Page 12 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
“What exactly are you delivering?” If she wasn’t so fixed on protecting herself, she might have said his pale eyes flashed with amusement.
“Baby clothes.” Even without the way his eyes twinkled, she’d know he was teasing. Or was he?
“You’re married? I thought you said—” But wait. No. She knew he’d claimed he didn’t care for marriage.
He chuckled. “They aren’t for me. Or my wife because I am not married. They’re for a friend.”
“Oh.” That still didn’t answer her question. “Where does this friend live?”
“Her husband has a small ranch north of here. We should arrive before dark if all goes well.”
His words went round and round in her head.If all goes well.And if it didn’t? She stared straight ahead at parched grass, autumn-yellow leaves on the trees they passed, and a blue cloudless sky.
Finally, she brought her question forth. “And if we don’t get there before dark? Is there a place we can stay?”
“Fraid not. We’ll have to camp.”
Her neck muscles twisted so tight she pulled her shoulders up against the tension. She’d guessed the answer even without him saying it. One night alone with him might be overlooked. But two? That was more than she could hope for. Silently, she urged the horses to a faster pace.
Instead, he turned aside and pulled to a stop by a thin stream of water. “What are you doing? I thought you said we had to hurry to get there before dark.”
“It’s midday. Time to give the horses a break.”
“Oh.” It was an excuse she couldn’t argue with even though her muscles were so tense she wondered if she could get to the ground without falling.
Andy jumped down just fine. He glanced back as if it crossed his mind to assist her. She scowled, a silent warning to not come near and he turned his attention to the horses.
Her joints creaked but she managed to climb from the wagon, drawing the axe after her. The grass crunched under her feet as she made her way to the water. One look at the muddy narrow stream and she changed her mind about having a drink.
Andy offered her a canteen.
“Thanks.” The water was tepid with an odd taste. But it was clean, and she drank several gulps before returning it to Andy.
“We’ll rest a bit. And eat.”
A rumbled came from her stomach. “Great. What’s on the menu? Fried chicken? Roasted potatoes? Apple pie?” Her mouth watered.
“Sorry. This is the best I can do.” He handed her two biscuits and a piece of pork.
“Thanks.” Her legs were stiff from sitting all morning with her muscles tensed. A walk would help her relax and she wandered along the edge of the struggling stream. The intensity of the stillness reinforced the knowledge of how far she was from civilization.Lord God Jehovah—as Pa often prayed—You see me. You know my situation. Please protect me and guide me to safety. Thank You that I got away from Mr. Hartman.She shuddered.Please don’t let him find me.She shuddered again and struggled to swallow. As a last thought, she added,Thank You for Andy Shannon rescuing me. She might well have jumped from the frying pan into the fire by climbing into his wagon but so far, he’d proven to be a gentleman.
Peace settled into her heart. Frogs croaked nearby. She held still and looked for the source of the sound. After a moment, she made out the little critter on a rock in the midst of the muddy stream. Remembering a joke Pa told her, she grinned. The grin lingered as she retraced her steps.
“Glad to see you more cheerful,” Andy said.
“I heard a frog. Did you know frogs can jump higher than the tallest building?”
His eyes narrowed as he stared at her, taking his time to consider his answer. Finally, he shook his head. “How can that be?”
She lifted one shoulder. “Because buildings can’t jump.”
He grinned. The grin grew into a chuckle. “You told a joke.”
“Yes. It was one my pa told me.”
“It’s a good one. My pa liked jokes too.”
They returned to the wagon and resumed their journey. “Do you remember any of them?” she asked.
