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“Nevertheless, I will be walking the animals this afternoon.” She glared at him, hands on her hips, chin thrust forward.
Stubborn woman.
She made her way to the back of the wagon and gathered some things for the noon meal. Davis ambled to the front of the line and spent time talking to Ezra and the other scouts.
“Boy, you look like hell. Why are you up and about already?” Ezra peered at him through narrowed eyes.
Davis nodded. “I’m a tad sore, but I’m done lying in that woman’s wagon. She needs help and I aim to give it to her.”
“And how much help are you gonna be when you collapse and we have to drag your lifeless body away?”
“I’m fine. I’ll rest a bit this afternoon.”
Ezra shot a stream of tobacco juice at his feet, then shaking his head, strode away.
The noise increased as families enjoyed the break, easing sore muscles, and chomping down on cold meat and biscuits. Free at last from the confinement of the wagons, children ran around gleefully, shouting and calling to each other. The women made quick visits to the bushes, and the men checked over wagon wheels and animals. The cloud cover grew darker and thunder rolled in the distance.
Davis walked slowly back to Emma and edged his sore body down on a tree stump next to the wagon. She handed him a cloth wrapped over a biscuit, apple and cold bacon. She joined him on the ground and began to eat.
“Mrs. Thorpe, it’s not right for me to be sitting here with you on the ground. Get up, and sit here.” Davis said slowly moving himself.
“No, sir, not at all. You’ve been walking all morning, and I’ve been riding. I’m fine. You just go ahead and eat.”
This she said to the general direction of his throat. Davis grinned at her nervousness, but made no
comment. Emma Thorpe was skittish as a baby colt around him. He wondered about her marriage to Peter, how well they’d known each other, and how long they’d been married. Emma had the look and manner of a woman not yet fully grown. Mommy and daddy’s little girl.
After wiping his mouth on the napkin, Davis pushed his hat back with his finger and leaned two forearms on his knees. “I’ve noticed I seem to make you nervous,” he said, staring straight ahead. “Do you think you have cause to be afraid of me?” He glanced over at Emma, but she kept busy smoothing her dress, messing with her bonnet ribbon, and folding the napkin. At least she wasn’t picking at that apron.
“No, not at all. Why would you think something like that?” She stood and began to brush her dress but a red blush crept up her neck and made a good effort to reach her hairline.
“Okay, if you say so.” Davis rose from the tree stump, his breath catching with the ache from his ribs. “I just want you to know I appreciate your kindness. I hope I can repay you by being a bit of a help now that I’m on my feet again. I don’t think I can ride my horse for a while; the ribs are still pretty sore. But the wrapping the doc did for me at least lets me get around. So if you have no objection, I’d like to take over some of your chores.” He stepped closer as he finished his speech. When Emma continued to be interested in her shoes, he gently put his knuckle under her chin and nudged her head so he could see her face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma’s took in a sharp breath as her eyes met his. “Yes, Mr. Cooper, I would appreciate your help if you feel up to it.”
“Davis.”
“What?” Emma gasped.
“Please call me Davis, Emma.” He continued to stare at her, his knuckle under her chin.
Her stomach muscles tightened. How could she feel flustered by this man? A recent widow, she’d been forced to endure his company. Yet the prickles that gathered at the back of her neck appeared related to his touch. She had loved Peter. Still loved him, she corrected.
“Emma, I’d like to talk to you.” The spell shattered when Sarah entered their wagon space.
Emma quickly moved away from Davis and regarded her visitor. “What is it?” Her voice squeaked.
“Are you all right?” Sarah asked, peering into her face.
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m just finding it a bit warm today.” She wiped her forehead with the napkins she still held in her hand, feeling a trail of crumbs smear her skin.
Glancing around, Sarah lowered her voice. “I thought you might want to know several women are starting to talk about you and Mr. Cooper.” Sarah looked uneasy as she shifted Stephen from one hip to the other.
Emma’s eyes grew wide. “There’s no me and Mr. Cooper, so I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Apparently a few got together and told Ezra it wasn’t right for Mr. Cooper and you to travel alone in your wagon.”
