But the advice was smart, considering the two of them would be alone here. The last thing he wanted was to tarnish Lorelei’s reputation, even among her family and close friends. Nor did he want to plant a question in their minds about whether he’d acted as a gentleman.
Lorelei gave a nod. “I’ll pack food for you to take.”
As the two left the trade room, Tanner set to rights the things the men had sorted through, then peeked once morethrough the front crack. The trappers had gone, leaving only the Sioux village stretching out in the valley below. They no longer came often to the trading post, not even to ogle the calf.
But they didn’t seem like they planned to leave anytime soon either. It must be inconvenient to carry water as far as they had to, and there wouldn’t be grazing for their horses much longer. Surely then they would move on.
He turned and headed toward the courtyard to see if White Horse needed any supplies. After the brave left, maybe Tanner could finally find the chance to broach the subject with Lorelei of him pretending they were married. Even Adams had assumed as much, though Tanner hadn’t realized it until the final farewell.
White Horse was speaking to Lorelei by the gate, a satchel tucked under one arm, and a bow and quiver draped over his shoulder. When Tanner approached, the man turned and raised a hand in farewell. “Kitatama’sino.Until we meet again.”
Tanner raised his own hand in reply. “Kitatama’sino.” White Horse had been teaching him more of the sign language, but he should ask the man to also share words of the Blackfoot tongue. He needed to learn as many languages as he could, and he should take this opportunity to do so.
White Horse’s mouth tipped on one side as he nodded, apparently approving of Tanner’s effort with the word. Tanner couldn’t help his own grin. White Horse had become a good friend these past weeks. The trade room would be lonely without him.
He said he’d be back tomorrow morning. But in this land, nothing was ever quite so certain.
Tanner stood with Lorelei as White Horse approached his stallion, slipped the rawhide strap he used as a bridle around the lower half of its jaw, then slid up onto the animal’s bare back and nudged him forward.
Lorelei raised a hand to wave as she called out, “Be careful.”
White Horse nodded, then nudged his horse into a trot.
They watched until he disappeared over the rise of the hill, then Lorelei turned with a sigh. “We didn’t get to finish wrapping Curly’s hoof.” She glanced at him. “I don’t suppose you have a minute to hold him for me, do you? He’ll become rather contrary without White Horse to keep him steady.”
A weight lifted off his chest at the chance to help her, even with something small. He turned and strolled beside her toward where the calf was licking the pail she used to soak its foot. “You mean he doesn’t obey instantly when you whisper in his ear?”
She rolled her eyes at him, but then a grin tugged her mouth. “Only the littlest ones comply that easily. The older they get, the harder they are to manage. I hear it’s the same with people.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle. A caring heart and a sharp wit. How had no man found a way to woo her yet? If Tanner were good enough for her, he would have already set himself to that challenge.
But she’d seen his many flaws. She would never look twice at him as a suitor. Only her kindness made her accept him as a friend.
The calf mooed as they approached, then trotted to meet Lorelei. He allowed her to rub his head once, then began nuzzling her skirts.
She smiled. “That’s enough, silly.”
He butted harder, seeking out a meal, no doubt, and the effort earned a giggle from her. A pure musical sound that drew Tanner closer. How could he pull that laugh from her again?
She turned to him then, a smile still lighting both her voice and her expression. “If you can stand on his other side and wrap your arms around to hold him, I’ll get a bit more water to wash the hoof before I wrap it.”
He did as she said, and watching her work gave him an excellent chance to look his fill without making her self-conscious.
All too soon, she straightened and gathered her supplies. “The abscess is nearly healed. I think we’ll do this two more days, then be finished.”
“That’s good.” He should find something more intelligent to say.
She started to rise, but Curly wiggled at the same moment, knocking her off-balance. Tanner released the animal and reached to catch her hand.
She gave him a wobbly smile as she stood and brushed her free hand against her skirts. “Thank you.”
The warmth of her palm in his was making his hand sweat and his heart beat faster. In proper society, they should never touch without one or both of them wearing gloves. But out here?
Out here they were dangerously close. It wouldn’t be so bad if she didn’t stare at him with those wide brown eyes, which were as captivating as a doe’s, but not quite holding the same innocence. Her gaze showed not only her sweetness but also her intelligence. This woman possessed bothhead and heart, and the combination had his own head and body in an uproar.
He swallowed to quiet his insides, then forced himself to release her hand.
She didn’t move away, though. Didn’t step back as she should have. He should be the one to put space between them.
