Had she’d snuck out in the middle of thenight and returned to her room? It would be better for both of themif his brother did know what happened last night. He would notapprove and insist George do the right thing. He didn’t wantAllison to feel pressured to sayher vows. Frederick the walking contradiction. George shook hishead. How could he be so pious when he used to sleep around all thetime? Of course, he always said he wanted better for his littlebrother.
George peeled back the blanket and quilt.Allison’s scent still clung to the sheets. He stood and pulled onhis trousers and then put on his shoes. Quickly pulling on hisshirt, he headed down the loft ladder.
Allison was probably helping Emma withbreakfast. Did Allison even know how to cook? There was so much hewanted to learn about her. After last night, he knew she would givehim the chance. He would not squander the opportunity.
“That coffee sure smells good,” George said,walking into the kitchen. Emma stood by the stove alone. He stoppedabruptly as if he had run into an invisible brick wall. “Where isAllison?”
“She’s not here.”
“I can see that.”
Emma shifted her weight. Her mouth poppedopen but no words came. “She’s not at the farm, George,” she saidfinally. “She left.”
“What?” he roared. “Why?” What was shethinking?
Emma cringed. “She said she didn’t want to betied down.” Her tone was soft and apologetic. “Some people justaren’t ready—”
“Damn it!” George tried not to cuss aroundEmma and the children but he was too upset to censor himself. Hethought they had experienced a breakthrough last night. They’d madelove and he had felt their connection deepen.
Emma didn’t scold him for foul language. Shefrowned, pity lurking in her eyes.
George turned away. He didn’t need herfeeling sorry for him. He snatched a hot biscuit off the panjuggling it from hand to hand until it had cooled enough tohold.
If Allison wasn’t ready for a relationshiphe’d wait. Some men jokingly called marriage a form of bondage, ofbeing shackled to a woman. Afterall she’d been through, she might feel the same way. If shewasn’t ready to be chained to him he wouldn’t push it. But he stillwanted to be by her side. Didn’t she realize he wanted to be herman? His gut hardened, the temperature of his blood rising. Hepaced the length of the kitchen, his heart pounding harder witheach step.
He had been naïve thinking one night havepassion would win her over. Son of a bitch. Coswell was outthere looking for her. Had their intimacy scared her off? Hethought they’d worked past that. Maybe she lit out because shewanted to stay on the run. If she was worried Coswell would come tothe farm and wanted to leave, why couldn’t she wait until he’dgotten up so he could go with her?
Gritting his teeth, he could barely containhis anger. His face felt so hot he wondered if his skin would burn.George poured himself a cup of coffee and chugged it. The steamingliquid scorched his throat, but he didn’t care. “When did sheleave?”
“A little over an hour ago.”
She might already be in town by now. Hedidn’t have any time to waste. Biting viciously into his biscuit,he headed out the door.
“George,” Emma called, “can’t you at least sit and have a proper breakfast? It is a long walk intotown.”
“I’m taking one of the horses,” George said,heading back to the barn. He needed to catch up with Allison beforeCoswell did.
“Oh, all right. I hope you find her.”
I hope so, too. Emma hadn’t voiced acomplaint, and after he didn’t run into his brother, he breathedeasier. He didn’t need Frederick’s helpful meddling in this and hisbig brother would readily accompany him, especially once he foundout about Coswell’s involvement.
George saddled a dapple gray gelding as fastas he could. Every minute counted. How could Allison do somethingso foolish?
His heart ached at the thought of losingAllison forever. He needed to bring her back to the farm and makesure he didn’t lose her again.
He mounted and dug his heels in the horse’ssides. The horse galloped at a jarring pace. He rounded the cornerand headed down the long road to town, wishing he could coverground faster. The gelding snorted, kicking up dust with eachstrike of his hoofs.
If he proposed he’d let Allison know his truefeelings, his intentions. That would either keep her here or scareher away. His stomach soured. It would be a gamble, but he prayedAllison would choose him.
He never thought he’d marry his first love,but Allison was perfect.
Would he get the chance to ask her for herhand in marriage? If so, would she accept?
Chapter 20
ALLISON TRUDGED DOWN the road, her sideaching. She massaged the pain, hoping it would at least lessen, andkept going. She couldn’t stop. Her mouth gaping, she suckedfreezing air into her lungs. A flurry of snowflakes fell on hereyelashes.
Winter had rolled in overnight. Despite thedrop in temperature, her throat was parched. She hadn’t thought oftaking water with her. There was plenty of water in town if shecould make it there.
The small snowflakes built up on her coat andsank through the thick fabric. If it snowed any harder herfootprints wouldn’t be visible. She forced a smile and kept goinguntil the pain in her side was unbearable. Rest. She sank onto aboulder, panting. Her breath hung in the air with each puffreminding her of the steamboat’s smokestack.
Too bad she couldn’t travel as fast or aseasy as the Queen Bee. She’d never walked sofast and so far in her life. Her stomach grumbled. She hadn’tplanned on sparing any time toeat, but since she’d already stopped so she picked apart a biscuitsavoring it piece by piece.
Walking made a person hungry, and being in astate of constant fear even more so. Her eyes darted around her,constantly watching for Coswell. She ate the salt pork, swishingher tongue around her mouth to wash it down with saliva. Even witha full stomach, a funny feelingremained in the pit of herbelly.
It reminded her of the inherent danger. Ahorse and
