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“I just want to see if her leg is healed.”
“It is. If you want to see for yourself, then take a look through the glass.”
She held it up to her eye again. “Can’t see it. The others are in the way.”
“Just wait.”
“There’s that ole patience thing again.” She sighed.
“Sure is.” He chuckled. “They’re starting to get restless. We’d better go.”
She nodded. “Thank you, Michael, for bringin’ me here. It means a lot to me.”
“I know. That’s why I did it.”
“You sure can be sweet when you wanna be, you know that?”
“When I want to be, huh?” Mirth inched his lips into an upward curl.
“Didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know what you meant. It’s okay. You can be pretty sweet yourself…when you want to be.” He winked. “Now let’s go.”
They mounted their horses and rode through the woods. Wind foraged through the trees, rustling through the branches and finding its way to them.
Michael gazed up at the sky, wondering when it had turned so dark. Being in Selina’s presence and seeing her joy and surprise had him shutting out everything else around him.
Lightning flashed in the distance. Thunder rumbled above them within seconds.
“We’d better hurry and take cover. That storm’s moving in here fast. We’ll never make it home in time. Follow me.”
Branches and pine needles crunched under the horses’ hooves as they rode swiftly through the trees, bushes and foliage. She followed the path he cut.
The wind blew harder, lifting Selina’s hair, tangling the strands with its rising fury.
“Hurry, Selina.” The coolness of the storm descended on them. Lightning struck again and again and each clap of thunder grew louder and quicker.
The sky opened and rain pelted down on them, soaking their clothing.
Michael led Selina through the trees to a hidden cave he’d discovered deep in the hillside when he and his family had first arrived in the Idaho Territory. It had been dug years ago by an old prospector looking for gold.
They stopped at the large cavern’s opening and dismounted. Both Macy and Michael’s horse Bobcat were used to being in closed-in spaces, so he grabbed the reins from Selina and led them inside the dimly lit cave. Just inside the opening, he dropped their reins, knowing they would stand still as long as their restraints were in that position. Haydon had trained them well.
Wet horse and leather and a hint of sulfur filled the damp interior of the cave.
Chills rippled through Michael’s body.
Selina loosened the stampede string on her hat and let it fall against her back. She stood, rubbing her arms. He removed the blanket from one side of his saddle bags and draped it around her shoulders, closing it snug against her neck.
“Thank you kindly.”
He nodded.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“A little.”
“Well, here.” She moved one arm out in a gesture for him to join her under the blanket.
He nodded and she removed the blanket, draped it around him, tucked herself under his arm and pulled the ends of the blanket together.
“This is rather cozy, don’t you think?” Michael gazed down at her.
“Sure is.” She smiled up at him.
They stood there, staring outside.
Thunder rumbled above them.
Wind whistled through the trees.
But the sound Michael heard most was his own heartbeat pulsating in his ears. What was it about being so close to her that set his heart racing? Was this what love felt like, or was this just some physical attraction because of Selina’s beauty? Isn’t that what had lured Haydon to Melanie? Lord, help me to not make the same mistake. Guide me where Selina’s concerned, Father.
He continued to silently pray about the situation and for his wife until peace filled his soul.
Selina laid her head against Michael’s chest. His soothing heartbeat drew her soul further into his. She wanted him to kiss her again. She loved the feel of his lips on hers. And every time he kissed her, her toes curled and her knees turned to mush. Each day she was around him, she loved him more. If she wasn’t mistaken, he seemed to be caring for her more and more, too—and trying to make this marriage work. She sure hoped so, hoped it wasn’t just some fancy on her part.
The hankering to kiss him settled into her chilled bones. His body heat warmed her outsides, but his kisses would warm her insides. Of that she was certain. Wonder what he’d think if I kissed him. Only one way to find out.
Selina slid her head up his chest and raised it to meet his eyes. Smiling eyes that pulled her in faster than quicksand, only not nearly as dangerous. Or maybe they were. A heap of courage was what she needed to follow through with her plan to kiss him. Willing some into herself, she pushed forward, “Michael, would you mind kissin’ me again?”
