' She gently removed his hand. 'I'm sure.' He was staring intently at
her, and she thought he might be looking for a sign of weakness from
her. She straightened her shoulders, smiled, and suggested once again
that they get going.
'Is there time for me to stop by the wagon? I must get another hat, '
she explained. 'A lady should never appear in public without her head
covered. It just isn't done.'
'Then why did you sell the one you had? ' 'Daniel, it was ten whole
dollars.' He grinned. 'It took you by surprise, didn't it? ' 'Not
really, ' she admitted. 'It's the third hat I've sold since I arrived,
and I didn't even try, ' she added. 'The poor ladies here don't have
the shops we have in London.
They must order through the catalog, but quite often what they think
they're buying and what they get are two different things. It can be
very disappointing.'
'I'm sure it can be, ' he said dryly.
She laughed. 'Hats are important to ladies, but not to men. Isn't
that right? ' 'Come on then, ' he said. 'The wagon was moved to the
stable. You can get another hat out of your boxes there.' He took
hold of her arm and tried to go out the front door. She pulled away.
'It would be rude to leave without saying good-bye to Jessica and
Rebecca.'
'They've already left. Jessica went with Cole yesterday to take Caleb
to a friend's house, and Rebecca left with Marshal Cooper.
You'll see them again in Red Arrow, ' he explained as he picked up her
valise, grabbed hold of her arm, and headed out the doorway again.
'Are we going to run to the stables? ' He immediately slowed down.
Once they were outside, his full attention was directed on the
street.
'Do you think we'll be able to catch up with Jessica or Rebecca? '
'No.'
'It would have been nice to sit with them on the train.'
'Even if we took the same train, I wouldn't let you sit with them.'
'Why not? ' 'I'll explain later, ' he hedged.
