Page 6 of Wagon Train Honor
He raised a palm. “Hear me out before you object. I’m here waiting for the delivery of some horses I am to take back to Fort Taylor.”
She nodded, caution still narrowing her eyes.
“You shouldn’t be wandering around on your own.” He wouldn’t itemize the dangers of wild animals and cruel men. “I’ll keep your secret if you agree to let me show you around.” With a wave of his hand, he indicated the hills, the valley, and everything in between. “And don’t go alone.”
Not a sane thoughtcame to Ruby’s head. Let him guide her around? That meant someone hanging over her as she drew. That was the last thing she wanted. Well, maybe the second last. The last, being her family discovering her drawings or her plans before the right time.
The man must have sensed her hesitation. Of course, he wasn’t stupid, or he wouldn’t have been accepted into the NWMP. But that didn’t mean he was smart, either. Would he follow her around asking annoying questions and making even more annoying comments?
She could take Bertie with her if she wanted to endure that. No wait. That sounded like she objected to Bertie’s company. Which she most certainly did not. He was sweet and often amusing, and she loved her big brother more than words could tell.
“You’re still considering how to answer?”
Well, no, but her thoughts had wandered off as they often did. Following little rabbit trails that branched off into more rabbit trails. Oh, he was still waiting.
“Do I have any choice but to agree?” Though she wasn’t sure what she agreed to. What was to stop her from going wherever and whenever she wanted? Surely, he didn’t plan to follow her around like a faithful dog. The very idea made her smile.
The constable leaned closer. “I’d be interested in knowing what brought that smile to your face.”
“Or maybe not.” She studied the tip of her boot sticking out from under the hem of her skirt.
“Try me.” Patience wasn’t the only thing she heard in his tone. There was also a good-sized dose of determination.
“Very well. I wondered if you meant to follow me around. You know, like Alice, the goat follows Bertie. Or his dog.”
A chuckle rumbled up his throat. “I only intend toaccompanyyou up hill and down dale.”
She didn’t miss the firmness in his voice, even though he smiled. “Humm. Don’t you think you’ll get bored when I’m busy drawing? I tend to forget everything else.”
“So, I noticed.”
Every bit of amusement departed. “How often did you spy on me?”
“More than once. Which is reason enough for me to stick to your side as you wander about.”
“Are you saying you have burrlike qualities?” Unsure if she meant to be amusing or annoying, she waited to see how he’d take it.
For the space of two heartbeats, his expression didn’t change. Then came a dipping at the corner of his eyes and then a twitch at his lips. He burst into such a loud laugh she startled.
“I’ll be a burr. Or a dog. Or a goat if that’s how you want to see it. But I believe we have an agreement. I’ll be with you when you are out adventuring or whatever you call it.”
She sniffed and tipped her nose upward just enough to inform him she was above responding to his jab. “I prefer to call it research.”
“In exchange, I will keep your secret, though?—”
A wave of her hand, she cut him off.
With a nod, he accepted her warning. “Very well. Now what?”
The flowers she’d been drawing dotted the ground around her, but she searched for one that hadn’t been trampled underfoot. Spotting a decent specimen, she eased toward it and put a good distance between herself and the constable. He could amuse himself and stay out of her lighting while she worked. She opened her sketchbook to the page she wanted, tipping it away from him, and withdrew her pencil from the leather strap across the cover.
“I was disturbed before I finished this drawing. I intend to do so now.” First, she studied the petal, then bent over the page.
He lounged back on his elbows.
She allowed herself one glance out of the corner of her eyes. His gaze was not on her. Good. Now she could relax and do her work. She’d have no trouble ignoring him.
Except his long legs angled across her line of vision. Then, movement distracted her as he drew one leg up, folding the grass at his feet into submission.
