“No, thank you.”
Rebecca glanced at Eleanor. This was precisely what she’d been discussing with her sister.
It wasn’t long before they were headed back out of town, the children piled in the back of the wagon. Rebecca turned around to see the buildings growing smaller and smaller behind them. Her heart smarted with the knowledge that she wouldn’t see Eleanor again for a little while. Unless . . .
“Levi,” she said, her voice as bright as the hope that bloomed inside her. “Might we be able to attend church services on Sundays?”
He kept his gaze fixed ahead. “It’s too far to drive for an hour of preaching.”
Rebecca pressed her lips together. There had to be some other way. “I understand. But not necessarily every week. Perhaps once a month? We could combine it with a visit to purchase other necessities.” She held her breath as she watched him. He seemed to be considering it, at least.
Finally, he nodded. “I don’t see why not.”
“Thank you. It would be good for the children.”And us, she thought. She gave him a happy smile and laid a hand on top of his.
Half a moment passed, then he turned and smiled at her. He passed the lines to his left hand and turned his right hand over to lace his fingers through hers.
Reading this man was entirely impossible, Rebecca decided. But when he let down his defenses, he could be utterly charming. She enjoyed the warmth of their gloved hands together as they traveled south alongside the railroad tracks. The childrenchattered happily behind them, and for a moment, Rebecca felt at peace.
“Were you able to accomplish all that you needed in town?” she asked.
“I did. The seed order should arrive in plenty of time for planting.” He turned and glanced back at the children. “I see you found all the books you could possibly need.”
“I did! The teacher was so helpful. She lent us books and slates, and she said she’d be happy to sit down with me anytime to discuss the children’s progress.” Rebecca paused, remembering the one strange thing that had happened while they’d been in town. “Did you hear that gunshot earlier? We were almost to Eleanor’s when we heard it. Emmy started to cry, and Gwynnie had to grab Johnnie to keep him from running back to see what had happened.” She placed a hand over her heart, remembering that moment. “Honestly, it scared me. It sounded so close.”
Levi’s hand tensed on hers before he pulled away and took up the lines in it again. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt. Unfortunately, that sort of thing is to be expected in towns out here.”
“It is?” Her voice squeaked a little, and she was acutely aware the older children might be listening in on their conversation.
“It’s not common,” Levi said, and Rebecca’s fear diminished a little. “Colorado may be a state now, but there’s still a bad element that takes to the mountains.”
Her mind went back to when she’d first come out to the farm. He’d mentioned the wild animals and equally wild men who might be roaming about. Not to mention her imagination was now conjuring men shooting at each other right outside Eleanor’s door.
Rebecca shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. “There is a lawman in Crest Stone, right?”
“There is,” Levi said, his voice guarded.
She glanced up at him, but he kept his gaze focused on the open valley in front of them.
“Good. Did you hear it?”
“The gunshot? Yes.”
Rebecca nodded. She had the strangest sensation that their conversation was now over, that Levi didn’t wish to continue discussing the shot they’d both heard, or how competent Crest Stone’s marshal was.
She turned, her eyes sweeping over the children in the back of the wagon. Each one of them was a piece of her heart, and she’d brought them out here, to this semi-lawless place surrounded by stunning mountain peaks.
Not willing to dwell too long on that thought, she turned her gaze toward the towering Sangre de Cristo mountains off to the west. Covered in snow, they were beautiful and forbidding at the same time. No wonder they drew men intent on ill will. No one in their right mind would seek shelter in their shadows, not when this welcoming valley existed.
She chewed on her lip as the wagon rolled along. Next to her, Levi held the lines in an expert grip. His coat covered him fully, but she could imagine the strength of the muscles in his arms. He wouldn’t be the sort to back down or run away. She knew, deep down in her heart, that he would do everything he could to keep them safe.
And she had to trust in that.
