“I wouldn’t think of it. It would be a pleasure to escape the plantation for a little while.” And to be with him.
“I took you to Columbus a couple weeks ago with your aunt.” Thank goodness, he had the grace to not mention the ride she’d had with Nicholas on Saturday.
“Scruffy little clapboard towns don’t compare to the prairies. And I’ve never been hunting in the woods, or a swamp. There’s all kinds of places to explore.” She shifted toward him. Her knee bumped his thigh. She startled and moved to scoot back, half slipping off the wall. A couple of loose crumbles of rock broke off.
He grabbed her shoulder. “Wouldn’t want you to fall.”
A whole foot to the ground from where her feet dangled? But he could leave his hand there as long as he wanted.
Their gazes met. Moonlight shimmered in his eye. Steady jaw. Firm lips.
His hand dropped away, and he settled back against the tree. “I could teach you how to shoot a rifle.”
She pressed her heels against the stone to keep from sliding down. “I don’t know. I’d have a better chance at beating you with a bow and arrow.”
He chuckled. “So it’s a competition?”
She bit her lip and clasped her hands in her lap. “You can teach me to shoot.” Much cozier.
The breeze caught a strand of hair and dangled it across her eyes. She blinked and lifted her hand, but Devon was quicker. With the slightest touch of a knuckle, he nudged it from her face.
Her lips parted.
His gaze dipped to them before quickly darting away. “A rifle it will be, then, but there’s also the matter of your uncle.”
“My uncle.”
“After my confession about Lucy, he’s convinced I’m a scoundrel. He might not allow me to take you away from the perimeter of the house without a chaperone.”
“I could sneak out. Make up a story.”
“I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
“You’ve caused me trouble ever since I met you.” But she couldn’t hide the warmth that crept into her voice. “Some things are worth trouble.” Oh, my goodness. She might as well just lay herself at his feet, the way she was talking. She’d done so well at dinner with holding her tongue, but now…
“I think you’re plenty trouble too.” He smiled. “Taa Aruka.”Morning Fawn.
Her heart fluttered. “How do you know how to say my name in Comanche?”
“I’d rather not remind you of how I know.”
The kidnapping. Her stomach knotted, at war with her heart. But he regretted his actions and changed his life. Volunteered to fight. Probably lost sight in his eye because of it.
He exhaled and fumbled with his hat in his lap.
She bit her lip. “I still like it when you say it.” Oh my goodness. She squeezed her eyes shut. Couldn’t she shut her mouth as well? She shivered.
“Are you cold?” He reached for her hand and tucked it inside the crook of his arm once more, pressing it to his side and laying his hand over hers.
She should have worn gloves. Her aunt had scolded her many times about that. But the feel of Devon’s rough, callused palm suited her just fine.
She leaned against the oak and looked to the heavens. If only she could freeze this moment in time. She’d searched solong for the place where she belonged. What if it was at the side of this man? “Tell me more about the stars.”
Devon leaned back as well. “‘He healeth those that arebroken in heart, and bindeth up their sores. Hecounteth the number of the stars,andcalleth them all by their names. Greatisour Lord, and greatis hispower: his wisdom is infinite.’”
“What is that?”
“It’s from the Bible. Psalms 147. Talks about how the Lord heals the brokenhearted.”
