Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
She barely heard his words, though, as her eyes were clamped shut, the blood ringing in her ears. She hated spiders. Always had, always would. She was terrified of their creepy-crawly legs, pincers, and mouths, and never could even summon neutral appreciation for the tamest. She hated all manner of spider. She swayed, her legs wobbling beneath her, still feeling the shock of terror and fear shoot tremors through her body. She was vaguely aware of Cole coming closer, as she swallowed hard to avoid crying. Crying over the spider would be embarrassing, though her throat was tight and her nose stung. To her surprise, she felt Cole’s arms wrap around her.
“You all right, sweetheart?” he asked in her ear. She merely shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. He pulled her to his chest, and though she wanted to protest, she did not. He was strong, and despite being on the trail, he smelled nice, the sweet, pungent scent of tobacco mingling with leather. She’d never been held like this, in the arms of a strong man, and it was not unpleasant. He gently placed a kiss atop her head.
“You’re gonna be okay there, pretty girl. The spider’s gone and I’m here.”
Oh, how she wished she could trust his words. It pained her to have to put her guard back up. Despite how lovely it felt in his arms, she pushed herself away.
“I’m fine, thank you,” she said. Cole released her, but held her at arm’s length, his dark eyes penetrating hers.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked low. Others in their party had glanced at her, but now moved on, as everyone was busy preparing to move on.
She nodded. Time to play submissive again. “Yes, sir,” she whispered. If she could only get him to think she was obedient, when they reached the next town, opportunity might arise. “I’m fine.”
He nodded, appeased, and kissed her forehead gently, his whiskers tickling. To her dismay, her heart fluttered again. “Good girl,” he murmured. “Now go on and get dressed. I don’t want anyone’s eyes seein’ you dressed like this but mine.”
She wondered why he cared now how she was dressed, when she’d been hauled out of her house in front of all of them in nothing but a chemise?
He spun her around and gave her a teasing swat, sending her on her way. Her cheeks burned in embarrassment, not just from the realization that she was only dressed in her chemise, but because her body had betrayed her, the force of the gentle swat making heat pulse between her legs. Angry tears filled her eyes. She had to hate him. She simply had to.
Chapter Eight
Pain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other. ― Laurence Sterne
They rode a full day, stopping only for a brief meal Cole allowed. He watched Aida reluctantly choke down hardtack with coffee. She was learning. Patricia fed her baby, and explained that an Indian woman she’d befriended taught her how to tie her baby to her back. It was a useful tool, as the baby dozed easily while they rode hard. Patricia sat behind Preach, holding tightly to his large body, and when they stopped, Preach saw to her needs. He hoped Preach wasn’t growing soft on her. Any attachment to a woman on the trail was dangerous.
Aida rode behind him, at the head of the pack, holding onto him. It seemed she held on less reluctantly than when they first began, and he hoped it would stay that way. Time would tell.
The clomping of horse’s hooves came beside him, until Justice rode next to him. “You reckon we’ll make it to Lawson’s in time?” he asked.
Cole clenched his jaw and nodded. They were not to speak of their plans in front of Aida. “You know it,” he growled. They’d ride hard all night if they had to but his plans would not fail. “Everything’s workin’ just as it should, except for yesterday, but we ain’t slowed down none. Now no more talk of it.”
Justice gave a barely perceptible nod, gently lifting the reins on his horse so that she slowed and fell in line behind Cole.
“We’re going to Litchfield?” Aida asked behind him.
Cole swore. Curse his brother and his claptrap. Women didn’t have the faintest sense of direction and she likely wouldn’t have even known where they were otherwise.
“That’s the plan, darlin’,” he said, with forced gentleness. “You feelin’ all right back there?”
“Mmm,” she answered. “Need to use the facilities soon,” she said. “When we get to Litchfield?”
He swore under his breath. “Don’t say the name of the town aloud again, Aida,” he ordered. “Best we keep that secret. And we’re due for a stop, so we’ll pull over at the clearin’ and water the horses. You can visit the privy then.”
She muttered under her breath, and he gave her a sidelong glance. She quieted.