“You were no fun,” she complained.
“And you were a pain in the neck.”
“Do you still feel that way?”
He grinned at her. “That has yet to be determined. You still seem a bit mischievous.”
“You have no idea, Mr. Bentley.” Maggie stuck her tongue out at him then ran, laughing, from the stable.
Will chuckled and walked after her. He was just in time to see her disappear into the bunkhouse.
He paused for a moment, thinking about Maggie. She sure was something.
Was it possible that Rose had spoken the truth? Was it possible that Maggie had feelings for him?
Unbelievably enough, it seemed that way. All morning and the night before, she had been friendly… and more than friendly.She seemed excited to spend time with him. She laughed easily and talked freely and seemed to like being close to him.
He remembered the feel of her thigh against his and how excited he’d been to find himself in the bedroom with her, standing inches apart and surveying the big room and its neatly made bed.
Throughout all the time they’d spent together, he’d felt that thing between them, drawing them closer, forming something… and the more he felt it, the more he wanted to feel it.
Looking around at the bunkhouse and burnt home beyond, he wished he’d come home sooner. He hated that his family and Maggie had been living this way.
Oh well. There was no way to change that now. But he wouldn’t let them live this way much longer.
Going inside, he told them he was going to go to town to pick up a few things. “Anybody need anything?”
The women looked at each other.
“Don’t be shy,” Will said. “We have money. Make out a list, and I’ll get everything I can. Mama, if you don’t mind, I’ll borrow your mules and wagon. I want to stop at the hardware store, too, for lumber and other things.”
“May I come with you?” Maggie blurted. “I haven’t been to town since… well, you know.”
She glanced at Rose, who said, “Yeah, I know, and you two have fun, but I won’t be joining you. I’m in no hurry to head back there.”
“I’ll stay with Rose,” Mama said, that amused look coming onto her face again.
“Do you mind, Will?” Maggie asked.
“No, you can ride shotgun.”
“The bandits won’t stand a chance,” Maggie laughed.
“You two had better eat first.”
Will started to say he wasn’t hungry, but the women fussed until he finally gave in and sat down and ate a plate of food.
Then they were finally on their way.
As before, it was a joy to spend time with Maggie. She rode close beside him on the wagon seat, her body touching his, and talked pretty much nonstop all the way to town.
In town, there were a lot of people on the streets, and Will tensed as he passed half a dozen bluebellies on horseback.
“Are you okay?” Maggie asked, laying a hand on his thigh.
“Yeah, I’m all right.”
“Does it bother you, seeing Union soldiers?”
