Page 51 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
Just as she enjoyed his.
How could she let her thoughts go in that direction? She had to return to Toledo. She had to make sure Ma was in a safe, secure place where she would be well cared for. She had to join Sadie on a trip to Europe.
Why was she having to remind herself of these facts so often?
“We watched from the valley below.” Andy pointed to the green slope in the distance.
Della dismissed her mental wrangling to listen to him.
“We only saw it because Pa was commenting on the way the clouds floated over the mountaintops. He was saying how much Ma enjoyed seeing that. Said she called it a minuet. At that very minute, we watched the bank peel away and roll down the mountainside. It stopped in a billow of dust. A few seconds later, we heard the sound. Sort of a whoof.”
She imagined it all and sighed. “I would love to see it happen.”
“You might if you hang around long enough.”
It sounded like an invitation. Like he wanted her to stay. She closed her eyes and took slow, steady breaths. If only…
But no. Such thoughts weren’t allowed. She would not go back on her word to Pa.
13
Andy closed his eyes and groaned. What was he thinking to suggest she stay longer?
“Della, don’t worry. I’m going to get you to the train and back home to your mother as soon as possible.” Was it wrong to hope the trestle repair would take longer than anticipated?
He groaned again. Just because he’d enjoyed the morning with her, showing her the views that filled him with awe and wonder, was no reason to wish he could show her all the wonderful vistas. That would take a lifetime.
In order to reassure her that he was serious, he proceeded to tell her about his own plans. “I like to go away by myself and explore. Last fall, I went up the path.” He pointed to their left where she’d said she wished to investigate. “It’s a hard climb. I didn’t make it to the top. I came to a sheer cliff that would require mountain climbing equipment.”
“It sounds exciting.”
“There is a sense of accomplishment at achieving new heights. Two winters ago, I spent a month in the line cabin to the west. I wanted to see if I could survive the snow and cold.”
She glanced at him and waggled her eyebrows. “’Pears you did.”
“Yup. You want to hear a secret?”
“Sure.”
“Promise you won’t tell anyone?”
She nodded. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
He leaned close to whisper in her ear, “The worst part was I missed my interfering brothers.”
“You did?”
“There was no one to argue with.” He nodded solemnly.
She hooted. “If only they knew.”
“You promised you wouldn’t tell.”
“So, I did. And I keep my promises.” Amusement fled, replaced with a determination that drew her mouth down, and dulled the color of her irises.
He wished he could take the words back and return the sunshine to her eyes. He wanted to pull her into his arms. Kiss her and make her forget whatever troubled her. But he’d promised he wouldn’t kiss her again. Instead, he took her hand and began to guide her down the steep slope.
The shale slipped beneath their feet, and they went out from under her. She fell to her bottom and slid into him, sending him perilously close to the edge of the ledge. He struggled to gain footing and balance.
