A weight pressed in her chest for the image of the half-grown lad that formed in her mind. Struggling to grow up without the guidance of a man to help him through those challenging days. He must have had someone else to teach him.
Or maybe it was his mother who’d helped him. If so, she’d done an excellent job, from what Juniper had seen so far. And perhaps that accounted for why he was so protective of them, if he’d been the man of the house from such an early age, caring for and protecting his mother.
His actions back when they’d first met him now made sense, there at the boulders on the hill when he’d reprimanded Lorelei for chasing after a coyote pup.
Through this new perspective, she could see where they hadn’t made things easier for him, leaving their lodge severaltimes when he’d warned them to stay inside. Refusing food unless they could pay for it. Even allowing Lorelei to keep that coyote pup.
But there was another view of the situation that he would also have to understand, the reality that she and her sisters lived under. Perhaps it was time to be candid and create a clear understanding between them all.
She turned fully to him. “Mr. Turner, I can only imagine how hard those years must have been, for you and your mother both. I’m sure you were a great help and solace to her. And I think I understand a little better now why you’re assisting us. We’re grateful for what you’ve done so far and for agreeing to sell us food and guide us to the Gros Ventre camp. I think it will be beneficial for you to understand a few things about us too.”
Juniper snuck a glance at Rosemary. How much should she tell? Only the most critical facts. “Our mother passed a few years ago, and our father died only months ago. We are four unmarried women on our own. But we’re not incapable. Each of us carries weapons and has been well trained in how to use them. When we planned this trip, we discussed all the dangers inherent in women traveling alone into a wilderness such as this. We made rules for ourselves for our own protection. One of those is that we won’t accept gifts or charity from any man for any reason, lest he think he has control over us or that we are beholden to him. Therefore, we will always insist on paying for any food or supplies we accept from you.”
Hopefully that explanation had helped this next detail become abundantly clear to him. “Because of this, we will need to compensate you for your help as our guide andinterpreter. We can pay with cash or provide a service for you.”
As she spoke those last words, Riley’s eyes narrowed.
“We could cook your meals, perhaps?” she continued. “If not, we wish to render payment.”
He glanced at her. “Cook our meals?” More than a bit of surprise sounded in his voice, and he glanced over his shoulder at Mr. Dragoon. “We all take turns keeping camp. It’s not hard to throw some meat on a rock to sizzle by the flame.”
She leveled him with a look. Had he heard nothing she said? He really seemed smarter than that. “That was just a suggestion. If there’s no other service we can provide you in trade, we’ll insist on paying you.”
He jerked at her words, and one brow raised above his scrutinizing gaze. As she replayed her comment in her mind, what he must have heard became far too clear. Byservice, he must think she meant...
No!Heat flooded through her.
Luckily, Rosemary wasn’t too shocked and embarrassed to speak, as she was. “Upstanding services, she means. Things suitable for moral women.”
Rosie’s explanation only increased the pure mortification overwhelming Juniper. She pressed a hand to her face, covering her eyes.
Had she really just insinuated they would tradethat? She could never again look Riley Turner in the eye. It took long moments of breathing in and out before she could force herself to part her fingers and see his reaction. What must he think of her? She peered his direction, keeping her hand plastered over her burning cheeks as she peeked through her fingers.
He stared straight ahead, as though he realized looking at her would worsen her embarrassment, if that were possible. But he also seemed to be fighting a grin—and mostly l osing.
When he spoke, his voice definitely held a tinge of humor. “Thank you for clearing that up.”
Did that mean he’d actually believed they might be women of questionable virtue? That thought sent a new flood of warmth, and the burning inside was beginning to affect her breathing. But surely not. He’d behaved too well-manneredly to think so ill of her and her sisters.
Still, if she was ever to collect the scattered pieces of her control, she had to put space between them. She tightened her reins enough to guide her mare to the other side of Rosie’s. “I’ll just move over here and keep quiet now.”
Rosie rolled her eyes but settled into her new position between them. Juniper didn’t have the nerve to look Riley’s way again, and certainly not to glance behind and see what her other sisters and Mr. Dragoon thought of her faux pas.
Thankfully, Rosemary kept the conversation moving in a more businesslike direction. “What is an appropriate payment for your services as guide and interpreter, Mr. Turner?” She turned back to the man now riding immediately behind Juniper. “And for your time today, Mr. Dragoon? I’m sure our journey tomorrow won’t warrant another interruption of your work. I suspect you have a great many things to see to during the rendezvous, but we thank you for your generous efforts taking us today.”
“Of course, ma’am.” Mr. Dragoon seemed to fully comprehend that he’d been released from any further obligation to help them.
Rosemary turned back to Riley, an expectant expression on her face.
“I suppose cooking our meals might be a fair trade,” he said. “While we’re in camp at least. We can pack cold provisions to take with us when we ride up to the Gros Ventre.”
Did Rosemary also question whether that was enough to exchange for his help? It didn’t seem so, not when he was leaving his own business to see to theirs. But perhaps if they allowed him to finish his trading this afternoon, they wouldn’t be imposing overmuch on his work.
She could leave that up to Rosie to decide. And since her sister didn’t speak again until they reached the herd of horses where they would unsaddle and hobble their own, it sounded as though the agreement had been set.
Though the heat still flaming her neck meant it’d be easier to never face Riley Turner again, she’d have to be fully recovered and in control of herself by tomorrow morning, an hour after first light.
Eight
