“Considering I would feel compelled to rescue you, it is very much my concern.”
Quickening my stride, I reached his side. “Why am I so important to you?”
“You’re not.” His blunt answer caused my eyebrows to rise in surprise.
“Then why insist on dragging me to Lisbon? The town will be there regardless of whether I am.”
“Yes, but your father may not be.”
“And you must speak with my father?” At his nod, I continued, “After two entire days of talk, I should think you both heartily sick of the other.” He shrugged.
We walked a while in silence as I tried to piece together what Colton was not saying. He had some business with my father, something so important it required more than two days of discussion. He didn’t blink an eye when I was shoved into his arms, and he kept calm during the mob’s pursuit. I was well and truly confused, and not a little intrigued about the man I was with.
“Why did my father send me with you?” I folded my arms around my waist, the evening air chillier than the day had been. Even the exertion of our walk couldn’t keep the cooler air from raising goose bumps along my bare arms.
“He probably thought you’d be safer with me, sweetheart.” Again the endearment slipped easily from his lips. It would. Handsome men are accustomed to female company.
“Why am I safer with you than with my own father?”
“Honestly?” Colton shot me a knowing glance. “I believe your father was matchmaking.”
“You? He wants me to marry you?” I couldn’t help the incredulous tone of my voice. Handsome though he may be, he was not at all my type. I preferred quiet, easily handled men I could leave in the corner and not worry about.
“You are at least twenty, and unwed. He must be worried.” Instead of being offended by my reaction, he sounded amused.
“No more so than your own parents, I imagine.”
That startled a laugh from him. The sound was strangely full and carried in the stillness of the forest. “My parents have given up on me marrying. Recently, my mother suggested marriage frightens me witless.”
“Does it?” He was altogether too handsome to be unattached. Unless he was hiding a deep, dark secret. In that case, it made perfect sense for him to be alone.
“Does it what?” His head abruptly turned, and he threw an arm out to halt our progress. Putting a finger to his lips, he looked off to our right. I hadn’t heard anything, but Colton apparently had super sensitive ears. Must make him impossible to live with.
We listened in silence for a few minutes. This reminder of our precarious situation caused me to shiver. Or perhaps it was the night air. What if the men caught us? Were they after my father or me? I wasn’t certain which side I was on, and until I figured that out, staying out of everyone’s way seemed the best solution.
Now anxious, I stepped closer to Colton. His gaze remained focused on the trees around us, as if he expected an enemy to appear at any moment. After another long minute, his stance abruptly relaxed. He clicked his tongue to the horse, and we resumed walking.
After walking a while in silence, I couldn’t stand the stillness anymore. I had to say something, anything, to stop myself from thinking about what could possibly be in the forest (wild animals, angry men, and many legged bugs came to mind).
Besides, Colton was irritating me. Did he have to stride so arrogantly through the forest? He looked perfectly at ease in the woods, ducking errant tree branches, stepping over roots in the path between the trees and remaining calm whenever a squirrel or other animal called out unexpectedly.
Whereas I startled at the slightest sound. When Brutus jangled his bit, I jumped. When I snapped a branch underfoot, I nearly cried out in surprise. I never really considered myself an indoor girl before, but I was fast finding out I was rather unprepared for roughing it in the forest.
And he meant to sleep here? No way.
“Are we close to Lisbon?” My attention caught on the torn and battered hem of my dress. I wondered if I’d ever be able to get the dirt out. Perhaps a long soak in cold water?
Looking up, I noticed Colton watching me expectantly. Oh. I’d asked a question, hadn’t I? “Yes?” I asked, eyebrows raised.
“Do you normally ask questions and meander off before people can answer?”
“I hardly meandered. It is not my fault your answers lack conviction.” I shivered involuntarily. Of all times to leave the house without a jacket, I chose today. In my defense, there had been a mob forming outside my front door, so perhaps I could be forgiven for forgetting a few things.
“I wanted to know whether you thought we were there yet.” His quick stride never faltered, no matter the path had become rocky and uneven.
“Probably not, but I was hoping you would assure me otherwise.”
“No such luck. I deal only in truth.” Glancing sideways at me, he abruptly halted. “You are cold. May I offer my jacket?”
I looked dubiously at the lightweight jacket hugging Colton’s broad shoulders. As dirty and bedraggled as it was, I would have welcomed its warmth. But, I was still wary of the man and didn’t want to accept anything from him.
“No, thank you. I do not take things, jackets or otherwise, from strangers.” My tone was prim.
“Are we back to that?” He again started forward. Since I had no wish to be left alone, I grudgingly fell into step besides him.
“We never left it.” Everything about this man set my back up. I normally got along with almost everybody. Perhaps it was the frissons of awareness scaling my back every time I looked at him.
“And here I was thinking we might become friends.” His tone implied otherwise.
I snorted. “The only reason I would consider becoming your friend is because you are armed and can force my compliance.” A pause. “Why do you carry a gun?”
“One can never be too careful when traveling.”
“Have you traveled far?”
“Yes.”
I waited for him to continue. When nothing more was offered, I asked, “Not the chatty type, are we?” I swatted at a bug as it attempted to land on my arm.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I have nothing nice to say.”
“Or you’re exceptionally boring.” At his questioning glance, I said, “Only boring people do not talk because they never have anything of interest to say.”
He laughed, startling me. “Then I suppose you must be fascinating because you have not ceased talking this last quarter mile.”
“If you wanted silence, you could have refused my father’s demands and left me behind.”
“Ah. Missed opportunities.”
It took me a minute to realize he was teasing me. “You do have a sense of humor!” Bad, this was very bad. The only thing more attractive than a handsome man was a handsome man with a sense of humor.
This time, his grin was a white slash in the otherwise dark forest. Only because I was walking close beside him did I even see it. “I've been known to occasionally crack jokes.”
“And then force people to laugh with your gun.” I fought a yawn, knowing Colton would insist we stop for the night. I was not sleeping in the forest and he couldn’t make me.
“It is more of a suggestion.” This time my yawn escaped me. Hearing it, Colton stopped the horse. “I suppose you are about to deny you are tired?”
“If it means bedding down in the forest, I will walk another day.”
“What is your aversion to the forest?” Colton began tightening Brutus’ girth.
“Besides the hard ground, unprotected shelter, and chill, I have nothing against it. I simply do not wish to sleep in it. Do you mean to push on to Lisbon then?” Try as I might, I couldn’t summon up my earlier enthusiasm for that idea. It might have something to do with the fact I was tired.
“We may as well, since you are being difficult about it.” Finished with the horse’s girth, Colton nodded toward the saddle. “Up you go, then.”
I grabbed the front of the saddle and raised my leg for the stirrup. Brutus being a tall horse, my leg didn’t reach that high. Seeing the problem, Colton gave me a helpful leg up, with almost a little too much force. I nearly fell off the other side of the saddle, but managed to grab a handful of the horse’s mane to balance myself.
I’d barely settled before Colton mounted, reminding me again of his size and strength. In a matter of seconds, I was securely tucked against him. His hands even adjusted my skirt, pulling it upwards to allow my legs more freedom of movement. It was only when he unbuttoned his jacket and pulled the ends around my torso that he said anything.
“I knew you were cold.” His voice rumbled beneath my back.
I made some kind of noncommittal reply, occupied in pressing myself against any part of his body I could reach. The man was infernally warm from calves to shoulders. Allowing myself a full body shiver, I huddled closer.
“Do not think this makes us friends. I’m only after your warmth.” This I said after burying my cold hands between the back of my thighs and the tops of his.
“That is the first time a lady has used that excuse for plastering herself against me.” With a gentle nudge, Colton started Brutus walking down the path.
“Oh? Do you regularly kidnap women and force them to accompany you on nighttime viewings of the forest?” I sleepily rested my head against the side of his neck. Shoved as I was on top of his lap, there was really no other place to put it.
“Only the ones I really like.” I felt his ribs expand on a deep breath. “Shall I wake you when we reach Lisbon?”
“Please.” Already, my eyes were closing. I felt myself go limp as sleep claimed me.
Chapter Two
The abrupt cessation of motion woke me with a start. I sat up so fast I nearly broke the grip of Colton’s arms around my waist. Only his quick reaction saved me a tumble from Brutus’s back.
“Easy there, sweetheart.” His voice, coming close to my ear, unnerved me further.
Dawn had broken, lending a feathery look to the trees. Had I really spent the night cuddled against this strangely disturbing man?
Rubbing my eyes, I asked, “Are we at Lisbon?”
“Almost.” His hands came up, pushing into my stomach. “There is hardly room for modesty in a saddle.”
“We are far beyond modesty.” I subsided with a sigh back into the cradle of his arms and chest. I couldn’t even muster any embarrassment at so shamelessly pressing myself against him. “Did you sleep at all?”
“And leave Brutus to see us safely to Lisbon?” His voice was softly mocking.
“Please. No teasing before breakfast. After I eat, you may mock all you want.”
Apparently agreeing, his answer was mild. “The town is just over that rise.” He pointed to the hill in the path not far from us.
“Excellent.”
A moment passed. I could almost hear the gears turning in his brain. “Before we go much further, I will need to know what your father gave you.”
“Besides a destination, nothing,” I lied, hoping he wouldn’t push it.
No such luck. “At least check if he left instructions where you are to meet.” His voice was tired and I wondered with a start when he’d last slept.
This would be better accomplished on the ground. I would need privacy to see if my father told me something he didn’t want Colton to know. “After we dismount, I will be happy to inspect the purse.”
Wordlessly, Colton stopped the horse and swung down. Immediately I missed his warmth. The day would be hot, but for now, the morning was cool. I dismounted and indulged in a quick stretch. I looked up to find Colton watching me expectantly.
“Fine. Since you are so impatient.” With a longsuffering sigh, I took the purse from my pocket. It was rather small and nondescript down to the inoffensive tan color. At the bottom, I felt some kind of object. Until I’d had the chance to examine it, it would stay in the bag. Pulling the drawstring and inconspicuously palming the object at the bottom so it wouldn’t fall out, I opened it. It contained enough Goran marks to purchase a ticket back to Bolien if I so wished. A folded note lay half hidden among the money and I eagerly seized it.
Dearest,
In my opinion, everything is ready for you to move into your new house. Please accept the token accompanying this note as a symbol of my highest esteem.
I remain your most loyal servant,
Michael Summerlynn
New house? Token? Loyal? I’d heard nothing about a new house. And what token? Oh, that must be the item still in the bag. I’d have to get rid of Colton before I examined it.
I didn’t have long to ruminate as Colton plucked the note from my hands.
“Hey!” I made a grab, but it was too late. His expression tightened and I knew he was displeased by what he read.
“What else is in that bag?” This time, when he reached for the purse, I was ready and stepped beyond reach.
“Uh uh. The letter.” I held out my hand.
“Will you give me the bag if I give you the letter?” Colton raised an eyebrow at me. I lowered both of mine back.
“No.”
“Then I’m keeping it.” True to his word, Colton slipped the letter into the inner pocket of his jacket, ignoring my noise of outrage.
“That’s mine!” I stamped my foot. Well, I couldn’t very well rush at the man and attempt to overpower him and take the letter, now could I? Not only was he taller, he was stronger. Besides, I had no intention of giving him the purse and he would only wrestle it from me if I stepped closer.
“Is it? What does it mean then?” Alertness crept into his expression. Had he guessed I knew more then I let on?
My lips tightened. “I don’t know what the letter is about. That does not change the fact my father gave it to me. Hand it over.”
“No.” Apparently satisfied, Colton changed the subject. ”I am not certain what exactly awaits us in town so please stay close to me.”
That seemed reasonable. “I want my letter back.”
“It is annoying to dwell on the past.” Clucking to the horse, he resumed walking toward town. What was it with this man and walking away? Had his mother not taught him how to finish a conversation?
Climbing the hill, I paused a moment to appreciate the view. Lisbon was a good-sized town, edges of it spreading to fill my peripheral vision. How was I going to find my father in this place? He hadn’t mentioned a specific meeting place, and I had a feeling finding him would not be an easy task.
As for the letter, if Colton ever gave it back, I didn’t know where to send it. There wasn’t an address, nor was there a name. “Dearest” could be anyone.
Still deep in thought, I silently followed Colton all the way into what looked to be the town center. When he stopped, I would have continued past him if he hadn’t grabbed my arm.
“Yes?” I pointedly looked at his hand on my elbow. His tanned skin stood out against my own pale arm. Of course the man made me look shallow and sick.
“Where did your father tell you to meet him?”
“He didn’t.”
Colton looked at me, eyes wide. “Are you telling me you do not even know where to begin looking for him?”
“Yes.”
“I need a drink.” He shook his head, causing the blonde locks to attractively tousle. I suddenly wanted to burrow my hand in that hair, at that place right behind his ear.
“It is too early for a drink.” Judging from the position of the sun in the sky, I would say it was only around seven or eight in the morning.
A gusty sigh escaped him. “Do you have any idea how big Lisbon is?”
“I haven’t had time to count all the houses yet,” I returned, sarcasm liberally sprinkling my words.
“I cannot think at the moment.” At the lack of intonation in his voice, I turned my head to really look at him. Colton was clearly exhausted, rubbing his forehead in rough motions. I felt a stab of sympathy for his sleepless night. If I had
been the one to go without sleep, the entire town would know about it by now. “Right. Here’s what we’re going to do. We’ll take a room in an inn, maybe have some breakfast and I will take a nap. This afternoon, we will ask around and see if we can’t locate your father.”
“What am I supposed to do while you sleep?”
“If I’d known I would be responsible for day and night entertainment, I would have left you with your father.” Running a hand down Brutus’ nose, Colton resumed walking.
“You didn’t have much of a choice. Besides, I sincerely doubt I would ever find you interesting enough to be entertaining.” I couldn’t resist the little dig. Honestly, from the sparks we were striking off each other, there should be a fire.
“I suppose it depends on your idea of entertainment.” His reply lacked the usual verve. I noticed the way his steps slowed and how Brutus did most of the leading. Colton’s head was down and he focused on each foot before taking a step.
I felt a pang of regret for being so troublesome when the man was barely awake. If ever there was a time to be managing, it was now. Stepping briskly to Colton’s side, I slipped an arm through his. He straightened in surprise, giving me a confused look from those deep blue eyes. I smiled encouragingly.
This was the closest I’d been to the man during daylight hours. I again noticed his beard was a shade darker than the dirty gold of his hair, but that could be from the dust of our travel. His eyes were a deeper blue than I’d thought, the pupils dilating in the light from the rising sun. The more I looked at him, the more I began to appreciate the fact the man was incredibly good looking in spite of the rather unruly beard.
My eyes drifted lower, down the trim stomach and hips, to the strong length of his legs His shoulders were wide, his chest solid. There was a lean, almost predatory strength to his movements, putting me in mind of a nearly tame wolf. He would be as liable to bite as lick the hand that fed him. Since I wasn’t planning to feed him, I should be safe. Maybe.
We turned down a street, having spotted a sign advertising an inn. Colton leaned more and more heavily on my arm, eyes half closed. My feelings of sympathy faded however, once his hand brushed the side of my breast. With a harder shove than necessary, I pushed him upright against Brutus when we reached the inn.
Shades of Truth (The Summerlynn Secrets) Page 2