Page 66 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
His arm came up and pulled her closer, close enough he was able to find her lips and give her a lingering kiss that drove away the ice in her limbs.
Afraid she would injure him further with the weight of her body, she settled back on her heels.
“What happened?” His voice was harsh, sending icicles through her veins, driving away all but the remnants of the effects of his kiss.
“Riley showed up. I think he shot the man.” What if in her rush to reach Andy’s side, she’d been mistaken? She glanced over her shoulder. Snow pelted against her face. But she made out Riley bent over a dark shape. Safe for now, she turned back to Andy. “He shot you.” Her voice carried harsh anger and agonizing worry over Andy’s condition.
“Just grazed my arm.” He sat up and reached for her hand. “He didn’t touch you, did he?”
“No. Thanks to you. I will forever be grateful.” A lump the size of a train filled her throat making her words fractured.
Riley moved to them. He squatted at Andy’s side. “Are you hurt, little brother?” He seemed to have encountered the same off-track train to block his throat causing his words to grate out.
“Just a flesh wound, I think. How did you happen to be here?”
“I saw something move past my window. Thought I should check. He’s dead. That wasn’t what I intended, but he moved as I fired.”
Della held back the words rushing to her brain, knowing her pa would scold her for what she thought. But it was a relief to know Mr. Hartman would never again be a threat to her.
“Let’s get back to the house.” Riley rose and offered Andy a hand up.
“I’m not so hurt I need coddling.”
But Della clung to his arm until they were safely inside. He didn’t protest when she and Riley guided him to a chair where she helped him out of his blood-stained coat. The sleeve of his shirt was red, and the stain expanding. She looked at Riley and Mrs. Bennet silently seeking guidance.
The wound oozed. Mrs. Bennet bent over to examine it.
“Nothing serious. I’ve seen worse wounds when you’re working with the horses.” She pressed a clean cloth to it.
Della’s knees turned to water. The room spun. Riley shoved a chair under her.
Her vision cleared. At least enough to focus on Andy. “You gave me such a scare. If—” It would have been her fault. She shook her head. Her throat was clogged with tears, and she couldn’t continue.
He smiled, his gaze holding hers, so she was unable to duck away. “I appreciate your concern.” His eyes dipped to her lips, and she knew he meant how she’d kissed him… how he’d kissed her.
Was it possible everyone would put her burning cheeks down to reaction to Andy’s injury?
* * *
Andy wouldn’t confessthat the wound stung like a dozen hornet bites. He would gladly endure the pain if it was responsible for Della rushing to his side, covering his face with kisses.
The heightened color in her cheeks brought a chuckle from his mouth.
Riley patted Andy’s shoulder, the jarring reminding him he’d been shot. Not that he’d likely ever forget. Though it wasn’t the jolt of the bullet grazing his arm he’d never erase from his memory. It was seeing that dreadful man trapping Della against the wall. His heart had ripped from its moorings. It still struggled to return to where it belonged.
“I need to let Olivia know that all is well. I’ll get the twins to help me with the body. As soon as the snow lets up, I’ll see that someone carries it to town and sends a wire to the marshal to let him know what’s happened.” Riley hastened from the house.
Mrs. Bennet said something about having other things to do and stepped from the room, leaving Andy and Della alone.
He touched her cheek. “I’m glad you’re all right.” Would she hear how his words came from deep, deep inside from the very bottom of his heart.
Her fingers came to his face. “I thought—” She swallowed audibly. “When I saw you on the ground—” Her head rocked back and forth.
He curled his finger under her chin to stop the restless movement and tipped her head up.
She peeked at him through her lashes.
“Della.” He waited until she lifted her eyes to his. “I would give my life to save you.” Without a moment’s consideration.
