Page 31 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
“He’s the oldest of the Shannon brothers.”
“That’s right. You said there were four of you.”
“Yup. Riley is twenty-eight, the twins, twenty-five.”
“And you?”
“I’m the baby at twenty-two.”
“You say that like you’re still a baby.”
He hadn’t meant to indicate how he felt. “I sometimes get tired of being reminded I’m the youngest.”
She studied him. He couldn’t read her expression and waited for her to come to some sort of conclusion. She met his gaze. “It doesn’t seem to have stopped you from becoming a man.”
The buttons threatened to pop from his shirt as his chest expanded with pleasure at her assessment.
She glanced behind them. Her eyes widened and she grabbed his arm in a vice. “Someone’s coming.”
* * *
Della fought for breath,but her lungs had shrunken and continued to draw inward. The sun had grown brighter, bringing tears to her eyes, and forcing her to blink furiously in a vain attempt to clear her vision. The air shimmered with fear. A metallic taste filled her mouth.
Where was the axe? She practically fell off the seat in her hurry to locate it at her feet. Her arms trembled as she pulled it to her lap.
Andy brought the rifle to his knees.
They were armed but the knowledge did little to ease her pounding heart. The axe would be useless unless the rider was close enough for her to swing it and hope to make contact. And Andy wouldn’t shoot unless he was shot at first. By then it would be too late.
“Can we hope to outrun him?” Her trembling voice revealed her fear.
“Not while pulling a wagon.”
The words erased any bit of hope. There was no one to come to their aid out here. No one to notice if they died. That knowledge cratered through her. A wordless prayer rose from her heart. Would God rescue them or allow them to die? She needed something warm and alive to hold on to. She faced an impossible choice. She could either unwind one hand from the axe handle and grab onto Andy or cling to the wood and deprive herself of the comfort of touching him.
The latter won out and she latched her hand on his arm. The muscle beneath her fingers twitched. They both turned to study the approaching rider.
“He doesn’t seem to be in a great hurry.” Andy sounded encouraged by the fact.
Della did not find it reassuring and shifted so she could watch over her shoulder. The dust from the wheels made it impossible to make him out clearly. The wagon lurched over a bump. The axe fell to the floor and Andy grabbed her to prevent her from being tossed out. Her pulse raced through her veins.
As soon as she was safely settled again, he looked back. “I don’t think it’s Mr. Hartman. See for yourself.”
Her heart still pounded like thunder. She retrieved the axe before she turned to consider the rider. She could make out his horse. A gray. Of course, it was easy enough to exchange horses. His facial features were shaded by his hat. As if her thoughts had reached him, he tipped the brim back. His face showed none of the evil Mr. Hartman’s did.
“It’s not him.” The words whispered from her tight throat. “But I’ve learned not all men in the west are honorable.” She faced forward, gripping the axe handle as they slowed to wait for the rider to overtake them.
He pulled up beside them. “Howdy.” He touched the brim of his hat in a salute.
Andy nodded at his greeting.
“Been watching you for some time. Don’t see many other travelers.”
“That’s a fact,” Andy answered.
“Mind if I ride along and keep you company? A body can get lonely out here.”
“Suit yourself.” Andy flicked the reins and continued down the trail.
