Page 32 of Wagon Train Promises
“Relax and enjoy a warm drink.” He perched beside her.
She bent over the cup and inhaled the steam. It did nothing to soothe her trembling nerves.
He drew his legs up, his heels furrowing the ground.
The liquid in her cup jostled as her arms twitched. Why must she be so aware of every move he made? It was silly. Not like her at all. She sucked in air again, but this time, it caught in her throat. She coughed.
A hot drink would clear it, and she gulped a mouthful. And proceeded to choke.
Cecil patted her on the back. His hand warm, comforting?—
Good grief. Had she hit her head harder than she thought? Left some of her brains on the ground back there?
“I’m fine,” she sputtered and sipped the liquid. Desperate for rescue, she looked around for Hazel. Where was her friend when Louise needed her? There she was. Wandering down the trail with Petey. Why wasn’t she here with Cecil?
Louise leaned forward, intending to set the cup down. But her hand trembled, and she drew back. What was wrong with her? How could she be acting this way? She’d been strong when her mother passed, when her brothers moved on. When she traveled alone to the big city of Toronto and began her training. She stiffened her spine. She wasn’t about to let a little fall make her weak.
Though it wasn’t so much the fall?—
That’s all it was. All it could be.
To prove it to herself, she scooted back and ignored the trembling of her fingers as she sipped the tea.
“That’s better. Relax for a few minutes. You don’t always have to be taking care of people or chores.”
Is that how he saw her?
She jammed the cup on the nearest log stool and almost pushed to her feet. But wouldn’t that prove his point?
“I’m not working when I read.”
“True.” He ducked to look into her face. “And I enjoy the story. Maybe you’ll read some more tonight.”
“Of course.” Hazel was a dozen yards down the trail, squatting at Petey’s side. Had they found a bug to examine? Or a pretty rock? Why couldn’t she get back here and entertain Cecil?
Except—
Louise swallowed hard.
Except she didn’t really want her to.
Cecil had never seenLouise so fidgety. Had she hurt herself more than she admitted? The wood he’d brought earlier would see them through the night, which was a good thing because he didn’t intend to leave the camp anytime soon.
“Do you want more tea?” He nodded toward her empty cup.
She flicked a bit of ash off her skirt. “Thank you, but no.” Her gaze went past him in the direction Hazel and Petey had gone. Then that brown-eyed gaze slid to him, paused, and grew intent. An unsteady breath shuddered through her before her attention shifted back to Hazel.
He waited. Why was she so nervous? Or was she trying to hide the pain? The dark bruises on her face might not be her only injuries.
Wanting to comfort her, he pressed his hand to her arm.
A jolt shook her. She gulped. Her gaze jerked to his, her eyes wide as moons.
He smiled, doing his best to show his concern. To make her feel at ease. “I just want to make certain you’re not hurting too badly.”
“I’m fine. I told you so already.”
Her sharpness annoyed him. “Well, maybeI’mnot.”
