Page 25 of Wagon Train Honor
“What was so funny? I can’t remember.”
“You. I sense you’re a devious man, looking for loopholes in agreements.”
He jerked to a halt and stared down at her, pressing his hand to his chest. “I’m hurt that you would judge me so.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure it’s admirable that you look for every undottedIand uncrossedT. No doubt it’s a very useful skill as a Mountie.”
“Undotted? Uncrossed,” he sputtered.
“You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?” His eyes narrowed as if he was prepared to argue the matter.
“Echoing my words?”
“Echoing—” He broke off, pressed his hand to his forehead, and groaned. “What can I say? You leave me speechless.”
She coughed back a laugh, though she couldn’t stop amusement from warming her eyes. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” She fluttered her eyelashes. “You did mean it that way, didn’t you?”
“Of course I did.” Laughing, he caught her arm and directed her to move onward. “Aren’t you hungry?” The growl of his stomach proved he was.
“I have been known to miss a meal without any undue consequences. But you—” Stopping, she looked him up and down, from top to toe, taking in his height but not lingering on his handsome features. “Given your size, you must eat more than your share at any meal.” Heat flooded her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’m not often so outspoken.” Or bold.
He pursed his lips. “Ruby Woods, are you calling me a glutton?”
“Absolutely not.” She pursed her lips in imitation of him. “And you know it.” She shook her head enough to send strands of hair floating about her face. “I merely commented on your size. You’re as big as Bertie, and he eats as much as his sisters put together.”
“I guess it comes with the territory.”
“Of which there is much.” She waved her hand up and down his length.
“Nice to know you’re admiring me.”
At his morose tone, amusement rushed up her throat. She tried to contain the laughter filling her lungs but failed.
His frown might have made her wonder if she’d offended him, but the skin around his eyes crinkled.
Catching his hand, she pulled him toward the camp. As it came into view, she released her hold and smoothed her expression. Ma and her sisters would notice and comment if she appeared to be enjoying his company overly much. They might even scold her—for certain, they would if they knew how bold she’d been. One of them was likely to warn her she’d just met him and she should be cautious about being too friendly. Gabe might even feel it was his duty to tell Robert—What?
Well, something, and she didn’t care to have any of those things happen.
She made sure to stay to the far side of the trail from him as they joined the others.
Chapter 7
Robert would have to be asleep on his feet not to notice how Ruby had gone from laughing and teasing to sober-faced and from grabbing his hands or his arm to practically tripping on the grass alongside the trail.
As if she didn’t want to be associated with him.
Ignoring the hurt catching at the edges of his thoughts, he tried to think why. Was she embarrassed? Or afraid of being teased?
He stilled the smile racing to his mouth. That was it. She’d been open with him, sharing secrets. He caught his bottom lip between his teeth to hold back his amusement. For some reason, she didn’t want her family to know about her drawing or her plans. And that likely extended to her friendship with him.
It wasn’t hard to think of explanations for her feeling that way. He could imagine them trying to talk her out of her decision and telling her to be practical.
She trusted him with her secrets. Perhaps out of necessity, not choice, but he would honor their agreement. Even more, he would support her decisions, though once they left this place, he would see little of her. Oh sure, as Carson’s friend, he might visit from time to time. Might even share a meal or two.
On second thought, wouldn’t she be gone? Off to Banff to draw pictures for The Society.
