The woman named Dinah thrust the baby into the arms of the large man beside her. Shock struck his expression for a moment before he caught himself and adjusted the infant in his arms. A little awkward, but not as much as most men would be.
Dinah pressed through Sean and Gil, then nearly sprang on Heidi as she wrapped her arms around her. "Oh, it's so wonderful to meet you."
Heidi managed to raise her hands to return the embrace, though it felt like she was experiencing the scene in a dream. When Dinah pulled back, she gripped Heidi's upper arms, her smile as warm as if they'd always been friends. "You must be tired. Did you come from the Salish village? Or have you been traveling much longer?"
She willed her mouth to speak and managed to say, "Virginia City."
Dinah's eyes flared wide. "Oh, you poor dear." She turned and tugged Heidi forward, keeping hold of one arm. "You must be exhausted and cold." Over her shoulder, she spoke to the others. "You boys bring in her things. Lilly, bring the baby inside. Let's help Heidi get settled."
Heidi had no choice but to follow. Honestly, the immediate acceptance eased a load from her shoulders. She sent a quick glance over her shoulder to see Two Stones’s reaction to her leaving him.
He was watching her, his expression too hard to read. Not anger. Not pleasure either. It almost looked like…longing? Certainly not for her. But for what?
Dinah stopped them and looked back too. "Two Stones, come in as soon as you can. We'll help your wife settle in, but she'll want you, too, of course."
He dipped his chin, but Dinah tugged Heidi forward before she could send him any kind of message with her gaze.
The truth was, shedidwant him with her. Though she should be more than capable of managing by herself among these friendly people, his presence gave her courage. She wasn't weak. Nor fearful. If a little of those emotions churned inside her, she wouldn’t let them hold her back.
But Two Stones felt like a partner. They'd endured so much together this past week. Long days in the saddle, fighting the wind and cold, and even the snow. Meeting those two men from Virginia City, then the aftermath, when he'd been her strength, there in the abandoned cabin.
He'd done so much for her. She'd tried to carry her part of the load, cooking and helping as she could. Did he regret tying himself to her yet? Probably he did, but he was too honorable to ever let her know it.
She heaved out a sigh as Dinah led her into the warm cabin. She couldn't let herself linger on thoughts like that. She had tostay focused on what lay ahead. On building the life she wanted for herself.
Surely becoming friends and allies with these women would help toward that end. Yet as she turned to answer Lillian's exuberant question about the length of their journey and what adventures they’d met, her gaze caught on the sleeping face of the precious babe nestled against the girl's shoulder.
How could she think so selfishly with such innocence before her?
Then another sensation slipped in, one that tightened her chest as her feet moved toward the babe of their own accord.
If she held to the arrangement she'd made with Two Stones, would she ever have a child of her own?
As Two Stones stepped into the cabin and paused to let his eyes adjust to the dim interior, his gaze caught on a sight that made his heart beat faster.
Heidi.
She stood with Dinah on one side and Lillian on the other, staring up at the loft where Dinah pointed as she spoke. Did she intend for him and Heidi to sleep up there? Maybe. That was just what he'd come inside to talk over—sleeping arrangements. He needed to know how much of their agreement Heidi wanted him to tell Jericho.
But seeing her there with the little bundle of babe resting on her shoulder stole every clear thought from his mind. She looked radiant. Happy. Such a sweet smile lighting her face. Her chin rested on little Mary Ellen's head as she spoke with Dinah.
She would be such a good mother. He'd thought of that once or twice as she prepared food or anticipated a need on the trailbefore he asked. She was thoughtful, and as she’d finally started to trust him these last few days, her kindness had caught him unexpectedly over and over.
But holding the babe… A longing pressed in his chest, something he'd not allowed himself to even think about since Yellow Mouse refused him. He would have loved to have his own son or daughter—or both. Children he could teach and encourage.
He wouldn't have that, and he could be content with his lot. But Heidi… Was he robbing her of that dream by keeping himself from her? Maybe he should give her the choice again.
Later. When she was settled in the village with his parents and they knew each other better.
He inhaled a deep breath and eased it out as he stepped forward.
Dinah was the first to notice his presence, and she turned with a smile. "Two Stones. I was just asking Heidi if she thought the two of you could be comfortable in the loft. If not, Jericho and I can stay there while you have our room."
Heidi turned to him with wide eyes, shaking her head in an unspoken message of concern. "No. I'm sure the loft will be fine." Even as her eyes questioned him, her words were for Dinah.
He gave her an easy smile. "Yes. The loft will be fine." If Heidi wanted a room alone, he could sleep in the barn or the new bunkhouse with the rest of the men.
"Oh, good." Dinah turned to Lillian. "Will you bring down anything you'll need for the next few days? You can room with Naomi."
