Chapter Eight
Nolan’s body throbbed with pain from the tumble, but he ignored his own injuries, refusing to waste time checking for broken bones.
His priority was Deborah. He needed to make certain she was all right.
He knew women weren’t accustomed to suffering such injuries, and he hoped desperately that she’d remembered his advice and had protected herself during the fall.
Once he stopped rolling, he forced himself up from the ground, scanning his surroundings for Deborah.
Fortunately, the area wasn’t densely wooded, so there were few trees that could have obstructed her fall.
Only a handful of rocks dotted the earth, offering some hope that she hadn’t been gravely injured.
Nolan’s gaze was immediately drawn to the blue fabric of Deborah’s dress, which stood out against the earth.
She lay motionless, curled tightly into a ball.
He cursed under his breath and rushed to her side, dropping to his knees.
With gentle hands, he reached for her shoulder, his concern mounting as he took in the state of her dress.
The material was torn, and streaks of blood stained the garment.
Yet, despite her injuries, Nolan could see her chest rise and fall with each breath, a sign that she was still alive.
Sighing, he pushed the brown hair out of her face. Her eyes were closed, and only a few scratches marred her pretty face. “Deborah? Can you hear me?”
She groaned and crinkled her forehead. He knew her body ached worse than his. He slid his arm under her neck as he helped her sit up. “Tell me where you hurt.”
“Everywhere,” she muttered irritably.
“Can you move your arms and legs?”
She blinked open her eyes and met his gaze. Slowly, she moved her arms and then her legs, releasing little groans each time.
“What about your back and neck?”
She arched and rolled her head on her neck, grimacing. But she nodded. “I’m fine.”
Relief swept over him, and he released a deeper sigh than before. “Thank the Lord.”
She finished sitting on her own as she rubbed her forehead. She peered in the direction of where the train had been, and frowned. “Do you think anyone knows we fell off?”
He glanced in the same direction. “I’m sure someone heard you scream. If not, they probably heard me scream your name when you fell.”
She looked at him and arched her eyebrow. “You screamed?”
“Yes, right before I jumped.”
“Why... why would you do that?”
“Because I had to make certain you were all right. And I’m your husband, whether you like it or not.
” He pushed a glob of dirt from her chin, and she flinched.
It was scratched, and the skin was already darkening into a bruise.
He hoped she didn’t look in a mirror anytime soon.
She would blame him for that mark on her skin, too.
“Tell me truthfully... are you all right?”
“Well, my head is pounding, and my body hurts, but at least I’m alive.”
“I’m glad you see it that way because we both need our strength for the journey ahead.”
He stood and stretched out the kinks in his body, then reached down and took her outstretched hand to pull her up. She grimaced a few times but then stood beside him. She ran her hands over her dress, dusting off the dirt.
“Do you know where we are?” she asked.
“We are still in Montana.” He pointed to the distant mountains. “The further away those mountains get, the more different-shaped mountains will become our scenery. Then we’ll be in South Dakota.”
He glanced around them and couldn’t see any nearby towns. “Then let’s follow the tracks. That will eventually get us to a town.”
“All right.”
He skimmed his gaze over her again. “Do you still have the documents?”
She slid the palm of her hand down her leg toward the hem of her dress. Immediately, she stopped and sighed heavily. “Yes.”
“Then let’s be on our way.”
Together, they started walking. She limped slightly on her left leg. He took her elbow, stopping her.
“You’re limping.”
“I’ll be fine. I just twisted it when I landed.”
“Let me know if it gets worse.”
“Why?” She tilted her head and met his stare. “Do you plan on carrying me?”
He shrugged. “If it helps, yes.”
She rolled her eyes and continued walking. “I wish you’d stop acting as if you care. Besides, I can take care of myself.”
He gritted his teeth. Inconsiderate woman! “I’m happy to know that about you.” He quickened his step, moving past her. “You don’t know how relieved I am not to have to play the gallant knight to some simpering female.”
She snorted, which almost sounded like a laugh. “You? Gallant?”
He shrugged. “Since you don’t know me very well, I’ll let that rude comment slide.” He glanced over his shoulder. She struggled to keep up with his pace. “Tell me, would you consider a U.S. Marshal someone who rescued women?”
Her shoulders straightened. “Of course. Their job is to protect people in the towns from criminals.”
“And I couldn’t possibly be that kind of man, even though I care for a young child and an invalid brother. Correct?”
She held up her hands in surrender. “There’s no need to wrinkle your nose just because I don’t think you’re strong and capable. I’m sure you’ve done many... um, chivalrous things as a rancher.”
Nolan opened his mouth to reply, but his mind drew a blank.
Had he done anything chivalrous since ending his position as a U.S.
Marshal? And if he had, apparently, those few times weren’t strong enough to remember.
“Of course I have, but it will never matter to you since you seem to think very little of me.” He shrugged and continued walking forward.
“I’m just not going to try and prove my worth to you.
” He peeked over his shoulder. “As you have previously told me, you’re capable of caring for yourself. ”
She glared at him but didn’t say anything. Right now, he preferred her that way. Especially when he needed to think about how to get out of their dire situation.
As he pressed forward, he constantly scanned the landscape, searching for any signs that might indicate their proximity to civilization.
The tracks they followed wound across the flat terrain, but clusters of thick trees obstructed his view, making it impossible to determine whether they were near any settlements or people.
The uncertainty weighed on him. The absence of clear landmarks meant they would likely be forced to walk for several miles—possibly hours—before encountering anyone.
The journey would have been far less daunting had they possessed canteens for water or horses to speed their progress, but as it stood, they faced a grueling trek on foot.
Behind him, he heard her huff, followed by a groan. He glanced over his shoulder and saw that she was several steps behind, her limp noticeably worse. Frustration grew inside him. “Confounded woman, anyway!”
“Will you please slow down?” she said in a snarky tone. “Not everyone has long muscular legs, you know.”
He blinked as his eyes widened. Did she just call his legs muscular? It must have been a slip of the tongue... or she was delirious from the pain.
He shrugged. “Forgive me, but didn’t you tell me you could take care of yourself?”
She threw him another glare. “Do you know how much I want to strike you right now? And I’m quite certain I’d enjoy every second of it.”
A chuckle bounced through him. He couldn’t help it. Her irritation was just so... adorable, in an annoying kind of way, of course.
“All you have to do is admit that you need my help,” he said. “Admit it, and I’ll slow my pace down.”
Her mouth tightened into a thin line, but she said nothing. He shrugged and turned away from her, continuing in his fast gait.
“Fine!” she snapped.
Grinning, he stopped and looked at her. When she stood glaring at him, he arched an eyebrow, silently communicating with her to continue.
“My ankle hurts, and I cannot walk fast.”
Slowly, he shook his head. “That’s not what I asked you to say.”
She rolled her eyes, and her hands fisted at her sides. “Mr. Avery, I really need you to slow down because I can’t walk fast.”
Tsking, he shook his head again. “Dare to try it again?”
Her cheeks reddened. “Mr. Avery,” her voice turned sharp, “since I cannot walk very fast, would you... I mean, I need your help so that I can walk.”
“Now see. That wasn’t so hard, was it?” He winked.
“Speak for yourself.” She stepped toward him, limping.
Teaching this irritable woman a lesson would be harder than he thought. But then an idea hit him, and his smile stretched wider. “Of course, Deborah. I’ll happily help you... as long as you call me Nolan.”
She nodded, and in four long strides, he was in front of her, bending slightly as he grabbed her and flung her over his shoulder. Her loud gasp overrode her angry grumbles as she kicked her feet. He wrapped his arms around them, holding her legs still against his chest.
“You can not be serious,” she snapped.
“Oh, but I am, my dear wife.” He laughed and lightly swatted her backside, feeling the crooked bustle that probably needed to be removed soon. “I’m helping you, so you don’t add more pressure to your sprained ankle. At least for a little while.”
He turned and resumed his walk toward the train tracks, carrying Deborah over his shoulder.
Though she was light, he knew fatigue would eventually set in, and he silently hoped they would reach a town before he grew too weary.
Her injured ankle needed to be elevated to reduce the swelling, but unfortunately, there was no place nearby where she could properly rest and care for it.
It took only a few minutes for her body to relax. But at least she was quiet, though he doubted that would last very long.
She braced her hands on his lower back. He was sure she was trying to lift herself up so her head wouldn’t hang. Being in that position would give one a headache.
A sigh of defeat sprang from her mouth. “Mr. Avery... uh, Nolan, I would appreciate not being carried like this.”
He slowed his steps and peeked over his shoulder, but all he could see was her crooked bustle. “Would you rather have me carry you on my back?”
“If it will keep my head up, then yes.”
He stopped and adjusted her so that she slowly slid down the length of him.
Her eyes were wide when they met his, and the red in her face appeared to be a blush.
For a moment, he thought he detected a hint of interest in her gaze, but then he quickly dismissed it because once her feet were planted on the ground, she pushed away from him.
“In the future,” she said with a tight voice, “I’d rather not be treated as a sack of oats.”
He nodded. “And in the future, kindly remember that the sweeter you are to me, the nicer I’ll be to you.”
Her jaw hardened, and she nodded sharply.
He turned his back toward her and motioned for her to climb on.
But after a few seconds had passed without her doing anything, he peeked behind him.
She shifted from one foot to the other, bunching her gown in her hands as she gazed down at her feet in uncertainty.
“Deborah, you’ll have to hike up your dress to your knees. That’s the only way.”
Her gaze snapped up. Her eyes were alert, and her blush darkened. “But that’s... very improper!”
He glanced around them. “And who is going to notice? I assure you, if and when I see someone coming our way, I’ll make sure your legs are covered.”
She huffed again and wadded up her dress, preparing to climb on his back.
He squatted and helped her on as she hooked her legs around his waist. She grasped his shoulders as he stood to full height.
He hooked his arms around her legs to hold her in place.
It was cute to see her beige stocking legs and black, scuffed-up, heeled ladies’ boots.
“Is this better, my dear wife?” he asked.
“Yes.” She paused. “And would you stop saying that so degradingly?”
“As you wish. Does Your Majesty suit you better?”
She groaned, which made him chuckle. If he was going to be miserable out here in the middle of nowhere with a woman who had a bad temperament, he might as well have fun at it.