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“What happened?” Evelyn asked eagerly. Henry had certainly never divulged information to her about Alex when she tried to ask discreet questions.
“Apparently he thought he could bring down a fully grown grizzly by himself with a single shot flintlock. His first dumb mistake that day was to go out on his own to set his beaver traps. Then he provoked a bear by shooting at it. You’ll have to ask him about the details, but it was a good thing that Daniel came along when he did, or Alex wouldn’t have survived his first winter here. He was such a greenhorn back then.” Aimee grinned, obviously thinking of a fond memory. Quickly, her face turned serious again. “But he’s learned a lot. I would trust Alex with my life, Evelyn. I think you should put a little more trust in him, too. It takes a special kind of man to carve out a living here, and Alex has proven himself as just such a man.”
Evelyn gazed at the ground. “It must also take a special woman to endure life here,” she mumbled.
“Something tells me you might be just the type of woman who can handle it. With the right man at your side . . .” Aimee left her thought unfinished. She turned her attention back to her horse, and finished securing the pouch to the animal’s back before facing Evelyn again.
“Do you want to return to St. Louis?” she asked tentatively.
“Do I have a choice to return?” Evelyn’s eyes widened, surprised at Aimee’s question. What would she do if she was allowed to return to St. Louis? Marry Charles? She shook her head at the thought, and a cold shudder passed down her spine.
Before she had a chance to contemplate Aimee’s question further, a man’s voice spoke from behind them. Evelyn pirouetted on her heels, her heart slamming against her ribcage.
“I’ll be heading out today, too.” Alex clasped hands with Daniel, but his gaze was clearly locked on her. “Heading up the Snake to a small valley between a couple of lakes closer to the mountains. Gonna build my own cabin before winter sets in.”
“Sounds like you are ready to settle down.” Daniel grinned broadly.
“Looks like it,” Alex answered.
Evelyn swallowed back the lump in her throat. Her palms began to sweat. This was the moment she was both dreading and almost anticipating. She stood by silently while Alex said his goodbyes to the Osbornes. Aimee wrapped her arms around Evelyn’s shoulders.
“It’ll be okay. You’ll see. And if you want to return to St. Louis, I know he’ll take you back,” she whispered.
“Thank you for everything,” Evelyn said, forcing a smile. She embraced Sarah, then stood silently by, watching the family ride from camp.
“Ready?” Alex asked, reaching for the leather pouch at Evelyn’s feet. “Are these your personal effects?”
“It’s what Aimee gave to me, and the cloth from you,” she said, drawing in a deep breath when he straightened to his full height. A dark shadow of stubble had grown on his face since yesterday, and Evelyn wondered if he planned to grow his beard again. Far from off-putting, his look at the moment made him appear even more handsome than with a cleanly shaven face.
“Are you taking me back to St. Louis?” The question was out before she could stop herself. Did she want to go back home? There was nothing for her to go back to.
Alex raised his eyebrows. “Going to St. Louis was not part of my plans this season, Evie. I just came from there, remember?” His look challenged her to say more.
She swallowed nervously. “Then what are your plans for me, Alex?” Her eyes narrowed. She didn’t want to be reminded that he considered her his property, like he did his pack animals.
“I reckon you’re coming with me,” he said matter-of-factly. He looked up, glancing beyond her shoulder at something behind her. His eyes narrowed for a split second, and he stepped closer to her. Evelyn drew in a sharp breath, her senses filled with his masculine scent. Her heart suddenly raced in her chest. If only things were different between them. If only he didn’t consider her his property.
“What if I refuse? What if I simply say I don’t want to go with you? What if I say –”
Before she had a chance to react, Alex snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her up against his hard body. In the next instant, his mouth covered hers, drowning out anything else she wanted to say.
Too shocked to move or react to his unexpected assault, Evelyn stood stiffly in his embrace. She braced her hands against his chest, which only caused him to tighten his hold around her. His hard mouth on hers suddenly softened, and the kiss changed from one of aggression to a much softer exploration of her lips. His free hand cupped the back of her head while his fingers wrapped around her hair, holding her to him.
