Twenty-Seven
As they all began the tasks required to set up camp, settle the horses, and prepare a meal, not even Dragoon’s sour mood could pull Riley’s focus from what he planned to say to Juniper. Maybe it was too soon to speak with her, but now that he’d set his mind to it, he had to ask.
Had to know her answer.
If she said no, how much harder would that make the rest of their journey? Tense, perhaps, but he would be a bundle of nerves by tomorrow if he didn’t settle this tonight.
Getting her alone long enough to ask would be a challenge, but maybe he could find a reason to walk with her after the evening meal. Or maybe he wouldn’t look for an excuse.
He could simply invite her to stroll with him. The request would raise brows, but it might give her an inkling of his intention. Just so his question didn’t shock her.
He didn’t manage to eat much of the meal, and of course, Juniper noticed in her usual attentive and caring manner. Asshe began gathering used dishes, she frowned at the meat left on his plate. “Is your arm paining you a great deal?”
He shook his head. “I barely feel it.” He glanced at the stack in her hands. “Are you taking those down to the creek to wash them? I’ll come with you.” He hadn’t exactly asked for a courting stroll, but this opportunity presented itself too easily.
Concern marked her features, and she hesitated. “I guess you can walk with me.”
That didn’t sound very eager. His question might be doomed long before he asked it.
While she turned to tell Rosemary where they were headed, he scooped up the pot the women used to heat the food and piled the dirty cups inside it. When they’d gathered everything, he hoisted the pot in his good arm and a stack of plates in the other.
She reached for the latter. “I’ll take those. You don’t want to use that arm or it’ll start bleeding again.”
He gave her a smile instead of the dishes. “That bandage you put on will keep it safe.”
Hopefully the scowl she sent him was in jest and he hadn’t actually angered her.
As they left camp, he could feel the others’ gazes following them. Did everyone else realize this was more than a stroll to the creek to wash dishes? He needed to prepare himself. To shore up his defenses in case Juniper said no.
With the light of the campfire fading behind them, he could finally see the stars overhead and hear the evening sounds, especially the crickets that chirped nearly all night long through the summer months.
Beside him, Juniper released a breath that felt full oftension. Hopefully that meant she was letting the tightness flow out of her body. If he didn’t have his hands full, he might have reached over and woven his fingers through hers.
She looked over at him, and the moonlight cast a glow on her sweet smile. “I was just thinking how much has happened today. There’s certainly not a dull moment on the trail, is there?”
He returned the smile. “There can be quiet times, especially in the winter. But you learn to expect surprises.” Maybe this was his opening. “What do you think of this land now that you’ve been here a few weeks? Do you like it?”
Her countenance lifted, removing the shadows from her eyes. “It’s beautiful. I completely understand how these mountains and the open country can weave through your heart.”
Now was his moment. He gathered a breath for courage. “And has this land found a special place in you? Would you like to stay here? With me?” He was such a coward. He’d meant to tell her how much he loved her. How the thought of living without her was becoming something he could no longer stand. How special she was.
Hehadto say those things. Especially since her expression was so difficult to read right now.
“I mean...” He cleared the rasp from his throat. If only he didn’t have all these dishes in his arms. He couldn’t even take her hand and make this romantic. “What I meant to ask is if you would consider marrying me. I hadn’t planned to ever marry. But then you came along, and you’re so ... special. So beautiful and wise and caring and...”
He still couldn’t read her expression, and the weightpressed harder in his chest. “But I understand if you’d rather not. It’s a lot to ask, living in this mountain wilderness. The winters are hard and there’s always some kind of danger around. I would spend my life protecting and loving you, but I couldn’t promise...” Well, he couldn’t promise much.
“Riley.” Her voice came out so softly, yet it made his entire body freeze.
“Yes?”
She touched his arm. “Any woman would be honored by what you just asked. This country might be wild and a bit dangerous, but it’s so beautiful, I can’t imagine anyone not falling in love with this place. Not falling in love with you.”
His chest tightened so hard he wanted to reach up and press a hand to the spot. Her words were right, but something in her tone told him exactly what he’d known all along.
He wasn’t enough to hold her. She would be leaving him when she finished the mission she’d come for.
He had to fight to keep from moving away from her touch. Had to work to focus on her words as she continued speaking.
