Page 40 of A Rugged Beauty
"You're the one who said we're too different," she reminded him stiffly. "And that hasn't changed. Leave me alone."
She walked briskly toward camp, blinded by tears. It wasn't enough that her brothers had found love? Why did she have to come face to face with the proof that she'd made a huge mistake?
She'd believed love was bigger than the elements of their lives that separated them. She came from poverty, while he had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Their relationship had been secret for months. And hadn’t survived when her brothers had been dismissed from Braddock’s powder mill.
The dreams she’d had of being Braddock’s wife, of home and love and babies had died. All of them.
She didn't look over her shoulder to the man she left behind.
There was no reason to look back. Nothing left for them to say.
Riding double, it wasn't long before the wagons came into sight. The white covers stood out against the sea of dry prairie grasses, and Abigail’s eyes filled with grateful tears.
She had her hands on Hollis's waist. August had given up his horse for them to use while he rode double with Gerry Bones. Owen rode out front. She'd seen the troubled look he wore when Hollis had blurted out that she was his wife.
With her memories back, Abigail remembered the wagon master who'd driven himself to the brink of exhaustion pushing the wagon train west. Who'd hidden the continued pain and weakness from the head injury he'd received when the twister had come through weeks ago.
Hollis hated to show weakness.
When his memories returned, he would be angry with himself for what he'd revealed to the four men who'd made up the search party.
Hollis's posture atop the horse filled with more and more tension as they approached the caravan.
"You all right?" she asked.
She thought she heard him whisper, "Ten lost," but couldn't be sure.
Owen reined in near a group of several horses picketed outside the circle of wagons. Only a few seconds later, he held the bridle as Hollis hooked one arm around Abigail to let her down. She couldn't help one last look at the man who'd kept her safe these past days. Hollis sat tall and strong in the saddle. Capable and handsome.
He'd held her, protected her with his own body. Shared himself with her.
And now all of that was over.
She clutched August's blanket closer around her shoulders. Nearby, the camp bustled with activity and movement. For a moment, she felt separated, out of place.
August appeared at her side. "We've got two other search parties ranging the prairie. They're supposed to check in at the noon hour.”
She nodded. No doubt the caravan would need to move on soon.
"Owen wants to grab Leo for a captains’ meeting. To figure out what to do next."
When she glanced at August, his eyes were on Owen and Hollis, feet away and, from the looks of it, having a serious conversation.
She and August had only met after the company left Independence. They had been acquaintances for weeks, until they’d bonded over worry for their wagon master, who’d been found with a head injury after the twister.
"He'll need a friend by his side, once his memories return." She murmured the words as she hugged the blanket tighter around her. "It could happen at any moment."
August's mouth pulled in a frown. "It's a shame it couldn't have happened before we found you."
She knew he meant before Hollis had told everyone what he had.
August's gaze held compassion. "Folks'll want to see the two of you. Everyone’s been worried. I'd keep to yourself for as long as you can."
So Hollis can’t spread more untruths. She heard the words he didn’t say. It was sound advice.
Hollis and Owen walked ahead, while August stayed to speak to the cowpoke and care for their horses. Abigail trailed the two men.
As they passed through the wagons, Owen spoke to a woman—Felicity.
