by Sher Dillard
“But, why? Why don’t they want you to get one of the coins?”
He paused for a long moment, then shook his head. “I don’t know, not for sure. I have some ideas. But, I don’t know.”
She stepped away from him. She needed distance to think. His touch distracted her. There was something he wasn’t telling her.
A sense of guilt passed through her as she fought to keep the feeling from showing on her face. She was keeping things from him. Important things. But, she must. The coin around her neck was her only chance.
“I need to go south,” she said. “Far south, maybe as far as Lushcany.”
“Why?” he asked. “Is there someone there who could help you?”
“Yes, maybe,” she said as her mind raced. A king could protect her. A king could offer her a new life, in a new land. “An uncle,” she added. Her heart hurt with the lie.
He slowly nodded. “Well, then, south it is. I can be ready in a couple of days. We’ll need ...”
“What? No,” she exclaimed. “I wasn’t thinking of you going. You don’t owe me. I assure you this is not your fault. I promise.”
He smiled down at her, his eyes twinkling. “Fault, honor, duty, none of it matters. The only thing that matters is that you are all right. I cannot let you travel to the south, alone, the road is too dangerous. The trip too hazardous.”
“Thad, I thank you, really I do,” she said, as she rested a hand on his broad chest. “But, I can’t ask this of you. Besides, you said you needed to search for the coin.
He laughed. “Rachel, you have no choice in the matter. I will accompany you. My sword is yours. Besides, my mother would box my ears if she ever learned I let a lady such as yourself travel alone.”
Rachel stepped back. Unable to believe what she was hearing. He really was going to go with her. To watch over her safety. The thought sent a long warm feeling to her soul that melted any and all doubt.
The warm feeling was quickly followed by a sense of dread. Alone with this man? They would be thrown together constantly, sharing a life together. Even if only for a period of time.
She thought of those wide shoulders and the twinkle in his eyes. That heart melting smile and the way her heart raced whenever he was near.
She didn’t fear the road, she didn’t fear him. Her greatest fear was of herself and what might happen between them. Or even worse, what might not.
Chapter Six
The horses shied away from him as Thad approached the wagon.
“They don’t like you,” Rachel said from atop the wagon seat.
“That’s okay,” he responded. “I don’t like them either. But, they’ll do what they’re told or else.”
A brief look of concern flashed across her face.
He laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt them. I’m not a monster, not at heart. But, they don’t need to know that.”
She seemed to relax a little. He reminded himself. This woman feared his violent nature. He saw it in the way she looked at him sometimes. As if she were afraid he would erupt into a whirlwind of death and destruction.
“Thank you again,” she said, as he pulled himself up into the seat next to her. “For everything, the wagon, the food. I will pay you back, I promise. Once we get there.”
She still refused to tell him where they were going. But, that was okay. It was south, and it was with her. Nothing else really mattered. It was not like he had any idea where to search for a coin.
He was out of clues, directions, or ideas.
Grabbing the reigns, he looked over at Rachel, he asked, “Are you sure there is nobody you want to say goodbye to?”
She set her jaw and shook her head. “No, not really.”
He nodded in understanding, then flicked the reins and the horses leaned into their harness. The wagon lurched, and Rachel was bounced into him. She blushed and quickly pulled away. But, not before he’d felt that familiar warm sensation he always felt when they touched.
She is not for you, he reminded himself. This woman fears you. Fears the violence inside of you. If she ever learned the truth, she would run as fast as her legs could move. Hating you every moment.
No, she was not for him. And, that fact was going to eat at him for the next several weeks, he realized, as he caught a soft hint of lavender.
Her sweet perfume was only going to make it ever more difficult.
She’s not for you, he repeated to himself. Maybe if he said it enough times, he would begin to believe it.
.o0o.
Rachel was in pure misery. Misery mixed with pure bliss. Every time the wagon hit a bump, her hip would slide into his. Her knee would bump his. She found herself taking longer and longer to move away from him.
She also noticed that he never moved away from her.
That’s because he doesn’t even register the fact, she thought to herself.
Three more weeks of this. How would she survive?
She knew perfectly well what was expected of a young woman of her class. Chastity, pureness. No man would ever ask for her hand unless she could come to him pure and innocent.
Yet, you’re never to marry anyway, she thought. Who would want a penniless librarian for a wife? Especially, if she had been with another man.
The thought of the rather large man next to her would not leave her mind. His solid presence made her feel small and feminine. He reminded her that she was a woman. Rachel found herself liking the feeling.
He had barely spoken on the road. Lost in his own thoughts. Yet, at no time did she forget he was there. All he did all day was guide the horses, and look to the sky. Why? Was he afraid they would be attacked by some mighty bird?
Where was he from? she wondered. Why had he come to her city? She knew he said he had been looking for a coin. But, why?
Sighing, she looked off into the distance. The road ahead turned to the left, south, away from the Dronan dessert. She looked back over her shoulders. The Kushian mountain range was growing smaller as they traveled.
She had grown up living at the bottom of those mountains. They had always been there. Hanging over everyone and everything. It was strange to think that at some point she would no longer be able to see them. Maybe never again to see their blue ridges and snow covered peaks.
She thought of her destination. The family stories spoke of mountains. But, surely, they could not be as majestic as the Kushians.
“We’ll camp up ahead, just a little way. I don’t want to push the horses too hard the first day.”
“Camp?” she asked with a shaky voice that embarrassed her. “I thought we would stop at an Inn?”
“Tomorrow, but we can’t reach it before nightfall. And, these roads are not exactly safe at night. We will pull off. I know a good spot. No one will see us from the road.”
Rachel swallowed hard. She had known that they might have to camp at some point along the trip. Heaven knew that Thad had purchased enough blankets. But, today? Already? Her insides began to churn with worry.
Get a grip, she admonished herself. This is Thad. You don’t need to fear him.
She glanced over at him, her eyes studying every detail. The scars. The firm set of his jaw. The way he scanned the road for danger. Everything told her this was a strong, powerful man. There would be no fighting him if he wanted something, she thought.
The thought was immediately followed with the realization that she wouldn’t fight him. She would willingly surrender to this man. In fact, a deep secret part of her desperately wanted to surrender to him.
The wagon lurched and she had to grab the side of the seat to stop from sliding into him. They had turned off the road into a narrow canyon. The horses had to lean into their harnesses to pull the wagon through the soft sand.
Several hundred yards later, the canyon bent to the north. Thad guided the horses around the bend and pulled back on the reigns.
“This should do,” he said. “No one will be able to see us from the road.
“Do you really thi
nk they are following us,” she asked. Her heart beating quicker with the thought.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Better safe than sorry.”
Thad’s not worried, she thought, not really. It was as if nothing ever really worried this man. Fires, thugs, or nights under the stars with a strange woman. Nothing bothered him.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, as he jumped down from the wagon.
“Where are you going?” she asked. “The horses?”
He smiled. “It will only be a minute. I want to wipe away our tracks where we turned off. No need to leave a calling card. The horses can wait a few more minutes.
She watched him walk around the corner and out of site. What now? she wondered.
Looking around she saw a fire ring of old, charred rocks. Further up the canyon, several walnut trees lined the canyon wall.
The horses shuffled in their tack and looked back at her as if asking, ‘What now?’
“I know,” she said to them. “I’m wondering the same thing.”
Thad returned only a minute later. His long strides eating up ground as he calmly approached the horses.
Once he had them free of their harnesses, he led them to a small patch of green grass under the walnut trees.
Rachel watched him work, the way his strong hands manipulated the leather and buckles. The way his straight back rippled with muscle as he bent to unhook the horses.
Her insides melted. What was it about this man that made her forget right from wrong? Forget every lesson she had ever learned, and so strongly desire a new lesson.
“Do you need help down?” he asked with a cocked eyebrow, as he held out a hand for her.
Rachel fought to not blush. She’d been day dreaming about him and completely forgotten she was still sitting atop the wagon like a helpless child.
“Thank you,” she said as she took his hand.
A twittering tingle traveled up her arm. She’d been sitting next to this man all day, and still he made her feel this way.
Biting the inside of her lip, she fought to bring herself back under control.
When she stepped down to the canyon floor, she halted. He didn’t step back. Instead, he continued to stand there before her. Towering over her. Looking down at her as if he wanted something. Something only she could give him. The feeling of need and desire washed through her. Her knees became weak, and she felt herself leaning into him. Swaying towards him.
Thad seemed to realize what was going on. A quick frown passed across his face before he stepped back.
“Sorry,” he said. “My mind was drifting there for a second. It has been a long day.”
She nodded her head, accepting his apology. But, she had seen it. That look of desire in his eyes. Thad was interested in her. The thought sent a surge of adrenalin throughout her body. The sense of power and accomplishment were thrilling.
The realization that they had a long, lonely, dark night in front of them, was both thrilling and terrifying.
What would he expect from her? Where would she sleep? Next to him? The thought was exciting. To be wrapped up in his arms. To fall asleep with a sense of complete safety.
Turning from her, he went and watered the horses, then returned and began removing items from the back of the wagon.
“Here,” he said, as he dumped a load of blankets. “You can make your pallet here, between the fire and the canyon wall. You’ll get extra warmth reflected back on you.”
They would sleep separately. Her heart sagged with a slight sadness. It was what was right, what was proper, she reminded herself. But, that didn’t mean she had to like it.
“I’ll take the other side of the fire,” he continued “between you and any wolves or bears.
“There are wolves and bears here?” she asked with a gasp.
He chuckled slightly. “No fear, Rachel. They won’t bother us.”
“How can you be sure?” she asked.
“I just know,” he said with a firmness that surprised her. She caught a glimpse of something behind his eyes. Something that told her a wolf or bear would be a fool to challenge such a man.
As Rachel began to make up her pallet, her separate pallet, she reminded herself with a grimace, Thad gathered wood and quickly started a fire. He then put together a quick stew and sat back to let it bubble.
The rich aroma of the cooking food pulled at her. The day was already turning to night, the canyon walls hiding the sun.
God, she was hungry, she thought, as she watched him squat next to the fire. Hungry for more than just food, she realized.
“Watch that. Stir it occasionally,” he said. “I’ve got to move the horses to a different patch of ground and give them another drink.”
Her heart turned over as she watched him disappear into the darkness. The black night crept in on her like a smothering blanket. Off in the distance, a jackal yipped. She scooted backwards to rest against the canyon wall. A sense of aloneness fell over her.
She had never camped. Never spent a night away from her father’s roof. Never been alone with a strange man.
Her world had changed, she realized. The old rules no longer applied. She must learn the new rules of this new life. And, quickly.
Thad returned out of the night and squatted down to next to the fire.
“It’s done,” he said as he stirred the stew.
The stew was made of hot, hearty broth, and warmed her soul as she ate. Rachel fought to not to eat too quickly lest he think she was a mis-mannered animal. But, she was so hungry. It was a hard battle, she barely won.
When the dishes were cleaned and put away, he removed his sword, and stretched out on his bed and looked up into the stars, a small smile on his face as his entire body seemed to relax.
He wears his sword always, she realized. As if it were a part of him. He’d be lost without it. She had seen what he could do without it. The idea of the damage he could cause with it made her shiver.
She studied him for a long moment. His large body acting as a wall against the dark night. His strong hands resting on his chest.
He likes this, she thought. Living simply, living for the now.
Taking his silence for an indication that the evening was done, she too lay down on her bed and studied the stars above them. A thousand thoughts flew through her mind. What if it rained? She liked his smile, especially the way his eyes twinkled when he was happy. Would the horses be all right? What if a bear attacked them? Thad was very strong, wasn’t he? What would it be like to have him cover her, be inside of her...?
The thought shocked her. Not so much that she had thought it. She had been having those thoughts all day. No, it was the way her body reacted to the thought. Becoming soft, pliant, as if desperate for him.
If he came to her tonight, she would not be able to say, ‘no.’ She would surrender herself to him. Willingly. If he moved towards her, she would more than meet him half way.
Don’t be silly, she told herself. And, don’t get your hopes up. Thad isn’t interested in you.
She turned over to face the canyon wall, fighting desperately to put him out of her mind.
But, every time she came close to ignoring him, he would breathe. Or twitch, or something. Pulling her thoughts back to him. Back to the large, handsome man only a few feet away.
.o0o.
Rachel woke to a deep sense of disappointment. He hadn’t come to her in the night.
Why? What was wrong with her? she thought. Quickly followed by the realization that a man like Thad would never be interested in someone like her.
He probably prefers brazen hussies, she thought. Blonde, big breasted women who knew their way around a man’s body. Girls who knew what to do and how to make a man sick with desire and need.
Not mousy girls with their heads buried in books all day.
Sighing, she turned over.
He was gone. His bed empty. A sense of dread washed over her. He might not want her. But, the least he could do was tell her when he was lea
ving.
A horse’s neigh let her know he was off taking care of them. Her insides relaxed just a little.
The fire was going, a pot of beans boiling to the side. His bed was rolled up. Ready to be loaded.
Another day, she thought. Another day of rubbing hips on the wagon and the tantalizing aroma of leather and sandalwood.
It was going to be a long day. A very long day and an even longer few weeks.
Chapter Seven
Thad pulled on the right reign to guide the horses back onto the main road. Once they were going, he looked over his shoulder. Still no pursuit. He was surprised, he’d expected them. In fact, he’d been up half the night waiting for them.
Or, at least, that was what he told himself. The fact that a beautiful young woman slept only a few feet away had no impact on him and his sleeping habits. No, none.
Glancing over, he asked, “How’d you sleep?”
“Better than I thought I would,” she answered with a weak smile.
He nodded. “Fresh air and hard work will do it every time.”
She smiled back at him, but remained quiet.
An awkward silence fell between them. Like a wall of unknown tension. What was it about this woman that made him think of a warm home and happy children?
Shaking it off, he glanced up at the sky, and then again over his shoulder.
“You keep doing that,” Rachel said with a hint of exasperation.
“Doing what?”
“Scanning the sky or looking behind us. Do you really think they will come after us?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered simply.
After a long pause, Rachel sighed and said, “And?”
“And, what? Yes, I think they will come after us.”
She shook her head. “No, why are you scanning the sky? What? Do you hope to see a dragon? Or, are you a bird watcher? One of those men who keeps a list of all the birds he sees.”
He studied her for a long minute. “You really don’t believe in dragons, do you?”
“As I explained before. Not until I see one.”
He laughed again and flicked the reigns to keep the horses moving. “Maybe that’s why I keep looking to the sky. To show you one.”