Page 64 of Waiting for the Rancher
But he held the reins with one hand and settled the other on his thigh. He couldn’t touch her now, because if he did, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop. He’d probably end up bending in and brushing a kiss against that long, delicate stretch of her neck that was so close and practically made for him to kiss.
He swallowed hard and looked away. “Ready?” His voice came out tight, almost curt.
“I think so.” She shivered. Or maybe she was shaking from fear.
He gave himself a mental slap. He was being selfish. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about how much he desired her. He had to be looking out for her and how difficult this ride would be for her.
“Hey.” He spoke as gently as he could. “I’m here. You’re gonna be okay.”
She drew in a breath—or tried to—and then nodded.
As they started down the trail, he kept the gait even and slow for both of their sakes. At the bottom of the winding path, they caught sight of Sterling driving a stray calf from a spot of brush. He paused a moment and homed in on Hazel’s finger, likely looking to see if she was wearing an engagement ring.
His questioning eyes lifted to Maverick’s, as if to ask what had happened.
Maverick shook his head and tried to give Sterling what he hoped was a look of reassurance that everything was okay. Maybe their proposals hadn’t gone the way either one of them had planned, but those plans had been made by young men who hadn’t known the complications of love and relationships.
All that really mattered was that Hazel had forgiven him and was willing to come back to the ranch and work. He couldn’t ask for more than that right now. Instead, over time, he’d win her heart and earn her love. While he didn’t want to take too long, he was also willing to wait forever to be with her.
When Hazel called out that they were riding into town, Sterling’s brows rose in surprise, no doubt because Hazel was on the horse again. Thankfully, Sterling hadn’t stopped them or cautioned Maverick against making the longer trip, likely because he knew how important Hazel’s efforts were.
During the ride, Hazel asked him about all the mares and foals, and he spent the majority of the time updating her and answering her astute questions. The discussion distracted him from his pain to a degree, and so did her nearness. He reckoned the talk about the mares had helped take her mind off her fears too.
But by the time Breckenridge came into view, his body ached from not only his injuries but also holding himself back from her. When he finally reined in the horse and she slid down, he couldn’t contain a soft groan.
She peered up at him, concern etching a line between her brows. “That was too far, wasn’t it?”
“I’m fine, angel.” He arched his aching back and then swung out of the saddle.
The town at midmorning was busy with mostly miners and businessmen milling about. A few teamsters were loading up for the return trip over Boreas Pass to Denver. Other wagons werereadying to leave for the gold and silver mines farther into the mountains.
With the newly discovered silver veins—including Hazel’s father’s—the town was growing too rapidly to keep up. There were canvas tents around the edges of town, but clapboard businesses with their false fronts were in the majority now, taking the place of most log structures that had existed when his family had moved into the area. In addition to the small, white-painted church with its tall steeple, Main Street consisted of hotels, saloons, shops, liveries, and even a seedy dance hall or two.
The hill to the east side of town was being cleared of more trees, and already Ridge Street boasted of a bank, assay office, and newspaper office, and more buildings were being constructed with every passing week.
Hazel hadn’t taken her concerned gaze from him. “I shouldn’t have brought you here.”
“You want me to be honest?” He steadied himself against his horse.
“Yes. Always.”
He leaned in near her ear so that no one passing by would hear his comment. “Having you so close that whole ride and not being able to touch you is what’s caused me the most pain.”
She pulled back, her eyes widening and a flush coloring her cheeks.
He flashed her what he hoped was his most charming smile. He might not have proposed to her today, but that didn’t mean he was holding back on using his wiles to win her.
She ducked her head, but not before he saw the beginning of a smile.
He drew in a breath, letting himself hope that she’d fall for him sooner rather than later. “So, what’s your business in town?”
She peeked at him sideways, her gaze suddenly shy. “I need to speak to someone.”
In the middle of looping the lead line around a hitching post, jealousy sliced through Maverick. “Who?”
She didn’t answer him. Instead, she glanced both ways up and down Main Street and then darted across the road, dodging a mud puddle along with a wagon lumbering past. When she was across, she turned and smiled at him.
At the sight of her standing there, so beautiful with her tender smile beckoning to him and her bronze eyes filled with warmth, his chest swelled with all the love and desire that had been building for years.
