The Gem: The Malloy Family, Book 12 by Beth Williamson

Author:Beth Williamson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Western;cowboy;horses;suspense;Old West;Wyoming;Malloys;stutter;bullying
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2015-07-21T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Eli and Charlie rode at a brisk pace after they left the fort. He was worried. She had ridden with her back straighter than an oak. Her shoulders seemed unnaturally stiff and then there was the fact she hadn’t spoken a word.

Not that his wife was someone who talked for the sake of talking. However, considering their lives had turned around in circles in the last twenty-four hours, and they were now married, he expected they would discuss a few things.

She definitely wasn’t in the mood to do anything but ride south. The morning heat built until sweat trickled down his skin. His stomach growled, reminding him they hadn’t eaten a meal before leaving. Knowing his mother, she had packed three days’ worth of food in the sack she’d given him.

His mother’s chin had quivered as she smiled at him. He’d never meant to hurt her. Guilt swam through his conscience that no matter his intention, he had caused her pain.

Eli was all she had. After his father died, their congregation had continued west. There was no one else for her. Eli should have asked the captain to look after her. However, Eli had faith that as long as Hamilton stayed at the fort, he would take care of everyone there, including Eli’s mother. The captain, regardless if he had wanted to marry Charlie, appeared to be a good man.

As soon as he could, Eli would write to Hamilton and request his help. His mother might not appreciate it, but it would make Eli sleep better, if not alleviate a bit of his guilt. For now, he had to focus on the other woman in his life.

Eli finally spoke. “We need to stop and eat. I’ve got the food.”

“What?” She looked at him as if he’d said he wanted to ride naked. Bareback.

“Food. You know, the tasty bits you put in your mouth that you chew and swallow. Gives you energy and helps you not die.” He pointed at his mouth and then his stomach.

She blinked a few times—perhaps her thoughts had been a thousand miles away. “Are you hungry?”

He glanced at the sky. “Got to be midday, Charlie. I haven’t eaten since yesterday. My stomach is about to start scratching my spine.”

“Oh.” She licked her lips. “I’m parched myself. We can stop to eat.”

Eli motioned toward a small pond ahead. “The horses can rest a spell and get a drink too.”

She let him lead her to the pond and even allowed him to help her down off the gelding. Definitely not herself. He wondered if it had to do with their impromptu wedding or the fact they left her home of ten years. Perhaps it was deeper still, the trauma of leaving her sister.

He laid out a blanket and dug into the sack his mother had given him. Charlie stood with her arms crossed, watching the horses nibble at the sweet grass around the edge of the pond. It was peaceful, quiet.

Too bad Eli wasn’t feeling at all peaceful.

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