Page 66 of Wagon Train Redemption
He could only answer with his eyes, and then his breath whooshed in. He forced himself to a sitting position. “I’m fine.” Apart from where something had jabbed his back. “Are you all right?” Dirt dusted her cheek, and he brushed it off.
“You broke my fall. I landed hard on you. Are you sure you aren’t injured?”
The dog pressed to her side.
She wrapped an arm around his neck. “We’re all right, Boss. Thank you for warning us.” She pushed to her feet.
Carson didn’t do the same.
She bent over him. “Are you hurt?”
He had to get up. Had to push away the aftereffects of having her land on top of him, the slam of his heart bruising his ribs as he saw the ground crumble under her feet, how his arms had held her close, wanting to keep her there, keep her safe. It was only a reaction, of course, but his heart had broken from its moorings and still rattled around in his chest. He’d had fleeting pictures of her being dashed against the rocks. Perhaps?—
He couldn’t even finish the sentence. He’d just learned there was more than one way to have one’s heart broken.
With his feet firmly on the ground, he took her hand and helped her down the trail. While waiting for them, the others had hitched the oxen to the wagons and were ready to depart.
Neither of them said anything about the fall as they walked along the trail. In fact, neither of them spoke a word. Was she in shock or hiding the fact she was hurt?
He considered her out of the corner of his eyes. She stared straight ahead. He couldn’t read her expression though her nostrils seemed to flare a little. But she breathed normally and didn’t limp. It appeared she was unharmed.
If only he could say the same for himself. Oh, the bruise on his back was nothing. His sore ribs would be forgotten in afew hours. But he wasn’t sure he could say the same about the fear that clung to his thoughts. He’d almost lost a partner. The mere thought was like a hot poker to his insides.
As she trundleddown the trail following the wagons, Angela tried to sort out her feelings. Her stomach had lurched when the ground fell away beneath her feet. A scream had stuck in her throat while she hurtled through the air. She’d hit Carson with such force she’d knocked him to his back. As she lay on top of him, saved from certain damage, she prayed he hadn’t been hurt.
At the same time, a frightening knowledge flooded her mind. She valued this man. Yes, as a partner as he continually repeated. But foolishly, she wished for more. What would it be like to be loved by him?
Such a thing wasn’t possible, and she well knew it. She could never expect to be loved. She was unworthy, stained. He must never know the truth, or he would cast her away. No. She couldn’t survive that. After a few miles of mental wrangling, she succeeded in pushing the forbidden desires into a far corner of her thoughts. To be partners was all she needed or wanted.
They’d both been quiet since they’d returned to the wagon train. Several times, she’d noticed him glancing her way. Was he worried about her? Or was he hurt more than he said, and she was so busy arguing with herself that she overlooked his needs?
“Thank you for saving me back there. But are you sure you’re all right?” Dust drifted up from behind the wagons and animals. A bird scolded from the nearby bushes. “You’re very quiet.”
“I was thinking the same of you.”
“I’m fine.”
Boss whined at her side.
“He’s worried too,” Carson said.
“He just wants attention.” She rubbed his head and shoulders and pressed her cheek to his fur. “You’re a good dog. We should have paid more attention to your warning.”
Carson petted the dog too, their hands brushing together. She stilled herself not to react when her heart jolted. Nothing had changed between them.
Nothing but a realization of her growing fondness for him.
Fine. Fondness was safe. Acceptable. Anything more was not.
Straightening, she shielded her eyes and looked into the distance. “How much farther do we have to go?”
“Tomorrow we should get a glimpse of the fort, but it will take a good portion of the day to get there.”
They were almost at their destination. And if Carson didn’t change his mind, they would begin their life together. He hadn’t said anything about when they’d get married. But she was anxious to see the land he’d chosen and begin building their temporary house so they could start work on a permanent home and a permanent life together.
“Tell me about Fort Taylor.”
“The fort or the town?”
