Page 24 of Wagon Train Honor
All she knew was it drew her like an invisible rope.
He looked into the sky. Seeking what? He blinked. “We’ve been gone a long time. They’re going to send out a search party if we don’t get back soon.” He caught her hand to guide her over the scattered wood at their feet but released it as soon as they reached the trail.
She almost ran to keep pace. “Please slow down.”
“I’m sorry.” He slackened to accommodate her shorter stride. “Your family will be worried.”
“Robert, don’t fuss. They won’t be worried. Partly because I have been known to be late for a meal, but mostly because they know I am with you.”
He stopped. “Are they always this willing to trust you to a stranger?”
“Robert!” Protest stuck in her throat. A little cough made her able to speak. “You aren’t truly a stranger. You’re a friend of Carson’s, which means you’re a good man. And you’re a Mountie.”
He nodded. Appeared somewhat mollified. “Still.”
She wasn’t about to let him wallow in worry. Nor was she ready to end their outing. “Are you going to show me more flowers this afternoon?” Yes, it was bold on her part but—“How many different orchids did you say have been found here?”
“I don’t expect we’ll be able to locate them all. Not when it’s late August and the summer heat has likely dried up many of the plants.”
“Only one way to find out. Besides, if I can draw the seed pods of plants, I’d like that.”
He searched her eyes and scanned her cheeks and mouth.
She touched the tip of her tongue to her lips at his intensity.
“Very well. If you’re sure?”
“Robert Davis, I could not be more sure.” Only she wasn’t clear what she meant. Seeing flowers? Spending time with him? Enjoying his company? Learning about the Cypress Hills? All of them. All of them, and not one was more important than another. Not one.
“Still, we need to get back and reassure your family all is well.”
“And eat. Seems to me that’s of equal or more importance. After all—” She jabbed him gently in the side. He flinched. Strange. She’d barely touched him. “Wouldn’t want you fading away to a shadow.”
He caught her fingers. “Don’t be causing trouble.”
She blinked rapidly and fluttered her lashes. “How could I do that?” Using her other hand, she again tickled her fingers along his side.
He captured that hand.
She laughed and tried to free herself. “You’re ticklish, aren’t you?”
“Isn’t everyone?” He held her wrists in one palm and waggled the fingers of his other hand as if he meant to test her reaction.
“Not that much.” She widened her eyes and grinned. “Now I have a secret of yours.”
He leaned in, his eyes narrowed. “I’ll tell you what. If you leave off trying to tickle me, I won’t let it slip that you have beautiful pictures in that book you hide so carefully.”
“You already promised not to tell.”
His brows rose. “I’m pretty sure I only promised not to reveal your plans to go to Banff.”
Their gazes locked. She made sure hers was as challenging as his. And then laughter bubbled up from the pit of her stomach and rolled out her mouth. She couldn’t stop even when he shook her hands and frowned. She tried, but every time she opened her mouth to say something, she laughed instead.
He shook his head. A smile started in his eyes, reached his mouth, and unleashed deep-throated laughter.
Oh my! Her own amusement moderated at the light flashing in his eyes and the way his gaze sought hers offering?—
Offering what? Not that it mattered, and she caught his arm to urge him along the trail, both of them grinning widely.
