Dakota Cowboy

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“Seems I heard that a time or two already.”

“It’s closer than last time you asked.”

She sighed mightily, too hot to hide her worry. “So is Christmas. I’m wondering which will get here first.”

“I ’spect we would have been there by now except we have to move at a snail’s pace thanks to Queenie there.” Sarcasm edged his words. “A mistake if I ever saw one.”

“Would you suggest we should have hung around making detailed plans until Smitty found us?”

“’Course not. But next time steal a fast horse.”

Roy tipped sideways and Wade caught him. “Hang on, Roy, we’re almost there.”

“We’re already there.” Lucy’s lips pursed as she spoke. “Which is where? Lost in the middle of nowhere. Going round in circles waiting for the buzzards to find us.”

“We ain’t lost. We ain’t going in circles.”

“I suppose you mean that to be comforting? It’s not.”

“Look yonder.” He pointed.

She squinted into the distance. “Nothing but more heat waves and endless grass.”

“Right down on the horizon. See. A water tower. It’s our destination.”

She finally located it. Her whole insides kicked with new hope. She checked over her shoulder and allowed herself to relax when she saw no dust trailing in their direction. “Roy, hear that? We’re almost there. Thank God.”

Roy stirred himself. “I’m thirsty.”

Wade patted Roy’s leg. “There’ll be water there. And food.”

Now that her inner knot of concern had relaxed, Lucy’s conscience smote her. Wade had led them to safety. And she’d been snippy about how long it took when really she had only one party to blame— Queenie, the slowest moving horse this side of eternity. “Wade, I’m sorry for being impatient.”

He slowed so they rode side by side and gave her a look of wide-eyed surprise. “Why Lucy, I hardly noticed.”

Her heart kicked up its pace at his teasing.

“Besides, I intend to get you safely to the ranch.”

His words effectively reminded her he had only one reason to care about her safety—his own feelings for a man she didn’t want to see. His concern wasn’t personal at all, much as her fickle brain hoped for just a fraction of a second it was. Which was stupid. She’d long ago learned not to pin her hopes and heart on expecting anything from a man.

And now she had to face the reality of seeing the one person she’d vowed to never speak to again—her father. She looked at Roy, now alert and peering toward the approaching town. She hadn’t been able to see an alternative in the predawn hours. After a moment’s thought she could still find none.

Somehow she’d survive the visit and return to her familiar world and her own plans. She only hoped it would be with her emotions unscathed. But as she allowed herself a fleeting glance at Wade who continued to study the horizon with a mixture of relief and concern, Lucy knew walking away with her heart intact may well be impossible. Not only would her father shred it yet again, she feared Wade would, as well.

It took them another hour to reach the town. They went directly to the low building that served as the train station and learned the next train would arrive in half an hour. That gave them enough time to hustle up some food and drink.

Half an hour later, their thirst quenched and hunger demands met, she and Roy stepped into the puffing, smoke-belching train.

Lucy heaved a sigh of relief as she sank down on a stiff green leather seat. Roy guarded the sack of sandwiches wrapped in brown paper Wade had ordered for the trip. He didn’t intend to let anything happen to their food supply. She glanced out the window and allowed a bit of tension to ease from her muscles. So far there’d been no sign of Smitty. He didn’t appear to have followed them on horseback or he would have overtaken them.

Not that she was foolish enough to expect he’d forget she and Roy were witnesses to his murderous act.

Wade had been seeing to the horses and now joined them.

She spread her dusty skirts and hugged the middle of the bench. As if reading her reluctance and finding it amusing, Wade grinned, pushed aside her skirts and planted himself beside her. She shifted over and pressed against the window trying to convince herself she had no reason to be annoyed at him. After all, he had readily agreed to protect them. Of course, she knew it was only because he had gotten what he came for.