Chapter Seven
LUKE WATCHED FROM JUSToutside the swinging saloon doors as Sarah skirted the rickety wooden tables and the outstretched, booted feet of her former customers. His fists clenched with fury when he saw the lustful stares that followed her every step.
When she reached the stairs, he turned away, leaning against the side of the building to wait.
He’d prepared himself for a battle, but it had been surprisingly easy to get her to agree to come home with him. Her eyes had sparkled with happiness in that first moment before he’d started berating her.
Had she expected him to come for her all along? Was she part of Matt’s manipulative schemes or just a pawn like himself? He seemed to be the only one who didn’t have the faintest idea what he was doing here.
He closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the rough plank siding of the saloon. Lord, there was no hope for it. He was going to have to marry the girl.
Sarah returned in less than ten minutes, modestly clad in her worn gray dress. He took her battered bag and was shocked to discover how light it was.
The poor thing. So few belongings, so much pride. “Did you get everything?”
She nodded and gave him a faint smile. “Let’s get out of here.”
He took her arm and led her toward the side of the building, where his bay gelding, Shiloh, waited. “I only brought one mount. We’ll have to ride double.”
“That’s fine.”
Luke secured her bag to the back of the saddle and then hesitated with one hand on the pommel. Mounting with only one leg was an awkward maneuver at best. He was afraid he’d fall flat on his ass and regretted the haste that had made him decide against hitching up the team.
Sarah averted her eyes, fixing her gaze on the quiet street behind them. Luke blessed her for her astuteness, even though it shamed him.
Taking a deep breath, he used his upper body strength to balance precariously on his bad leg while he put his good one in the stirrup and pulled himself into the saddle. Occasionally he fell before he could gain his balance, but tonight he managed the trick with ease.
“Give me your hand,” he instructed, kicking his foot free of the stirrup so she could swing up in front of him. As she settled sideways in his lap, her soft little bottom nestled against his heated body and he winced a bit, knowing this was going to be a long ride. Giving the gelding a quick squeeze with his thighs, he turned toward home.
* * * * *
SARAH SLOWLY RELAXEDagainst Luke’s broad chest, feeling safe for the first time since the beginning of the war. Closing her eyes, she pressed her cheek against him, allowing herself to revel in the guilty pleasure she found in being held by him.
His body was so pleasing; hard and substantial without a hint of softness.
Luke brushed her temple with his warm lips. “Are you all right? That bastard didn’t touch you, did he?”
