We shall return to the tavern by tomorrow evening,” Hagbard addressed Zeke directly.
Anger flamed in Zeke’s chest. “I shall travel with ye to this treasure.”
“That shall not be necessary, Mr. Smith,” Beti answered with certainty. He deserved it. Of course he did, but the softness of the gentle hand on his arm as she steadied herself from the blow of hearing about out her dog. That she would be concerned about a dog when she’d just escaped death herself. The feel of her in his arms. Nope, he wasn’t letting her out of his sight again. Who knew what perils she would walk into next?
“Oh, it is necessary, Miss Boatman.”
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. “I am no longer yer concern.”
He leaned in and gave her a grin. “Ye will always be my concern.”
“Extra hands will not go amiss, My Lady,” Hagbard said.
“As ye say, Hagbard,” she conceded with a huff at Zeke.
Zeke nearly laughed out loud at the somber turn of her chin as she gave a regal nod to Hagbard. The emissary mounted his own steed, and that left Beti. Zeke couldn’t help the grin splitting his face when they stood side by side on the ground.
“With ye permission.” Zeke gestured to Copper.
She didn’t like it. Her reluctance was evident in every move she made to put her foot in the stirrup. He swung himself up behind her thankful for the strength in his leg.
Two hours of Beti trying to keep her distance while sitting in his lap wore his good humor raw. She said nothing, just sat ramrod straight working not to bounce into him as they crossed the varied terrain.
“I owe ye an apology.” He kept his voice low, not wishing to include Hagbard in their discussion.
“Ye owe me nothing.” She kept her eyes forward, back rigid.
“Before we left my mother took it upon herself to tell me the truth.” He kept back the chuckle that was sure to be misread. “I am lame.”
Her posture loosed as she inclined her ear toward him. A stray tendril dusted the curve of her neck. Zeke reined his thoughts back from wondering how she would react if he placed a kiss just there.
He cleared his throat.
“My sister will join me in Kentucky once I have built my house. Ye see, my family have to go where I go.”
Beti returned her gaze to the front where Hagbard led them over the soft ground.
