Page 68 of Conveniently Wed
He went hot and then cold. Surprised that she brought it up. He steeled his features. Squinted into the sun pretending to watch the herd. “I don’t like to talk about it. But I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”
He could practically hear his ma blasting his ears for not apologizing the right way. “I’m sorry,” he choked out.
He chanced a look at her. Her clear, assessing gaze had him shifting in his saddle, and the animal beneath him scooted to one side, probably wondering what burr Edgar had got under his caboose.
His little wife did tend to get under his skin.
“Let’s just leave it be, all right?”
She nodded, but he still felt like her eyes saw too much.
Was this what a real marriage was like? Someone else knowing the dark parts about you? It was uncomfortable.
But also…
Now that she knew, now that the secret was out there, there was a relief in not being forced to hide it anymore.
They rode quietly together over the next hill, and the town of Tuck’s Station came into view, nestled in the valley. Close enough almost to touch.
Finally.
“Stay close,” he said as he idly scanned their surroundings. Arriving from this direction afforded him a nice view, something he’d been counting on.
No one in sight, except those that looked to be working around town. The town wasn’t any bigger than Bear Creek, and the goings-on looked to be normal. Someone loading a wagon near the livery; a couple of people passing on the boardwalk. The saloon was quiet, but it wasn’t late enough in the day yet for it to be busy.
The holding pens at the train station were empty, which was a surprise. He’d expected to see some activity there. It mightbe nothing, or it might be something. The agent in Bear Creek had said the train was running, and he had to get the cattle to Cheyenne.
“Do you…expect trouble?” Fran glanced over her shoulder toward the wagon.
He’d told Seb to keep it close to the herd, even if it meant his brother and Emma would be eating trail dust. So far everything had gone according to his plan.
“Don’t know. John tried to track the men following us earlier today and it seemed like they just disappeared. So we want to be prepared for anything.”
He saw her swallow, her neck slender beneath the hat and disappearing into the neckline of one of Seb’s second-choice shirts.
Then he had to swallow hard and avert his eyes, and those wayward thoughts.
Someone might be following them. Or in front of them. Right. Focus on possible danger. Not his enchanting wife.
“We’re going to push the cattle right into the holding pens over there at the rail station.” He pointed to the fenced area to one side of town. “Should be able to send the cattle in with no issues.”
The pens were out in the open. No cover, except for the train station. Nowhere for men to hide if they were after Emma.
“By the time the cattle are penned, the cowboys will circle around to flank the wagon and we’ll have enough men to watch out for Emma—and you, until I can get things settled with the ticket agent.”
This time when she looked at him, her eyes were moist.
“What?” he asked. A little gruffly, because he wasn’t sure what had her upset now.
She shook her head slightly. “Just…thank you. For getting us this far.”
Her gratitude had him shifting uncomfortably again. What had he done, exactly, other than saved Emma from the rushing water? Put Fran to work, that’s what. And she was thanking him. It rubbed him wrong, somehow.
His horse neighed, telling him exactly what it thought of Edgar’s discomfort.
“All right, old boy,” he said to it, settling in his saddle.
He nodded to Fran. “Let’s get them in. Stay close to me.”
