The distant hum of her voice fell silent. “Seth...? Is something wrong?”
He looked at her again. “Do you know when the wagon trains come through?”
“Um. Yes. New things are dumped beside the trail afterward.”
“No, I’m asking if you know before that.”
She regarded him warily. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
He pinned her with his gaze. “I’m asking you if you watch for them or listen for them—if you know when they’re here.”
She stared at the plate of food in her lap. “Sometimes.”
“Have you tried to make contact? Asked to go with them?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Rebecca looked up. “What good would it do? No one would take me.”
“Oh, c’mon. No decent, self-respecting person would refuse—”
“Oh yes they would.” Now her gaze was doing the pinning. “You said it yourself. By the time the wagons get here, they’re running low on supplies. Families barely have enough food to keep from starving before they get to their destination. They’re not going to take on another mouth to feed.” She collected her plate and stood. “And, even if they would, I’m too decent of a person to ask.”
With an angry swish of her skirt, she strode across the room and scraped what was left of her lunch into a metal tin, and then she marched out of the cave without looking back.
Seth stood at the entrance to the cave and scrubbed a hand over his jaw. He’d really hit a nerve with Rebecca. She’d stormed out without her coat and stayed gone so long, he was worried. He was about to saddle Cyrus and search for her when she appeared at the edge of the trees and walked into the clearing. Her steps faltered when she saw him, but she continued toward him with her arms wrapped tightly around her midriff.
“I was about to come looking for you.”
“I’m fine,” she muttered.
Seth readjusted his hat. He rubbed the back of his neck and let his arm fall to his side. “I’m sorry if I upset you. I didn’t mean to.”
Her gaze flicked away. “I shouldn’t have left like that. I’m sorry, too.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re back.” She looked up at him through her lashes, and a smile tugged at his lips. “You haven’t told me where my area is yet.”
Crimson spread across her pale cheeks, matching her red nose. “There’s a thicket about twenty yards that way,” she said, pointing east. “If that’s all right with you, it’s yours.”
Seth tipped his hat. “That’ll do.” He started to leave, then silently cursed his lapse. “You must be freezing. I’ll stoke the fire before I go.”
Rebecca waved him off. “I can do it.” He had no doubt that she could.
Seth tipped his hat once more. “I’ll be back shortly.” He turned his collar up against the chilling wind and headed for the thicket to the east.
When he returned, she was sitting on a crate near the fire with an empty look in her eyes. He cleared his throat and she flinched.
“Beg your pardon,” he said, stepping into the room and removing his hat. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s all right.” She gave a small smile.
“You warming up?” he asked as he joined her by the fire.
She nodded.
“I was wondering,” Seth said, keeping his voice easy, “if you had any more of those berries left.”
“I do.”
“I liked that cobbler you made last time I was here. If I gave you some sugar and the ingredients for the crust, would you make another one?”
She smiled, a real Angel smile this time. “I’d be glad to.”
Good. That made her happy, and it would keep her busy. “I noticed some deer tracks while I was out. If you don’t mind me leaving for a little while, I’ll see if I can get us some venison for supper. How does that sound?”
“Do you really think you can?” From the look on her face, she hadn’t had deer in a very long time.
“I think so. I’m a pretty good shot.”
Rebecca blinked and the life practically drained from her face.
Shit, Seth. Could you’ve put your foot any further in your mouth? “Sorry. I, uh, I didn’t mean to—”
“What did you do with him?” Her voice was almost a whisper.
“The man who attacked you?”
She nodded, her moist eyes staring into his.
“I—” He wanted to throw the bastard off a cliff to be food for the buzzards, but... “I buried him.”
“Where?”
“Far enough away you won’t come across the grave.” That seemed to appease her.
She exhaled and stared at her slender hands clasped in her lap.
“Rebecca?”
“Hm?” She looked up.
“If I don’t go soon, I won’t have time to hunt. Will you be all right here alone?”
She sat a little straighter and nodded.
He managed a smile. “I’ll get the stuff you need for the cobbler from my bags, then I’ll go get us a deer.”
Seth sopped the last drop of broth from his bowl with one of the biscuits Rebecca had made. “You make a darn good venison stew.” He wasn’t kidding. It was so tender and tasty, he’d nearly abandoned his manners. She nearly had, too.
“I hope you left room for cobbler.”
“For your cobbler? Definitely.”
Rebecca served them both some, and it was better than before. Not wanting to spoil her good mood, he avoided sensitive topics and kept the conversation light. When they’d stuffed themselves sufficiently, he helped her clear the plates and store what was left of the food.
“That’s one good thing about winter,” he said as he hoisted the leftovers into the same tree as the rest of the deer. “Food keeps.” They both rubbed their gloved hands as white puffs of breath dotted their stroll back to the cave.
He entered the main room and set his hat aside as Rebecca added a log to the fire.
“I—” they said at the same time. They both grinned.
“Ladies first.”
Rebecca tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you for supper.”
“I should thank you. You cooked it.”
“Yes, but you provided most of the ingredients.”
“And I ate more than my share. It was a team effort. Let’s leave it at that.”
She gave a conciliatory nod.
Seth rounded up his courage. He was about to upset the cordial climate, but the sun was setting and he needed to know where he was spending the night. “I, uh.” He cleared his throat, more to buy time than from necessity. “I need to find a place and make camp?”
Rebecca’s pleasant expression faded. She caught her lower lip with her teeth, and he wished he could read the thoughts going through her head. “You can leave if you like,” she finally said, “but you’re welcome to stay here. It’s going to be a cold night.”
She was right about that. “I don’t want to impose. Are you sure?”
Half a beat later. “I’m sure.”
“Thank you.” Seth glanced at the dwindling fire. “Could I ask one more favor?”
“Yes.”
“I’d like to heat some water and wash up.”
Rebecca chewed on her lip once more. “Would you rather take a bath?”
“You have a tub?” He hadn’t had a tub bath in months.
“In a manner of speaking; the cave has a spring.”
“Is it warm?” He’d take a potful of warm water over a cold lake any day.
“It’s very warm.”
“In that case, point me to it.”
A crease appeared between Rebecca’s brows. “I can loan you a towel, but I don’t have any more clothes your size.”
“That’s not a problem. I have both.” Seth retrieved the items from his bags, along with his soap. When he returned, she was scooping some of the embers from the fire into a long-handled skillet. She added a few small pieces of wood and stoked
the pile until they caught fire.
“What’s that for?”
“The cavern with the spring is dark this time of evening. You’ll need it to see.” She drew a candle from her pocket and lit it with the flame from the wood, then held it with one hand while she grabbed the cloth-wrapped handle of the skillet with the other. “Follow me.”
She led him into one of the tunnels and down a smooth, stone path. Flickering amber light danced on the walls and cast her in shadow. As they descended, the air around them grew muggy and warm. A faint scent of sulfur mingled with wood smoke and wax.
The tunnel opened into a domed room much like the main one, only the ceiling was solid and low. Under it, a rippling pool topped with a foggy layer of steam was barely visible.
Rebecca set the skillet on an outcropping of rock and placed the rag a safe distance away. “You can put your things over there,” she said, pointing to another rocky shelf. “There are a couple of underwater ledges here at the side you can sit on,” she added once he’d deposited his belongings. “You can venture a few feet from the edge, but don’t get too close to the center of the pool. It’s very deep and very hot there.”
Candlelight bathed Rebecca’s face, softening her features, and reflected like gold in her blue-gray eyes. She’d gone from average-looking to beautiful, and it wasn’t just the light.
“Do you have everything you need?” she asked when he stood there like a dumbstruck fool.
“Yes.”
“When you’re done, bring the skillet. You can use the fire to light your way.” The glow of Rebecca’s candle disappeared with her into the tunnel.
Seth set his soap and towel near the water’s edge, shed his clothes, and stepped into the pool. Air hissed through his teeth—dang, it was hot—then he let out a contented sigh. Soaking in the spring was pure heaven. No wonder she didn’t want to leave.
When he reached for his soap, he noticed a smaller bar nearby and brought it to his nose. Jasmine. With a smile on his face, he set it down and lathered up with his own. No self-respecting man would be caught dead smelling like flowers. He was glad Rebecca did, though. It was one of the things he’d remember most about her. And that thought, the fact she would eventually be nothing more than a memory, made his smile fade.
Seth rinsed himself off and soaked for a while, then glanced at the dwindling fire in the skillet. He’d best get out soon, or he wouldn’t have enough light to find his way back.
Rebecca was sitting on the ground by the fire when he returned. Her arms hugged her skirt-draped knees close to her body, and she stared blankly at the floor, sending a cold wave of trepidation rolling through his chest. She’d always seemed distant to a degree, but not like this.
“Thank you for the bath,” he said, dumping the flickering embers into the fire and setting the empty skillet nearby. “I haven’t been in a hot spring since I was a child.” He laid his towel over a rock to dry, then took his soiled clothes across to his bags.
“I’ll be doing laundry tomorrow. Want me to wash those?”
Sweet Angel. Always taking care of him. “If you don’t mind.” He handed her the clothes, then proceeded to find a draft-free corner and unroll his bed.
Seth stopped when that familiar crease appeared between her brows. “Are you having second thoughts about me staying here tonight?”
“No, I’m worried you won’t be warm enough. This room will be cold by morning.” She must not want to waste the wood it would take to keep the fire going.
Conserving was pointless—she was coming with him when he left—but he let it drop. Now was not the time for that discussion. “Good point.” He gathered his belongings. “Show me where you want me to stay.”
She nibbled her lip, then stood and lit the small candle she’d used before. She led him down the same tunnel she’d gone into the get the crates. They passed three rooms of various sizes, two she apparently used for storage and one that looked like a bedroom. It contained no bed, just a pallet on the floor, but a small oak vanity stood against the far wall.
After they’d gone about five more feet, the tunnel opened into a large, empty cavern. The room wasn’t warm, but it was a comfortable temperature. Well, comfortable if you wrapped yourself head to foot in a blanket.
“Will this do?” Rebecca asked.
“Yes. This is fine.” He didn’t like being so far from the entrance, but the other man and the horses were long gone when he checked on the hut. He didn’t expect any trouble tonight.
Rebecca crossed to a rocky shelf protruding low on the wall. She tilted the candle sideways, pouring out a puddle of wax, then pressed the stub upright in it as it cooled. “Blow this out once you’re settled,” she said as she turned to leave. “See you in the morning.”
“What about you?” Seth indicated the candle.
“I can find my way in the dark.”
“Well, goodnight then.”
“Goodnight.” She disappeared with a floral-scented swish of a skirt.
Seth rolled out his bed as he always did—bedroll below, blanket on top and saddle bags for a pillow. He removed his boots, but kept his clothing on and his sidearm nearby in case something happened in the middle of the night. He refused to leave Rebecca unprotected.
Lying on solid rock wasn’t as comfortable as dirt and grass, but he’d make do. At least he was sheltered from the cold. He blew out the candle, rolled to his side and closed his eyes to drift off. A strange noise made him open them again.
It was Rebecca. She was crying. Her sobs were soft and muffled, but they dug like a knife at his soul. Few sounds were as painful as an anguished woman weeping.
Seth scrubbed a hand over his face. Now what was he going to do? He debated ignoring it, but that didn’t feel right. She was upset; he should go to her. But what if he was the reason for her tears?
He ignored the self-loathing that came with that thought and rose to his feet. One way or another, he’d find a way to soothe her, even if it meant leaving the cave.
Several toe-stubbing steps through the dark later, he stood near the entrance to her room. “Rebecca?”
Her sobs went silent. “Yes?” She sniffled.
He started to ask, ‘Are you all right?’, but she obviously wasn’t. “Is my presence here upsetting you...? Do you want me to leave?”
“No.” She made a small hiccup. “What m—makes you think that?”
I brutally killed a man while you watched. Hell. What was he supposed to say? “I, uh.” He felt useless when it came to crying females. “Would you like to talk?”
“No.”
Well.... At least he tried.
Seth stumbled through the dark to his bed, burrowed under the blanket again, and tried to find a comfortable position. He listened for sniffles and sobs, but heard nothing.
He was about to drift off when the hiss of a match being struck echoed through the cave. The pale glow of a candle lit the tunnel outside his room, and a quilt-wrapped figure appeared at his door.
Rebecca’s lips trembled and she blinked several times. “I changed my mind.”
Seth sat up and motioned to her. “Come here.” He took the candle from her and fixed it like the other on the ledge.
She dropped to her knees in front of him and drew a shuddering breath. “I—I—” She hiccupped again. “You’re not the r—reason I’m c—crying,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m g—glad you’re huh—here.”
“You are?”
She switched to nodding. “Those men—” Her face pinched with emotion. “Th—They were going to—” She choked on a sob. “You saved my life.” She broke down and cried, hand trembling in front of her mouth and tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Ah, Rebecca.” Seth drew her into his arms and cradled her against his chest. She buried her face and sobbed so hard she shook. “Shh, Becca, shhhh.” He rocked her back and forth, murmuring to her and stroking her hair. She’d been so brave, so strong. The sum of the day’s events must’ve finally hit her.
/> Her sobs finally slowed to an occasional shudder. “You c—called me Becca.”
“You don’t like it?”
Her head nudged his chest in a gesture of denial. “I like it. It’s just... I haven’t heard anyone call me that in a long time.” Her body sagged against him, and she made no effort to move. Her eyes were so near closed, damp lashes fringed her tear-stained cheeks.
Seth blew out the candle and eased them down until she was lying in the crook of his arm. She was still cocooned in her quilt—one hand holding it closed and the other clutching the fabric of his shirt.
He pulled his blanket up over them both. “You’re safe, Becca. Go to sleep.”
Mmm. Seth hugged the bundle next to him and pressed his nose to soft cotton. He loved the scent of Rebecca’s soap, but he craved her sweet, female skin more. He nuzzled higher, searching for her hair.
His eyes flew open. What was he doing! He tracked his gaze downward, half flinching at the threat of her reaction.
She wasn’t there.
He pushed his blanket aside. Lord help him. He’d been hugging a rolled up quilt.
Seth flopped to his back and stared at the rocky ceiling. One of the cave’s shafts opened off to one side and lit the room with a soft, morning glow. It wasn’t bright like a window, but gave enough light he could make out the objects around him.
He closed his eyes and scrubbed a hand over his stubbled jaw. What was he going to do about Rebecca? She’d be leaving this godforsaken country and coming with him this time—that wasn’t even up for discussion—but where, and what then?
A month ago, he’d seen her as nothing more than someone to rescue, a minor complication to his plans. But now... He’d best not dwell on that thought. Some things were better left undisturbed—the foolish dream of finding a wife and settling down being one of them. He wouldn’t settle for anything less than a good one. And once she found out about his past, no good woman would settle for him.
Seth pulled on his boots, then grabbed his soap and shaving kit from his bag and headed for the main room of the cave. Unsurprisingly, Becca was kneeling by the fire, cooking breakfast. “Good morning,” he said as he entered the room.
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