Page 24 of Chloe's Christmas Escape
“No. No. We’re still in Illinois. We’ll be going to Sterling, Illinois.”
Jackson surveyed the landscape, then looked at the driver. “I don’t want to stay here too long.”
“We’ll head out now.”
It felt like this might just be the longest trip of his life, and now anyone who boarded the stage would be under scrutiny. Even the drivers weren’t above suspicion.
How had that man found Chloe? Was it just by chance?Jackson didn’t like it at all. He was sure there would be a wire for him when they finally reached Omaha, but that felt like a long time from now.
It was a fairly easy ride the rest of the way to Sterling, Illinois. Once they arrived, the women disembarked, stretching, and scattering towards the relay station. Inside the smoky station, they could all pick up some food and use the facilities while the horses were being switched out. Jackson headed for the new driver, who was a short older man with wild eyes and weathered skin.
“Owens.” The driver introduced himself. “We are not making any other stops between here and Iowa City. The marshal here has told me I’m not allowed to make any stops until then. And from there until Omaha. You in some kind of trouble?”
“Not me. I prefer to avoid trouble if I can.” He saw Chloe coming back with a basket in her hand.
“They had ham and chicken sandwiches. Which would you prefer?”
“You pick. I’ll take the other.”
The driver moved around to the back of the coach. “I’m going to climb up there. We’ll pull out in a few minutes.”
“I’ll ride up there with you, if you don’t mind,” Jackson said, taking a sandwich from Chloe.
The driver shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
“You aren’t going to sit with us?”
Jackson turned and looked at his wife. Her eyes were wide, and she was working her bottom lip again. This time, he couldn’t help himself. Reaching up, he cupped her cheek and used his thumb to pull her lip from between her teeth.
“I’m going to leave you ladies with the extra space. You’ll all rest better and have room to work on your needlepoint.”
“Jackson...”
He bent his head and brushed his soft lips against her swollen mouth. He wanted to kiss her longer, but this wasn’t the time or place. Reluctantly, he released her. “I’ll be up top, where I can keep an eye out for any trouble,” he whispered. “And don’t worry, I won’t let anyone hurt you. Never.”
He stretched his arm around her and opened the door to the coach, letting Mrs. Cross and her daughter climb in. After one more tender kiss, he ensured Chloe was settled before pushing the door shut. He clambered up to the top of the stagecoach and settled himself next to the driver.
“You sure you want to be up here?” Owens asked.
“Yeah.”
“I don’t talk a lot.”
“That’s fine with me. I’d prefer not to carry on a conversation,” Jackson affirmed.
He thought of Chloe in the carriage with Mrs. Cross and her daughter. Although he wished to be with his wife, he harbored an aversion towards answering questions in front of unfamiliar individuals. And although the judge’s wife appeared nice enough, she was very inquisitive. If he was going to leave his position as marshal, it would be his choice, not because someone’s wife shared his private information that was overheard on a stagecoach headed west.
He’d ask for Chloe’s forgiveness later.
Chapter Ten
Omaha, Nebraska
Chloe stepped off the creaking stagecoach and stretched her long legs. She had been cooped up in the cramped space for two weeks, including the time from Pittsburg to Chicago, with few opportunities to stretch or walk around. The wind blew against her face, and she could feel the ground sway beneath her boots, as if the stage was still rocking, even though it had come to a halt.
Her knuckles were white from gripping her crochet hook for so long, and untangling knots in her yarn that had been caused by the stage’s constant jostling. After a few deep breaths of fresh air, Chloe finally felt like the ground was steady enough to move.
Jackson was surly and distant during the rest of their journey. He sat with the driver the entire trip and refused to look at her when they stopped for a quick break or to change horses. It was as if he was avoiding any unnecessary contact with her. His behavior was an extreme contrast to his charm before they crossed into Iowa, which made her wonder if he had grown cold toward her because of what happened back in Oak Grove.
