“Sir.” The sweetness of the word came off too sweet with the edge Esther’s expression added. She smiled at him, eyes narrowed. “I might be small, but I can do what is needed.”
A deep belly laugh burst from the boss. He shook ashes on the ground before putting the cigar back in his mouth, offering up a smile to himself. The way Mr. Fisher gazed at her made Obadiah want to punch him. This man claimed to be a Christian and nothing in his eyes matched those words. He didn’t blame him as she was pretty. Blonde hair piled on her had in a twisted braid. Two strands curled around her full cheeks. Her lips pursed together, soft and kissable. A purple dress with layers and ruffles accented her body.
“I do believe you’ll have your hands full with her.”
Boy was he right Obadiah thought What had he gotten himself in to? Nothing could be done about the situation for now. “You may be right.”
Esther turned her dark green eyes his way. Hot. Fiery like the end of a pipe smoked around the circle. Before she had a chance to respond, he lifted her off her feet carrying her away before she ruined his chance to even start his plan. Another gasp came from her lips. She smacked his hands.
“Put me down this instant.”
“No.”
Folks walking on the boardwalk turned to look in their direction. Judging him. Always judging him because of his heritage. The trouble he got in to. The mayor and his wife came out of the mayor’s office. They were the worst of all. He did have to admit that he enjoyed seeing her snobbish face show her shock.
“If you don’t put me down right now, I will scream for help. So help me! Obadiah!”
His name coming from her lips was the best thing he’d ever heard. One day she’d say his Indian name as well. Blood rushed through him at the mere thought. He smiled knowing she couldn’t get out of his grasp. She wiggled in his arms. Beating with her fist on his back. It didn’t hurt. She weighed nothing. He could carry her all day.
“No one will come.”
“Yes, someone will. I-I know the mayor.”
He laughed. The man was scared of those of the tribe. They’d not even done a thing to him, his family, or this town, but he still ran away whenever the tribe came around. Not everyone in town was this way, but the mayor and his wife were, so if she wanted to scream for them, she could try but they would be of no help.
“You! you, irritate me!”
“Same to you. Now be quiet and I’ll put you down.”
Esther hit him again, but her body relaxed a little. She sighed against him. It didn’t take much to get her going and he thought this might be actually be fun. They’d need a way to stay sane on this adventure. Maybe he would get on her nerves and she’d want out and he could go back to his quiet life and move up in rank within his tribal family. It wouldn’t be easy, being part white man, but he knew he was respected in the tribe.
He put her down. Their closeness made him clear his throat. Her cheeks rosy, eyes shining like an emerald stone. Her hands were pressed against his chest. He felt flames, simmering from her touch. His hands holding her hips, keeping her in place. She didn’t try to fight. Her face flushed, and she looked away from him, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth.
“I didn’t grab you to be rude.”
She shot her gaze up, twisting one side of her mouth. Esther didn’t believe him and he didn’t blame her.
“Let me explain. I didn’t want you to be rude to the boss. This man could take us off the list and then we’d be without the money.”
“But the way he spoke to me.” She replied, the quiet words coming out fast.
“I know. He shouldn’t have.”
***
Esther tried hard not to let anger bubble to the surface. The way the man spoke to her reminded her of the man to whom she had owed money. As if he owned her and every other woman in the world. As if they were beneath him and he planned on keeping them there. She wanted more to life than that. She had dreams and thoughts. She prayed her husband wouldn’t be the kind of man who thought they could treat women in a disrespectful manner.
She fell in line next to Obadiah as they made their way to the trail. Two whole months on their own in the wild. No contact with Ruth. This wasn’t what she had expected. She should have known better than to trust the future as her life had not started easy, and so of course, her marriage wouldn’t be easy either. To be honest, the idea of mapping out the trails did sound like fun. She wasn’t so sure about the camping part though.
“I’ve wondered something since I spoke with Mrs. Smith.”
He stiffened a little next to her at the mention of the mayor’s wife. Obadiah didn’t look at her, eyes fixed on a big stick in his hand. As they walked deeper into the woods, the trail was narrow without much clearing alongside and she wished she’d thought to grab a stick too. He stayed ahead of her, pushing the branches out of her way. “Why does she not like you?”
“She’s scared of me and my tribe like most white people.” He shrugged his shoulders. “We’ve never hurt anyone in town.” An edge to his voice as he spoke about the woman and white people in general. Maybe he wouldn’t like her either because
