Nellie quieted and took her place in Beti’s lap. It was not a spot Nellie was used to having access to, but Beti couldn’t give up the contact just yet either. Still smiling she glanced up to see a joyous smile on Zeke. She ducked her head back to Nellie. It was not to be, but there was still joy in this life. God always saw to that. She gave Nellie one more lingering hug before regaining her feet.
Beti kicked at the long, heavy mantle as she walked toward her wagon. Hagbard had been right, the robe was warm, if a bit musty. Thankful didn’t begin to describe her feelings about the cloak, but now all she wanted was a bath and her own clothes. Clean clothes that fit. Her own cloak. Her own bed, such as it was, all welcome.
“Welcome back, Miss Beti!” Moses Woodbridge sauntered up to the returning party leading a small group of folks from the wagon train.
Aggie grinned. “Looks like there was a treasure after all.”
“Aye.” Beti answered.
“How are ye?”
“Filthy, but I am not harmed.”
Aggie’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Thank God for that.”
“Aye.” Beti nodded her agreement and kept striding forward. Finally her tidy little wagon came into view. She was glad to see it. It wasn’t a house yet, but it was the promise of a bright future.
“Miss Beti.” Toby glanced around before offering a bow.
“Toby.”
“We were afraid we’d lost ye.”
“Thank ye.” Beti placed a tired hand on Toby’s forearm. “Would ye ask the innkeeper to prepare a hot bath?”
“Aye.”
“And Toby—” the man spun back around to face her. “Thank ye for taking care of Nellie.”
“Ye are most welcome, Miss Beti. Weren’t no trouble at all, she’d the best dog I have ever cared for.” He gave her a grin and headed off to the tavern.
Beti placed her foot to climb into the wagon. “Allow me.” Zeke’s words deep and soft still rattled down to her toes. She turned to see a cluster of folks from the wagon train smiling and poking one another.
“I can manage, Mr. Smith.”
“Right she can, Mr. Smith.” One of them hollered.
Beti smiled at the crowd.
“I meant no harm.”
“I hold no grudge, Mr. Smith. I aim to refresh myself, take a look at my sheep, and cook supper. I thank ye for the rescue. For that I will always be beholden to ye, but ye duty to me is done. Thank ye once again from the bottom of my heart, sir.” She gave him a little bow and turned back to the wagon.
“I will always come for ye, Beti.” He whispered.
Beti refrained from a tortured sigh of exasperation. “I am not yer responsibility, Mr. Smith.”
Nellie came to her side.
“Ye will always be my responsibility, Beti Boatman.”
Her eyes widened in outrage. “Mr. Smith. I have thanked ye from the bottom of my heart for coming after me and saving me from the fiends who kidnapped me. Since ye have made it very plain that ye have no further use of me,” she glanced around at the crowd and lowered her voice to a whisper, “save for kissing me whenever the thought pops into ye head, our relationship is at an end. I can make it no plainer than that.”
Giggles ran through the crowd which had multiplied since she started addressing Zeke.
Zeke removed his tricorn and attempted to lower himself to one knee. After sliding on his right leg Beti offered a hand to pull him upright barely stifling a giggle of her own.
“Do not ye make me laugh, it is not fair.” She pointed a finger at him.
“Beti.” The twinkle in his brown eyes deepened into something more. “I am truly sorry for kissing ye and telling the world that I would never marry ye.”
Beti searched his eyes and found his soul open. “I don’t want anyone else near my lamps.” He ran his thumb down the side of her cheek. “I have never met a woman like ye. I love ye.” Beti’s heart swelled to beat in great thumps.
“Why should she have ye?” Hagbard stepped up behind Beti’s shoulder.
Beti put her hand out to quiet the man. Hagbard took a step back.
“And if ye cannot pull a plow?”
“I can tend sheep.”
“And if I become a queen?”
“Yer already a queen.”
Beti shook her head. A coronet and mantle did not make her a queen.
“Ye are the queen of my heart, and I do not care who knows it.”
