She ached to reach out to Ridge, to comfort him in some way, to ease the strain she saw in his face. That she had contributed to his torment was more than she could bear.
And now, after a night of loving, a time when she should be contemplating their future together, she sat on a horse, more miserable than she had ever been in her life. Because she knew a future with Ridge was impossible.
Even if she could somehow get past her fear of resuming the life she had given up, she knew she didn’t want to be a homeless vagabond. She wanted a perfectly boring existence. Safety, love and laughter. All within the confines of a nice boring home.
And it wouldn’t be fair to expect that of Ridge. Not when he had finally shed his inhibitions, finally decided to act on his desires and reach out for his dreams. No, she wouldn’t take that from him. She’d already taken too much.
“We need to stop,” Ridge called out from beside her.
Juan Miguel reined his horse in and turned in his saddle to look at Ridge. “We must press on, Senor, if we are to make the doorway by nightfall.”
“We must rest a moment,” Ridge said firmly, his gaze drifting sideways to his brother.
In a moment of understanding, India realized Ridge had stopped because Robby was in need and would not say so.
“I must confess, if I sit astride this horse one moment longer, I may fall over,” she spoke up.
“You two are so transparent,” Robby said with a grumble. He shifted in his saddle and sat up straighter. “I’ll have plenty of time to rest when I die.”
Ridge sucked in his breath at Robby’s dry jest.
Robby raised a brow and quirked his lip. “My saying the obvious won’t change the result, Ridge. The sooner you accept it, the better off you’ll be.”
Ridge shook his head but remained silent.
“Now shall we carry on?” Robby asked, sweeping his hand forward in a grand gesture.
“We really should if we are able,” Juan Miguel said in a low voice.
Ridge nodded and India shrugged her shoulders.
Juan Miguel urged his horse on again, and they began the gradual climb in altitude once more.
By the time evening shadows darkened the terrain, India indeed was growing saddle weary. Still, they continued until the stars twinkled along the skyline and the moon shone high overhead.
Finally, Juan Miguel called a halt, and India slid from her horse. She stood for a moment, leaning against the horse for support until she was sure her legs would support her.
When she walked around the front of her horse, she saw Ridge hovering over Robby. And Robby was not at all happy about it.
“Damn it, Ridge, quit dithering on like Mother. I’m not dead yet and I don’t plan to die for a bit.”
Ridge who had extended a hand to help Robby drew it back and ran it through his hair.
“I’m sorry, Robby. Of course you’re right. I just...well, it’s of no consequence.”
He turned away and his eye caught India. She reached for him mentally, her face twisting with all the sympathy she felt. He walked past her, catching her hand and let it trail over his fingers.
He began collecting sticks and pieces of wood from the ground, piling them in his arms. Soon he had an armful and he returned to where she and the others stood.
“Let me help,” she said, reaching for some of the wood.
“See to Robby,” he said shouldering by her. “Make sure he eats. He’ll take fussing from you better than from me.”
She nodded and reached for the small bag of food in her saddlebag.
“I’ll see to the horse, Senorita,” Juan Miguel said as he led his horse over. He collected the reins from her and led the horses several feet from where Ridge was starting the fire.
She glanced at Robby then eased over to him. “Want to have dinner with me?”
