“They were so young.”
“Too young.”
Was it his imagination, or were her words edged with steel?
Then she smiled, driving away any hint of darkness. “I’ve dampened your shirt.” She touched the spot.
“It’s nothing.” He pressed his palm to the place. The cool spot warmed under his skin. Lifting his hand from his chest, he slid his fingers along Addie’s cheek, drying the last remnant of moisture.
She caught his hand.
The moment hung silent and brimming with possibility.
Her gaze lowered. Pink blushed in her cheeks. She moved his hand from touching her. “Thank you for your kindness.”
Kindness? The word barely grazed the breadth of the feelings flooding him.
But it was enough for now. A good start. “You’re welcome.” A very good start. “We should get back.”
Hawk would have returned. He’d have plans about getting the stagecoach on its way to Golden Valley.
The damp, slippery ground required that Nash hold Addie’s arm as they climbed the hill and made their way to the cabin.
Hawk greeted them once they entered. “Good. You’re here. I need your help.”
Nash paused only long enough to give Addie a shrug and hopefully convey his reluctance at leaving her. Then he followed Hawk. The man’s strides were long and rapid.
Why was Hawk in such a hurry?
Ten
Addie frowned at the closed door. Moments ago, she had Nash at her side. The future looked brighter than the sunlight bursting through the window. She wrapped her arms around herself. Perhaps it was a good thing Hawk had called him away. Before she’d wandered too far down a path that both excited and frightened her.
Excited because of the way her heart leaped when he touched her. The way she’d longed to lean against him as he tried to teach her to skip rocks. And the allure of a future that included him.
Frightened because of how easily her heart had gone after him. She’d never had a beau. No young men ventured close. Not that she minded.
Because…
She clamped her lips together to hold back a gasp as the reason flashed through her thoughts.
After the pain of losing her parents, she’d promised herself she would never love anyone like she’d loved them.She’d never allow anyone or anything to fill the void their deaths had left.
A memory surfaced. Pa and Ma embracing. Their show of affection embarrassed Addie, but it also made her feel safe. Pa had held out one arm and invited her to join them. She’d been enfolded between them, surrounded by their love for each other and for her.
Pa’s words came to her. Words she’d forgotten until now.
“Sweet Addie, your ma and I pray that someday you find a love as wonderful as ours.”
Oh, Pa, I forgot that.He’d be disappointed in how she’d rejected every advance by every man. Except now. Could Nash be the answer to her parents’ prayer?
Warmth bubbled up inside her. She tamped down the urge to laugh.
But he hadn’t said anything when she indicated she longed for a place like where they sat. One of peace and permanency.
Not that she regretted the life she lived with the Stones. She’d found satisfaction in helping others. Like the Stones had helped her in her darkest hour.
But if this was God’s answer to her parents’ hopes and prayers, then she would be open to where it led.
