Page 59 of Texas Destiny
“But I know what I need. I need you to touch me.”
Houston surged to his feet, stormed to the spring, and leaned against a rock. “You don’t know anything. If I touch you the way I want, I’ll destroy every dream you came here to find.”
“We could build new dreams together.”
He shook his head, refusing to acknowledge the hope in her voice. “You came here to start a new life. Dallas can give you that.”
She sat up. “You could give me that.”
“It’s not my place. Dallas asked you, damn it. He built you a huge house and changed his brand. He can give you everything that I can’t, everything you deserve … everything I’d want you to have. I can only give you rags, loneliness, and nightmares.”
* * *
Amelia bundled up her damp clothes and stuffed them into a saddlebag. Dawn had been clear and should have filled her with joy, not despair. She had lain within Houston’s arms, but he had somehow distanced himself from her. She wasn’t even certain he’d slept.
He shook out the blanket, laid it over the fire, then quickly flicked it back. Black smoke spiraled into the air. He repeated his actions.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Letting Dallas know we’re here.”
Amelia’s heart slammed against her ribs. “We’re that close?”
He rose from his crouched position, crossed the small expanse of space separating them, and touched his rough palm to her cheek, holding her gaze. “We’re that close.”
“Last night was good-bye?”
“It was supposed to be. I couldn’t think of the right words to use. You deserve prettier words than I can give you.”
Reaching around her, he grabbed the canteens, walked to the spring, and began filling them.
As though she were ensconced in a dream, Amelia walked to the spring and knelt on his left side, her way of showing him that she didn’t care if he was scarred, if he was imperfect. “I love you.”
He continued his task as though she’d said nothing at all. Perhaps it was best. If he had acknowledged her feelings, she might have found it harder to honor the contract she’d signed.
“Houston?” She placed her hand on his arm.
He twisted around, meeting her gaze, his expression somber. She extended his hat toward him. “You’ll want this back.”
He took her offering, but didn’t settle it onto his head. “Yeah, I reckon I will.”
With a feather-light touch, she trailed her fingers around his patch. He went as still as stone. If he wouldn’t accept her declaration of love, she’d give him something easier to accept, another version of the truth.
“When I began this journey, I cared for Dallas,” she said quietly. “I still do. Only I’ve come to care for you more.”
“That’s because you’ve been with me for a while. Once you’ve spent some time with Dallas, your feelings will change back to what they were.”
“And if they don’t?”
“I’ll take you back to Georgia.”
She shook her head vigorously. “I don’t want to go back to Georgia.”
“Then give Dallas a chance.”
“Do you care for me at all?”
He touched his knuckles to her cheek. “More than I have any right to.”
