“She is but we’ll be relieved when we’re set and on our way.” She straightened as the waiter set her dinner in front of her.
After the waiter had left, Peyton said, “I hope we don’t attract the interest of Indians. They’d love your hair and find you a delightful addition to their women.”
Shivers slid up her spine. “Don’t even tease me about such a thing. I’m worried enough about finding Josiah.”
He laid his hand over hers. His expression on his handsome face was solemn. “Red, I’m not teasing. We’ll have to be on guard every minute of this trip. Between Indians and criminal whites, we are playing against a stacked deck. You need to be aware of what we may face.”
She pulled her fingers away. “Don’t try to talk me into staying here. I have to see about my brother.”
“Not personally you don’t. You can send me. You and Abigail can wait right here in comfort while I rescue your brother. I’ll take a couple of men with me and I can be in and out before the wagons could even reach there.”
“No, and please don’t ask me again.” She hoped her words sounded final. The discussion had killed her appetite.
“If not for yourself, think about Abigail.”
“Don’t try appealing to my love for her.” She glanced around the dining room. “For one thing, she said if I don’t take her she is going on her own. She would, too, Peyton, so don’t think otherwise for even one minute. Josiah is her son as far as she’s concerned. She will not stop until she’s with him and knows he’s all right.”
The fatigue in Abigail’s face haunted her. She knew Abigail should stay here and the only way she would consider it was if Judith stayed also. She doubted Abigail would remain in Santa Fe even then.
Judith blinked back tears at the thought of losing either Abigail or Josiah. “Look, I know you mean well and I appreciate what I’m asking of you. We have to go. I wish she would wait here but Abigail would rather die than not rescue her boy. As close as she and I are, he is closer.”
“I figured you were her favorite.”
“She doesn’t exactly have favorites. When she came to work as my wet nurse she had just lost a baby. I’m sure she was grief stricken. Josiah was two and very sweet. He captured her heart and helped her heal. Well, I don’t suppose she ever healed completely from losing a child but there’s a special bond between them.”
“Her baby’s father was out of the picture?”
“He was never in for long. She was staying with our minister when Papa hired her. She was a dirt-poor girl who fell victim to a smooth talking ne’er-do-well. I suppose anything sounded better than where she was.”
“Happens to a lot of young women. I see why she guards you like a hawk.”
“Up until now. For some reason, she is far too accepting of you in my opinion. I don’t understand why. You and I are just ships passing on our journeys.”
“Not passing, Red. Right now we’re at least temporarily moored together.” He stood and held her chair. “Shall we go?”
Chapter Five
Now she had another problem to worry her. Sharing a room with a stranger was an odd situation. She was certain he would not try to claim his husbandly privileges or they couldn’t get an annulment. That didn’t stop her from feeling uncomfortable.
When they reached their room, all traces of the bathtub and its contents had been removed.
He glanced around. “Looks as if they tidied up while we were dining.”
Judith glanced uncertainly at the door. Should she risk waking Abigail to check on her?
As if he’d read her mind, Peyton walked to the window. “Leave your mama alone. She will let us know if she needs help. She looked exhausted when we arrived.”
“I hardly need your advice on how I should treat her. For your information, I told her to bang on the common wall if she needs me.”
He ignored her remark. “I’ll go down to the bar for a few minutes so you can get ready for bed. Then, we need to talk about tomorrow.”
“Thank you, I won’t require much time.”
When he’d gone she hurried to undress and get into her nightclothes. This trip was so unbelievable she almost felt as if someone else was here. Instead of being herself, she was simply a spectator at one side observing the odd situation.
The man was a mystery. At least he appeared ready to do as she asked. Clearly he didn’t want her and Abigail to accompany him to Los Perdidos.
Why hadn’t he discussed whatever was on his mind before she readied for bed? She looked down at her nightdress and realized the delicate fabric was translucent. If she wore her robe, she’d have to remove it in his presence.
He rapped softly before he opened the door. His knock sent her hurrying to climb under the covers. When he strode into the room, his matter of fact attitude helped her calm.
“We have decisions to make and I expect to be out at work before you wake tomorrow.” He removed his jacket and draped it around the back of a chair then did the same with his waistcoat.
She tugged the covers higher. “I’m usually an early riser.”
He unbuttoned his shirt and removed it and draped it over the other clothes.
Why hadn’t she prepared herself for the fact he’d have to undress? Any calm she’d achieved fled and her discomfort increased. She should have worn her robe and sat in one of the chairs.
No,
