A twinkling canopy of lights lit the heavens.
“You can see even more in Palo Duro or the Llano Escatado.” She clutched her shawl. The memory hitched her heart. The closest thing she had to a real home, and here she was half smitten with the man who’d taken her away from it all.
He dropped his gaze, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m sorry.”
So much gentler now than the first time he’d spoken to her. “About what?” How could this be the same man who’d stuck a gag in her mouth and jerked her hands behind her back?
“Taking you from your home. The rough treatment.Everything.” He shifted his arm from her touch and stuffed his hands into his pockets.
She had sworn at him. Called him a weasel warrior, a dog, and worse. Now, different words came out of her mouth. “You had your reasons.” She glanced down at his boots. He’d protected her from the others. Given her as much kindness as he could without allowing her to escape. And goodness knows, she’d tried several times. Almost got them killed.
“Land and avoiding conscription.” He exhaled and shoved his fingers through his hair. “Plus, I figured I was helping you.”
Helping her? Yes, most people would see it that way. The truth bubbled out. “I was so angry at first, I could have put a knife in you if I’d had one. Later, I decided my uncle was the real devil, and you were just a hired bandit.”
He winced. “And now? Or do I even want to know?”
Now? Her heart swelled with admiration and respect. “I think differently.” She pulled her shawl snug and swayed a step closer. “I saw what you did for Lucy. And I haven’t forgotten those two empty nail holes in my window sill.” Her voice lilted.
“So you do remember.” The tension drained from his face.
She’d best change the subject before every thought spilled from her head. Land. “You said you needed money for land? Did your stepfather take away your inheritance?” The question was out before she could stop it.
His eyebrows arched. “You’d better watch out, or Pinkerton will come draft you into his service.”
“Who’s Pinkerton?”
“Runs a detective agency up North. I hear he’s the best.”
She blinked wide. Interesting that he’d come up with such an example.
“What?” He shot her a puzzled look.
She scrambled for a reply. “I was wondering… You considered paying for a substitute to avoid conscription yet volunteered in the end? Even though you disapprove of slavery?”
“Shhhh.” He placed his finger to his lips. “Not a sentiment to spread far and wide.”
“I’d never say anything to endanger you,” she whispered. There she went again, sounding like some maiden who’d never been out of a tipi before.
He scuffed his boot against the dirt. “I enlisted because I care about Texas. I figured it wasn’t right of me to avoid the fight while so many were giving their all.” He cleared his throat. “And after I’d hauled you to Fort Belknap against your will, you fighting me every mile of the way, I decided I’d had enough of hiring out as a scout.”
“You quit because of me?”
He shrugged.
“Maybe I was too tough to handle?”
The corners of his mouth lifted. “I don’t shy away from challenges.” His tone lightened, but his eye spoke something different. Regret? Guilt? Was that the reason he was here walking with her now? Was he merely making amends?
Silence dropped around them. She fiddled with the fringe on her shawl, softer but similar to the fringe of the doeskin blouse she used to wear.
Devon scrubbed his hand over his bearded jaw. “I didn’t intend to bring all of this up tonight. But I want you to know that sooner or later, I’ll get you out of here if that’s what you want. You don’t have to put up with Moyer for a piece of land.”
“But what if I like the idea of owning land?”
He bristled. “I reckon you already have won a horse. The land shouldn’t be far behind.”
Her stupid mouth, only speaking half a thought. “The way menfolk behave, I’d almost rather be a spinster and have the land all to myself to do as I please.”
