Chapter Ten
Deborah wasn’t sure about Nolan, but what other choice did she have, especially when Martha and William watched her closely?
She smiled at Nolan, hoping not to give away that her nerves were jumping all over the place.
She especially didn’t want William and Martha to be suspicious about her actions.
She nodded. “Of course, I trust you, Nolan. Don’t be silly.”
His eyes widened briefly, but then a grin stretched across his handsome face.
He dipped two fingers in the cream and brought it to her cheeks.
When the ointment first touched her face, it stung.
She held her breath and fought the pain, knowing this cream would help.
Her mother had something similar when she was younger. She remembered the scent and the sting.
She enjoyed watching the way Nolan concentrated as he applied the cream.
It surprised her how gentle he was, too.
From time to time, his gaze met hers, and when that happened, the color of his eyes softened.
Her heartbeat skipped crazily, and she silently cursed her emotions.
She still blamed it on the heat, and of course, the fact that she was vulnerable and had relied on him since she’d fallen off the train.
When he finished, he straightened his shoulders and puffed out his chest proudly. She could have laughed but refrained. She didn’t need the other couple asking questions about her relationship with Nolan right now. Shoot, she didn’t even know what it was.
She breathed a sigh of relief. Her face didn’t feel as tight any longer. “Thank you.” She gently squeezed his hand.
“Supper is ready,” Martha announced.
Nolan held out his elbow, trying to look like a true gentleman to escort her to the table. Who was she to argue? She hooked her arm around his elbow and proceeded with him to the table.
The meal consisted of fried chicken and potatoes—a meal she’d eaten many times in her life—but now, Deborah realized she hadn’t tasted anything so delicious.
After supper, she and Nolan told the older couple goodnight, and they walked together in silence out to the barn.
She was so tired, she didn’t care that she was sharing a roof with animals.
She figured she’d sleep through a tornado because of how tired she was.
They had to climb a ladder to get onto the loft, but then she noticed the makeshift bed that William had put together for them. One bed. One blanket. Two pillows.
Inwardly, she groaned. Of course, the older man would make one bed since they were married. If only she felt like it. Then again, it was better that she didn’t feel like a new bride. Not when they would annul the marriage once everything was turned over to the U.S. Marshal.
They both stood at the foot of the bed, looking at it as if it was evil. Well, that’s how she felt, anyway.
She glanced at him and shrugged. “At least it’s a place to rest for the night.” She sat on the edge of the bed and removed her heeled boots but left her stockings on. She’d have to lift up her dress to take those off, and she wasn’t about to do that.
He sat beside her and removed his boots and his socks. It wasn’t fair that men didn’t have to wear long stockings as women did.
She crawled to the far side of the bed and pulled the blanket up to her chin, suddenly aware that she would be in the same bed with a man. She had always tried to imagine what it would be like... After all, she’d heard stories, even though she scarcely believed them, but now the moment was here.
Once Nolan was in bed and covered with the blanket, they both stared up at the ceiling.
From down below, she heard a horse snort, and a chicken flap its wings, but she willed herself to close her eyes and sleep.
After all, wasn’t she so tired she could sleep through anything?
And yet now, her mind was alert to anything, especially the subtle movements he made... and his breathing.
Suddenly, he turned on the bed, facing her. She sucked in a quick breath and tightened her fingers on the blanket. She snapped her head toward him, wondering why he’d decided to lie on his side.
“I forgot to tell you,” he said. “William asked if I would go into town tomorrow and talk to the man who owns the bank. Apparently, they have had a few robberies lately. I thought I could ask questions and see what I could discover.”
Her mind whirled with the idea. Was he really serious? “Why would you want to do that? I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s sweet of you to assist, but we have bigger plans.”
His gaze narrowed suspiciously on her. “I haven’t forgotten. I just thought we needed to head into town to find the next train depot anyway, so why not help the bank out while we’re waiting?”
“I suppose you’re right.” Another thought popped into her head, confusing her. “I wonder why William would ask you to do something like that. Did you tell him you were a rancher?”
Nolan hesitated before nodding. “He knew we were heading into town anyway. And when we get to the bank, let me do the talking.”
She rolled her eyes. “And why wouldn’t I? Do you really have to warn me about speaking out of turn?”
“Actually,” he arched an eyebrow, “the little spitfire of a woman I got to know today has made me think you would. So yes, I’m going to question your actions.”
“You’ll have to wait until tomorrow. I’m much too tired to bring that woman out tonight.”
He chuckled. “Ah, I’m starting to see her now.”
“Really, Nolan. Just go to sleep.”
He leaned closer to her, and his gaze dropped to her mouth. A charming smile spread across his face.
“I’ll sleep when you sleep.”
He couldn’t possibly know she felt an attraction between them, could he? No, she must close her eyes and not even look at him. Then perhaps he’d leave her alone. If only she could tear away from his incredibly mesmerizing eyes that were slowly but surely putting her under a spell.
The longer they stared at each other, the more her heartbeat quickened. His expression softened, and his body relaxed. But he hadn’t moved. He was too close with his chest pressed against her elbow.
Close your eyes, Deborah! And yet, she couldn’t.
Improper thoughts ran through her head, no matter how hard she tried to usher them out.
Her throat dried, and she was tempted to lick her lips, but then, he’d only watch her.
Look at what almost happened the last time she did that.
In fact, they were about this close to each other at the creek while staring up at the sky.
“Nolan,” she whispered.
“What?” he said in a deep voice.
Why had she said his name in what sounded like a heavy sigh? No, it wasn’t a sigh. She really wanted to say something to him, if only she could remember what had been on her mind a moment ago.
“Please...” She couldn’t get any more words out for some reason.
“Please, what?” He leaned closer as his gaze rested on her mouth.
No! She couldn’t let him. But maybe just one kiss wouldn’t hurt.
“Please...” She swallowed hard. “Go to sleep. I’m tired.”
Finally, she was able to say what was on her mind. But then, after the words were out, she groaned silently. Was that what she really wanted?
“Goodnight, Deborah.”
He rolled away from her until all she could see was his back. At least maybe she could get some sleep now.
She hoped.
* * * *
Why hadn’t he tried harder to kiss me?
Deborah grumbled as she rode into town the next morning on William’s buckboard, sitting next to Nolan.
Their kind host had noticed she was still limping slightly that morning, so he offered his wagon.
They could leave it at the bank, and he’d get it.
She and her so-called husband hadn’t said much to each other that morning, even during the wonderful breakfast Martha had prepared.
And now that Deborah and Nolan were alone again, they’d gone back to playing the quiet game.
Had it only been a few days ago when being quiet had been a nice break in the day? Now her thoughts wouldn’t leave her alone. She hadn’t slept well last night, and so far this morning, she could tell that Nolan was irritable, too.
So, why hadn’t he tried to kiss her? True, she told him to sleep, but he still could have moved his hand to her face and traced his fingers along her jaw, and then up to her lips while he scooted closer to her.
He could have said something sweet that would make her heart flip with excitement, and then lean closer and whisper kiss me...
“What?” Nolan asked.
She jumped and snapped her gaze toward him. “What, what?”
“Did you just say something?”
She sucked in a breath. Had she? Was she so involved with her daydream that she said something aloud? Oh, she prayed she hadn’t been that stupid. “No. I didn’t say anything.”
“Oh.”
“Why?” she said quickly. “What do you think I’d said?”
The horses’ reins hung loosely in his gloved hands as he guided the animals toward the direction of town that William had given them. Nolan glanced at her, and his gaze moved to her mouth. Then he shook his head and watched the road.
“I was hearing things, I’m sure.”
Oh, dear... She had said it aloud! What was wrong with her? She couldn’t blame it on the hot weather now, since this morning had a touch of coolness in the air. She rubbed her arms. Yes, the air was definitely chilly.
“Are you cold?” he asked.
“Just a little.”
He shrugged out of the jacket William had let him borrow and handed it to her.
She really shouldn’t, but how could she turn down such a nice gesture?
As she slid her arms inside the sleeves, his scent wafted around her.
She could literally smell him. Or it could be the soap, and yet, the garment smelled good. Just like him.
She sighed and folded her hands back on her lap. “We’ll have to ask around to see if anyone knows where the nearest train station is located.”
“I had already planned to do that.”
They entered the town, and she’d never been more relieved to see other people. She glanced up and down the street, studying the signs of each store. Of course, she couldn’t even see a train track, let alone the depot.
Nolan stopped the rig in front of the bank and jumped down, then turned and held out his arms to assist her. She fidgeted with her hands, not really knowing where to place them, but then finally settled on his shoulders... his muscular shoulders.
She shook the thought out of her head and hooked her hand around his elbow as they sashayed into the bank. Only three people waited in line, two middle-aged men and an older woman. It appeared that only two workers were behind the counter. They were both busy.
Nolan glanced at her and shrugged. “I suppose we have to wait.”
“Hopefully, not too long.”
As Nolan stood in line, Deborah slowly stepped toward the window and peered outside. Living in Bloomington had gotten her used to seeing many people and many shops in the middle of town. But this place was very barren.
From the corner of her eye, three men on horseback rode up to the bank and dismounted. The men were dressed in black and wore matching hats. Around their necks were red bandanas. As they headed toward the front door, they lifted the bandanas to cover the lower half of their faces.
Her heart dropped, and her body froze in fear. These were the bank robbers Nolan had told her about.
The door swung open, and the three men with drawn pistols rushed inside. The last man coming in kicked the door closed.
“Don’t anyone move,” yelled the larger man of the three.
Panic rushed through her, and she glanced at Nolan’s stiff body. He didn’t have his pistol, so how could they get out of there without being robbed? More importantly, how could Nolan take down these bandits?
He needed help. He needed her help. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t a lawman, but she was skilled at other things. No better time like the present to act...