“Private goodbyes?” She crossed her arms as if she didn’t know what he was talking about.
“Got to say see you later to my girl in the proper way.” He drew her against him.
She slid her palms over his chest and around the back of his neck, igniting fire in his belly. Golden flecks lit her hazel eyes as they delved into his gaze. “You stay out of trouble and come back soon as you can, you hear?” A small crevice formed over the bridge of her nose.
Was it only the dangers of the trail she was concerned about, or was it the draw of the laudanum too? He brushed his fingertips across her silken hair. “I’m serious about you praying for me. And if LeBeau shows up, tell him his calling days are done.”
“I will.” Her voice firmed.
“You take care of yourself.” His gaze dropped.
Her unkissed lips…inviting as a ripe peach…parted.
His heart pounded. Who knew how long he’d be gone. Surely, it’d be understandable if he gave her one kiss. The letter to Olivia would reach Philadelphia. His betrothal would be over. Surely, one kiss based upon the promise of all of that would be understandable. What if something happened while he was away? What if he didn’t make it back? The war and Andersonville had taught him not to take tomorrow for granted.
Lowering his head, he slipped his hand beneath her hair and drew her mouth to his. “You’re the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Their lips met…sunrise and sunset intertwining and bursting forth in a single moment.
His breath came short and hard as he withdrew his mouth and dipped his forehead to hers. Her chest rose and fell against his. He needed to marry this girl.Dear Lord, let it be. The rest of his life with Cora. He’d said it, and he meant it. He squeezed his eyes shut.
And what of his promise to his father?
Shakespeare sonnets and a half a tea brick in hand, Cora crossed the threshold of the wide open hall to the porch, bracing herself for a barrage of objections.
Arms folded, Charlie stood at the end of the porch. His knife hung from a sheath secured around his waist with a strip of rawhide, as was his custom since the Comanches’ night visit. The boy wasn’t going to make this any easier.
“Good afternoon, Cora, Charlie.” Sporting a fine black frock coat and trousers, Arthur LeBeau crested the top of the steps. His roan American saddlebred waited at the hitching post.
“Afternoon.” She rolled her shoulders, working out the tension.
Arthur’s gaze dropped to her hands. His smile dimmed as he removed his hat. “Either you’re eager to read poetry or?—”
“Ben’s courting my sister.” Charlie gripped the porch post and leaned outward, swinging back and forth. “She don’t need your presents?—”
“Charlie.” Cora jabbed a hand to her hip. “This conversation is for grownups. Get yourself out to the barn and muck out the stalls. Then give Sandy a good brushing.”
The boy’s lips vibrated beneath his hard exhale. “I’ll brush her in the yard.” He scuffed his boot against the porch board.
“Right outside the stable, no closer. Then you’ll muck the stalls.” Not a bad idea to have the boy in sight, but out of hearing distance.
Bracing herself, she turned to Arthur as Charlie stomped off the porch. “I apologize for the boy’s manners.”
A smirk slipped across his lips. “I see Mr. McKenzie has made significant headway in the last few weeks.” He raised an eyebrow. “I was under the impression we had a pleasant afternoon last time I called.”
“We did. It’s just that...we…I…” She held out the gifts to him. “My connection with Mr. McKenzie goes back to my brother Jeb, and my friendship with Ben…Mr. McKenzie…has grown into more.” Did she really need to explain all of this?
“You’re free to keep the gifts.” His voice had stiffened.
“It wouldn’t be proper.” She shoved them his way.
“McKenzie isn’t sophisticated enough to appreciate Shakespeare’s sonnets?” He slipped the book from her fingers.
“Mr. McKenzie is every bit as educated as you.”
Arthur snorted and tapped the book against his leg. “He looks more like a second-rate cowhand to me. And didn’t you tell me his father helped him get the job at the newspaper?”
“I’ll not stand here and listen to you denigrate him.” She pushed the tea into Arthur’s hand.
