The Lone Texan (A Whispering Mountain Novel) by Jodi Thomas

Author:Jodi Thomas
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Frontier and Pioneer Life - West (U.S.), Fiction, Romance, Women Physicians, Historical, texas
ISBN: 9781602856707
Publisher: Center Point Pub
Published: 2009-10-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

THEY RODE FOR FOUR MORE DAYS, STOPPING AN HOUR before dark each night so that they could cook the game they’d killed along the way. Sage slept in Drum’s arms at night. He was awake when she fell asleep and awake when she woke. He didn’t want to sleep. He hated missing one hour, one minute, of their time together.

Though he could think of little to talk about, she trusted him more each day, and the silence between them never seemed awkward. They made a good team, both skilled at surviving.

He enjoyed the way she teased him, claiming he was the worst cook she’d ever encountered. She seemed to be growing younger, shedding a little of the responsibility she’d worn for months. Or maybe he was growing older, Drum thought, from worrying about getting her back safely.

They fought over chores, took turns complaining about how dirty they were, and shared everything.

Though the nights were not cold, they slept side by side. He accused her of fluffing him like a pillow every night until she had him turned just the way she wanted him, and she swore he petted her in his sleep, running his hand along her leg or arm several times a night.

Drum was smart enough to deny it, but he didn’t stop. His favorite pastime after she slept was to move his hand along her spine until she bowed against him, and he felt her soft intake of breath against his throat. There were other places he wanted to touch her, but he wanted her awake.

To his surprise, he slept more hours beside her than he usually slept. When he did wake in the darkness, he’d listen to make sure all was quiet around him, then he’d relax, enjoying the feel of her close. She liked to put her hand over his heart when she slept. He liked to turn her in her sleep while he whispered against her ear.

“Roll over, honey,” he’d say. “Your back is getting cold.”

She’d moan in protest, but she’d turn on her side and cuddle into his arms.

He also loved when she woke. She’d stretch against him, then pull away as if embarrassed at her boldness. He’d keep his eyes closed long enough to let her think she had to wake him.

When they reached Galveston in mid-afternoon, Drum had to fight the urge to pull the horses and turn around. He didn’t want their time to end. He couldn’t stand the thought of her not being in his arms when the sun went down.

Every time he groaned, she laughed, promising him everything would be grand as soon as they had a bath and food.

Sage insisted on going to the Ranger station before they took time to clean up. She was worried about Bonnie and the boys. When Drum lifted her down in front of the station, he noticed a tear running down her dirty cheek.

“They’re all right,” he whispered, reading her unspoken worry.

She pressed her forehead against his shoulder. “Promise me if they’re missing …”

“We’ll go after them.

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