A grin stretched Daniel’s lips as a breeze ruffled his hair. Keturah’s spirit had sure come out when she thought he was not interested. Her attitude had hinted at a fire within that burned as brightly as her flaming auburn locks. And he found it both refreshing and intriguing.
“Time for supper, son.” James gripped his shoulder as he passed, and Daniel’s stomach churned. He was uncertain if he could keep a meal down at the moment, no matter how hungry he was. Still, he followed James toward the man’s home, the tension in his bodyincreasing with each step. Would he be rejected and left behind once again?
Daniel swallowed as James opened the door. Crossing over the threshold, Daniel scanned the room, his gaze landing on Keturah where she stood by the fire. Immediately, she turned in his direction, and a smile brightened her face. Praying her reaction was a good sign, Daniel glanced toward James and Mary. “Mrs. Skaggs, I am quite sure you have prepared another delicious meal, but I was hoping I could have a moment with Keturah before we partake.”
The middle-aged woman gave him a knowing smile that crinkled the edges of her dark eyes. “Of course. Just do not be long.”
Keturah moved gracefully and confidently across the room and slipped her hand into the crook of his arm when he offered it, though her eyes held a hint of the fear that coiled deep within him. The night air was a refreshing and welcome change as they stepped outside, the last bit of color having slipped from the sky.
Silence stretched between them in an agonizing torture, so Daniel filled it with the first thought that came to mind. “I find the air most pleasant tonight. How about you?”
Keturah glanced up at him with a brow raised and one corner of her mouth quirked up. “Aye. ’Tis nice.”
Daniel fished for more words. “Our hunt was successful as well. James brought in a deer.”
“Aye. Always a blessin’.”
Daniel almost groaned as the silence returned. While the conversation was not going well, he could not bring himself to utter the words that would change his life, for better or worse. Above them, stars speckled the now partially clear sky. He should return Keturah to the cabin before she caught a chill. But that meant confronting the inevitable.
Swallowing his fears, he stopped and turned toward her. Her pale, freckled face shone brightly in the dark night as she looked expectantly up at him, that little smile still tugging at the edges of her mouth. “Daniel, are ye goin’ to ask the question on yer mind?”
His mouth dropped open before he recovered his senses and a laugh escaped. This woman was quite the breath of fresh air. He sucked in a breath of his own and forced the words from his mouth. “Keturah, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
The little smile stretched into a broad grin, easing the tension in his middle. “Aye. If ye will have me.” Her head dipped in a nod.
All the air left his lungs. Keturah was inquiring if he would accepther? With all her beauty and spirit? As confident and capable as she appeared? When had anyone ever asked for his acceptance, instead of the other way around? “Of course.” The words rushed out.
The radiant joy reflected upon Keturah’s countenance was enoughto make any male swoon. And not only that, but her entire being relaxed, as though she had felt a taste of the same turmoil as he.
He smiled down at her as he turned and offered his arm again. “Miss Elliot, may I have the pleasure of escorting you back to the Skaggs’s residence? Perhaps they can aid us in establishing the details of when and where we are to wed.”
Soft laughter drifted to him on the night air as Keturah wrapped her hand around his arm a tad tighter than before. “Aye. I am sure they shall.” Warmth seeped through Daniel as he slipped his right hand atop hers, relishing in the feel of her skin against his. Could this truly be happening? It seemed impossible that he was walking with the woman who would become his wife, that he would make a life with. Finally, his dream of a loving family seemed within his grasp.
CHAPTER 4
May 18, 1782
“Careful.” Keturah grimaced and reached out to her husband as he slipped on the muddy embankment behind her. The creek they were about to cross was shallow, but the hillsides flanking it were covered in rocks and boulders. Daniel caught himself on one such gray boulder and returned to an upright position before she could latch onto his arm. Behind her, Cinnamon carefully picked her way down to the water’s edge. Scamper had already traveled the path and lapped at the crystal-clear water near Keturah’s feet. Satisfied that everyone was well, Keturah turned and sloshed through the cool liquid and started picking her way up the far bank.
Thankfully, they were nearly home. Even with a horse, travel had taken longer with the addition of hercompanions, and the golden sunlight of later afternoon slanted down through the canopies of the trees. But this was the last rise before they reached the valley where the cabin lay. If she could safely escort her new family members up this steep path and over the hill, they would be free to settle into their new surroundings. And their new relationship.
A tingle of both apprehension and anticipation rose up Keturah’s spine as she considered what the night might hold for her and Daniel. Their wedding had been a simple ceremony at the home of a reverend near the station that morning. Warmth spread through her cheeks as she considered the kiss they had shared at its closure. Though timid at first, the gesture had been much sweeter and more enticing than anything she had ever imagined. But, much to her relief, Daniel had not pressed her for any kind of physical contact since. Sure, he would place a hand at her elbow or the small of her back. Their connection had remained rather comfortable and casual. But how long would that last? Considering her husband wanted a marriage in every way, would he be patient enough to allow love to grow slowly between them?
Forgetting to watch her step, she stepped on a slick, exposed root, and her ankle twisted as her foot slipped free. She hissed in pain, then continued on, being sure to pay more attention to her surroundings.
But Daniel was at her side in a flash, his touch warm on her arm through the thin fabric of her bodice. “Areyou hurt?” His dark brows were lowered over stormy brown eyes.
Keturah smiled, his concern touching, if a bit amusing. Never had anyone she knew worried over such a small matter. “Nay. I am well,” she assured him. Though there was a twinge in her ankle with each step, it was nothing she could not ignore. She had endured much worse. And on the Kentucky frontier, a person had to keep pushing on. In fact, only a few months prior, she had stitched up her own hand after an incident in the kitchen. And removed the same stitches herself a week later. This slip of a step would not cause a moment’s hesitation on her part.
“If you are sure.” Daniel seemed hesitant to release his grip on her arm.
“I am,” she reiterated before turning back the direction they were headed. Scamper scurried ahead of her, up the hillside.
“What are those?”
Keturah closed her eyes and took a deep breath, forcing her fingers to relax around Cinnamon’s reins before she turned her attention to Daniel. With the mare laden down with his plentiful belongings, her husband had been unable to safely ride double. After putting his heel in the mare’s flank for the third time, and subsequently falling off her rear when she bolted forward, he had kindly offered to walk. And at times such as this, when the trail had become too steep, Keturah herself had dismounted and led the animal.
She followed the direction of Daniel’s pointing finger to where little white flowers dotted the hillside, nearly hidden amongst the other greenery. “That is foamflower.” Keturah attempted to keep her voice calm as she replied.
