Page 19 of Morning Dove

“I’m not going to hurt you.”

She stiffened at his words. “I did not think you would.”

He placed a hand at her waist and gave it a squeeze. “Then why are you as stiff as a board?”

Because you make me nervous. She relaxed her posture and leaned back against him. The moment she did, the hand he had at her waist slid around her middle to lie flat against her stomach and her pulse danced beneath her skin.

Since the day she left Silver Falls—and Walter—she had dreamed of a normal life. One like Aaron and Betsey had. One with a comforting home and children. She had neither of those things before coming here, thankfully. Walter’s offspring would no doubt be as awful as he was, and she thanked the spirits his seed had never taken root during the many nauseating times he had rutted on top of her. She shivered at the memory, and Ben’s hold on her tightened.

“Cold?”

She shook her head. “No. Just bad memories crawling up my spine.”

He was quiet for a long moment before saying, “Anything you want to talk about?”

Did she? She had never wanted to before. Not even with Aaron. She had told him as little as she had to. Him knowing the full extent of the abuse she had suffered had not been campfire conversation. Aaron may have rescued her, but he had still been a stranger to her. Ben was too, but for reasons she did not want to examine, telling him of her life was easier. Maybe because she knew he had suffered abuse of his own.

Betsey had talked little about her father but from what little she had said, the man was a mean drunk who liked to throw his fists around as often as he did hateful words and Ben always made sure he was the one taking those hits so Betsey did not have to. In a way, they were much the same. Taking abuse and having little say in the matter.

“What was life like for you before coming to Willow Creek? Did you like Silver Falls? Well, aside from having to put up with the old coot who forced you to live with him.”

She laughed despite the fact her life there had not been much of a life. “I liked Silver Falls. It is a beautiful place. The town is small and nestled in a valley between several mountains. There are not many people who live there. It is nowhere the size of Willow Creek. It is very green in the summer and you can see the waterfall from any spot you stand in town.”

“Is that where the town’s name comes from?”

“Yes.” She nodded and closed her eyes, the town filling her mind’s eye. “On quiet days, you can hear water rushing down the mountain.”

“And on days it's not quiet?”

Walter is screaming at me for one reason or another.

“The echo of the blacksmith’s hammer as he pounds on metal rings across the valley.”

Betsey and Aaron’s house came into view. As nervous as she was around Ben, Morning Dove wished Cash had walked slower.

A few lights were shining in the windows. Ben rode right up to the house and dismounted before reaching up for her. She held onto his shoulders as he helped her from the horse. Hands at her waist again, he did not let go when her feet hit the ground.

“Thanks for supper.”

“You are welcome.”

“Anytime you want to cook for me, you come on over.” He smiled and squeezed her waist. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy finding you in my house when I got there.”

Heat filled her face, and she was glad it was too dark for Ben to see her blushing. He was still too close, his hands resting at her waist, and when she looked up at him, his gaze was on her lips. Her pulse started tripping the moment she noticed. Was he going to kiss her?

Anticipation made her breath catch as his head lowered, but the creaking of the screen door opening made her jump. She jerked away from Ben as if he was on fire and took a few steps back before turning to the house. Betsey stood on the stoop.

“I thought I heard voices out here.”

Ben gave her a lopsided grin. “Surprised you didn’t stand there and eavesdrop.”

Betsey’s mouth flew open. “I would never.”

“Right.”

“We were not doing anything.” The moment she said the words, Morning Dove realized how stupid they were. Of course they were not doing anything but saying so made it seem as if they had been.

Betsey looked between her and Ben before focusing her attention on her again. “Sorry I didn’t make it back to get you. I passed Keri and Noah on my way home to get more food. Samuel fell and knocked his tooth out so I went with them into town to see Dr. Reid.”

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