Feeling cranky, she struggled to find normality or a sense of right in the new locale she found herself in. She grabbed the stolen saddlebag and began to examine the contents, taking inventory of what she had absconded with by mistake. If she was caught for horse theft, she might as well know what she’d taken and would hang for. Looking inside, she saw that there was a knife and flint block, a few coins, a comb and a few cigarillos. Nothing of significance to anyone but probably the owner. Worthless, she thought. Nothing that would give her a chance to provide for herself. She would be dependent on the kindness of others once again. And frankly, that idea didn’t sit well. Taking the comb, she began to try to detangle her long hair. She pretended to be back in her cot at the orphanage as she stared at her bare feet absently.
Anthony returned and looked at her, then looked away. She noticed that he didn’t comment on the fact that she was trying to comb her hair. He focused on simply preparing the food for them. This time, when it was ready, she noticed that he didn’t announce his intentions. Instead, he simply fixed the plate and walked over silently. His dark eyes watched her carefully. As if with every moment, he waited for the slightest sign of fear from her. She knew he watched her and why. Instead of being afraid, she boldly held herself in place, hiding any hesitation she felt. He knelt down next to her with an open smile that lit his dark eyes.
“Look at you, diosa. See? We’ll be friends in no time,” he said amicably. “I have something for you.” Maggie instantly became wary at how close he was, her hand moved of its own accord towards the small pistol on the ground near her. Anthony smiled widely, as if not noticing the movement, and held up a pear.
“For your dessert.” He handed it to her and then stood up. Moving to fix his own plate, he saluted her with his own piece of fruit. She found herself staring at the treat, dreaming of the sweetness. Fruit had been a rare commodity back home, since it was so expensive and there were so many to feed. She’d never tasted a pear and found herself licking her lips eagerly. Holding the pear in her hands, she found herself expecting for him to take it from her at any moment. That had been the pattern lately: something good, followed by something bad. She’d been aided by him, tended to – she fully expected to have something bad happen. He smiled at her and took a large bite. She stared as the juice caused his lips to glisten with sugary liquid as he smiled easily.
“Eat up.”
Maggie gingerly held the pear close to her mouth, sniffing for a moment. Taking a bite, she closed her eyes in happiness as the tart sweetness curled on her tongue. It was better than anything she’d had and nearly as good as the chocolate cake from the bordello.
Her eyes shot open warily as it dawned on her that this might be the same pattern that Solange had followed. Gain her trust, take care of her, feed her and then lay out any expectations. She’d leave in a heartbeat if this man thought he’d make headway with her like that. They ate in silence, neither saying a word. After they ate, she watched him begin to head over towards the stream to clean their plates.
“I can get it,” Maggie found herself suddenly offering and noticed the look of surprise on his face.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. You clean the skin and put out the fire. I’ll get the plates.” She wanted to stretch her legs and take a look at her side again. She felt like she couldn’t do that with him nearby. Already feeling stronger from the food and water she had been drinking, she didn’t want to be perceived as helpless or easily overcome.
“If it’s too much or you get tired, sit down and just holler for me.”
“I will be fine.”
“I’m sure,” he said with a genuine smile. “I figured I’d mention it regardless.”
Nodding, she took the plates and headed towards the stream. She would never admit how lightheaded she felt when she finally got down to the water’s edge. Instead, she dropped down to her knees and sat there for several minutes before washing the plates. Staring, she saw there were several shallow spots as well as a few deep wells in the stream. It didn’t look to be much, but the current was quick and forceful. The cool water was comforting as she examined her sunburned hands. They were beginning to crinkle and peel, soon to be revealing fresh new skin. Freckled skin.
“Everything okay, Miss Maggie?”
“It’s fine. Just taking my time.”
“Sounds good,” he called out. She sat there, looking at the stream and the sun on the horizon. It had been a long day. Hearing a pop from behind her, Maggie started to jump to her feet warily. Only her legs wouldn’t hold her in her weakened state and the stitches in her side pulled horribly. Feeling a strong hand grab her and steady her, she abruptly moved away.
“Get back!” she barked, yanking her arm from his hand.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, surprised, and held up both his hands as a sign that there was nothing to fear. “I was going to just sit down next to you by the stream and wash my hands off.”
“Go ahead. I’m done here.”
“You don’t have to leave if you want to sit and relax.”
“I don’t like to be touched.”
“Good to know. No touching allowed. Just let you fall? Yes, ma’am. Got it.” Maggie glanced up at Anthony’s wry grin, as she realized he was actually teasing her. She also noticed that he was extremely handsome the closer she was to him. There was a light dusting of dark stubble on his chin and upper lip where it curled when he smiled. His dark eyes were framed with the longest lashes. His nose looked almost too large for his face, but it fit his features perfectly. She flushed and looked away as she immediately thought of him nuzzling a woman in an embrace.
“Oh ho! She blushes?”
“Stop it, you cad!”
“Absolutely. But I’m an honest cad, at that,” he agreed with a smile and sat down on the grassy bank. Yanking off his boots, she saw that he had a small hole in one sock. He was simply a normal guy, being nice to a young lady in need. Why couldn’t she get past that? Why did she keep comparing him to James or the lechers that visited the brothel? Maybe all men weren’t like those horrible men.
“Want to sit down, now that we have some ground rules?” he invited, yanking off his socks and putting his feet in the water. Sighing, he lay back in the grass and locked his hands behind his head. “Water feels really good and it was damn hot today.”
Tentatively, Maggie sat back down and put her bare feet in the water as well. She jerked back at the cold temperature and then edged them back in, ever so slightly. “Don’t you think it’s cold?”
“Well sure it is, but it’s a nice change. Don’t you think?”
“Yes.”
“So, if we are laying down ground rules. What else is there that I should know if we are to travel together? I’d prefer not to get shot by overstepping my boundaries by mistake.”
“Well, you don’t have to put it like that.”
“No touching. Yes ma’am. I will let you fall as you wish. I’m not quite sure on that one, but if it’s what you want, I’ve got that one committed to memory. But I have one of my own rules, too, that you’ll have to abide by.”
“Oh?”
“No tickling. I’m terribly ticklish and hate it.”
“I can assure you that I will not touch you or tickle you in any fashion.”
“Oh, I’m sure of it. But I thought I’d mention it anyways. Any others I need to know about?”
“No k-k-issing,” she stammered out, mortified to say it aloud. It had slipped into her mind as she found herself admiring his smile. His lips were incredibly inviting and she found herself watching them against her will.
“Kissing is part of touching. No touching or kissing, Miss Maggie. I’ve got it. Another rule for my peace of mind? Let’s see. Oh, I know! I like to talk, so talking is a rule of mine. I must need the company or something because I like to talk a lot.”
“I noticed,” she admitted with a slight giggle. “You have talked a lot. Much more than anyone I’ve been around lately.”
“Well, someone had to!” he teased, peeking out of one eye. “You sure didn’t talk much, and I was getting lonely traveling by myself. I’m glad we met, but I wish you hadn’t tossed yourself in a cactus patch or gotten shot first. You might have been a bit more talkative then. How did you end up in the cactus and shot?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Nope, that was a rule – remember?” he chided gently. “We talk. We don’t touch, or kiss and we certainly don’t tickle. Surely you aren’t breaking a rule already, you rebel.”
“No, I’m not but I really don’t think –” Maggie took several deep breaths and swallowed hard at his raised eyebrow as he stared at her. “It’s hard to talk about.”
“No judgement here. I can go first if you want.”
“You do like to talk, don’t you?” she said thickly, holding back tears. She was embarrassed and mortified. “Maybe we should scratch off one of your rules and one of mine.”
“Oh? Which one do you want to remove of yours? Touching or kissing?”
“Neither. Never mind. Talking will stay as one of the rules.”
“Proceed then,” Anthony ordered, looking at her smugly. She glared at him and realized he was still teasing her.
“Promise you won’t turn me in?” she whispered nervously, watching his expression. He lay back in the grass by the creek and folded his hands behind his head. His eyes were closed. One dark eyebrow shot up, but that was the only telltale sign that he had heard her soft words.
“No judgement, I swear it.”
“I stole a horse,” she breathed, feeling her heart racing.
“I’m sure there was a good reason.”
“I was escaping a brothel,” she said as she nodded emphatically and stopped when his eyes shot open in surprise. “Oh, bloody hell! That didn’t sound good and decent at all.”
“Well, it’s different. That’s for sure. Continue, please.”
“I stowed away on a ship and ended up in New Orleans. I was hungry and tired. No money and didn’t know where to go. This nice woman took me in and fed me. She gave me a room for the night and a clean chemise, the one I was wearing. And when I realized what she wanted me to do, I… I… I simply couldn’t!” she admitted, completely scandalized. “I can’t do that!”
“So, you ran?”
“Oh, my word, yes! I ran and stole a horse right off the street. I was desperate! So much so that I didn’t realize I had been shot until much later.”
“When you dove into the cactus?”
“I didn’t dive in.”
“You fell?”
“Yes. I fell off the horse. I must have been feverish and passed out.”
“I’d say that was pretty accurate. So, how’d you end up as a stowaway?”
“Maybe that is a talk for a later date,” she suggested quickly, heartily embarrassed as she thought of her foolish romance with James.
“Fair enough. Well, I don’t have anything as elaborate as your adventure, but I am on my way to the outskirts of Goliad. I work as a doctor,” he grinned. “You were a lucky girl! Now, as I was saying, I’m a doctor and on my way from Camp Sabine to Fort Defiance. I grew up in Texas and, hopefully, will end up back home sooner rather than later.”
“Where is home?” she cut in abruptly, fascinated. Texas! She’d never imagined in a thousand years that she would find herself in the Mexican Territory!
“San Antonio de Bexar. Where’s your home?”
Maggie shook her head negatively and looked away. She felt kind of adrift, like she was searching for a place she fit in and hadn’t found it yet. Anthony sat up next to her and handed a dandelion to her.
“No touching, remember?” he said softly with a smile. “Maybe if you don’t have one, then you haven’t found the right one yet – and that is okay to keep searching for what it is you do want. Just because you are running away from New Orleans or away from wherever, doesn’t mean you are without a place to land, it just means you have opportunity ahead of you. Right?”
She nodded and stared at him curiously. He seemed so wise and it was as if he understood exactly what she felt. “That’s right. I’m searching.”
“Good enough,” he said with a grin and pulled his feet from the water. “I think I’m starting to prune up and cramp a bit. That water was damn cold, Maggie. You were right.” He picked up his boots and socks, staring at her bare feet that were now standing in the grass. “No shoes when you left?”
“No.”
“Then our first stop as we traverse the plains, we’ll need to get you a few things.”
Five
Maggie was beginning to feel a bit more comfortable around Anthony. He had such an easy smile and seemed to be so accepting of how she felt, and how she acted. They spent the next day resting after they had set a few lines out to catch fish. He insisted that they both try to sleep in the shade and would begin their travels this evening.
Apparently, his horses were loaded down with quite a bit of supplies for the fort that would be very desirable to any bandits or thieves. While this made her skin crawl at the idea of someone coming upon them, she kept her little gun close at hand. After they ate, he began to load the horses up with the bags and tethered the three together with a long cord. He gave her a pair of socks and insisted that she wear them to protect her feet from sunburn.
“We’ll get some boots for you at the first town we find. Boots, a hat and some gloves.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know I don’t. But I also want you taken care of. Friends do that for each other where you are from, right?”
“Exactly.” Maggie pulled herself onto her horse by herself. There was no way he was going to touch her or help her up. She’d do it by herself or not at all. Glancing at him, she saw his proud smile and nod of approval. Anthony handed her his own hat and his gloves. Staring, she glanced up at him where he sat upon his own horse.
“What? I’d give you my boots, too, but I bet they’d fall right off and then we’d both be barefoot.” he teased, pointing at her small feet.
“What about you?”
“I’m used to the sun. Your fair skin,” he stopped, swallowing hard. She saw a flare of something in his dark eyes that was quickly pushed down. “Your skin is a lot more sensitive than mine. I don’t want you to burn anymore. Wear the hat, Maggie. Please.”
“But it’s getting dark soon. Are you sure?”
“Of course. It won’t be dark for another two or three hours.” She slapped the leather hat on her head. How did they wear these things, she thought, surprised by the warmth of the leather on her head? The hat was warm, yet the wide brim provided some welcome shade to her face and neck.
“Ready?” At her nod, Anthony led the horses out towards the horizon where the sun sat deeply in the sky. They rode for hours on end and she found herself sagging in the saddle, exhausted. Her legs ached from riding astride yet again, but she was terrified to fall off and discover more cactus. She found herself leaning down and holding the neck of the horse yet again, trying to rest.
“Maggie? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, just tired.”
“I know, diosa. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover. Will you be able to do it?”
“I’m trying.”
“If you’re willing to break a rule, you could ride with me and sleep for a while.”
“No, thank you.”
“Fair enough, the offer is there.”
“I appreciate it.”
They continued on for several more hours, not stopping once. She was amazed at how beautiful the landscape was at night when the moon was high. They had crossed a river and she was surprised at how silently they made it across. She expected massive amounts of splashing, but it was obvious that Anthony, as well as the horses, had done this before. They glided in as a trio and only made a noise as they got to the other side, getting their footing on the grassy bank.
She marveled at how the night sky would light up if there
was a town in the distance and surprised that he did not head directly towards it. Instead, he veered off and headed on as if instinct guided him. She was beyond lost and entranced by the expanse of land around them. The stars were everywhere in the night sky and, occasionally, she would hear a howl or a rattling noise. The howling, Anthony explained was coyotes. The rattling was something she needed to stay far, far away from. Snakes and large spiders were natural residents to the state. While they could be dangerous, if you gave them a wide berth, they generally left you alone. The rattle was a warning that they had gotten too close to the snakes’ homes. They didn’t have things like that back in England. This was all new to her and incredibly foreign.
“Will we be stopping soon?” Yawning, she felt herself nodding off as the horizon began to lighten ever so slightly.
“Yes, there is a city I want to get to if you are all right hanging on for a few hours more. It’s tough, but we have covered a lot of ground.”
“Are we safe if we stop now?”
“I don’t know, diosa. I will protect you, but it will be easier once we get to Washington-on-the-Brazos. There, we can get you a room and you can sleep in a bed.”
“Two rooms?”
“Yes, two rooms.”
“Let’s keep going then. I like the idea of sleeping in a real bed and getting some boots.”
“Don’t forget the hat, diosa,” he said softly, seeing her sag in the saddle again as she nearly lost her seating. “Come here, Maggie, and get some sleep.” He leaned over and pulled her towards him. She felt herself tense up and start to wrestle, causing the horses to canter nervously.
“Stop. I’m not going to hurt you or touch you. I just want you to be able to sleep.” She felt him pull her exhausted body from the saddle and settle her on his saddle. She was instantly cradled against his warm chest and felt strangely protected.
“Do you promise?”
“I swear it, diosa, on my life. Get some rest,” he murmured against the top of her head as he plucked the hat off her head to allow her to put her head against his chest. She closed her eyes and drifted off, listening to his heartbeat.
Fallen Bride: A Historical Western Romance (Bride books Book 6) Page 4