Captain Jack said he’d take some of you if he couldn’t have all of you,” he said, the mirth in his eyes making light of her ire. “And you let him?” “Seems a small price to pay to keep you.” “When? How?” she sputtered. “Near dawn, with his scalping knife.” “While I slept?
Grief seems to bind people together.
He sat down on the bed and gathered her up in his arms as if she were a child. Like Abby, she thought woozily. Like Papa had with her so long ago. Weak, she succumbed to the heady scent of him, gave in to the unfamiliar feel of his arms and solidness of his chest as he cradled her.
Sophie would be the first to share his home. His life. Normalcy. As normal as two broken people could make it. Guilt nagged him that they were coming together on such odd terms. Sophie Menzies deserved far more. He was getting far more than he deserved.
She’d already memorized the short Psalm and was hungry for more. Indeed, each word seemed woven into her soul the way the weaver wove his wares, taking the barest threads of her faith and making something beautiful and enduring as fine cloth deep inside her.
You’re uncommon tall for a lass.” Surprised, she smiled. “Do you always speak your mind so?” He nodded. “You’ll find I do.” “Anything else?” “Aye,” he replied, coming around the press to close the distance between them. “Do you always court trouble, Miss Click, or does it just seem tae follow you where’er you go?
Are you alone?” she asked, glancing around. Never before had she seen him without a half dozen or so other Shawnee. “No. With you,” he said, eyes alight. She smiled, warmed by his teasing.
Fear was never far away. She’d felt its cold clutch since childhood.
I ken you want me off your porch and out of the settlement as weel. But I’ll no’ oblige you till you answer a few questions of my own.” Her voice was cold as creek ice in January. “I don’t have to.” His blue eyes flashed a warning. “If you want tae be rid of me, you’ll answer. Or I’ll still be here come morning.” She didn’t doubt it. “You Scots are a stubborn lot.” He grinned and rolled his eyes. “And you colonials are no’?
Let honesty be as the breath of thy soul. Benjamin Franklin.
Christ’s kingdom has no frontier, ye ken.
Haste and panic were poor traveling companions, and this trip he’d reaped the consequences in spades.
If I win, you must abstain from all spirits for at least a fortnight. Not a drop.” “Not a drop,” he echoed, eyes warm with amused light. “And if I win?” She gave a little shrug and set down her cup. “Ask for whatever you wish.” He grew thoughtful, all levity gone. “’Tis customary in Ireland for a man to take his pick of any woman present and kiss her as his prize.
Her heart-her whole heart-turned over in such a poignant rush that all the strength seemed to leave her.
A ripple of amusement passed through the gathering. Cass held out his hand and Roxanna held her breath. Would he even charm a mute child? Pensive, Abby studied him before extending her own small hand. He took it, and the music began again, but not before he’d stood her little feet atop his polished boots. Around and around he danced with her, holding on to her hands, her feet firmly planted atop his own.
By the power that Christ wrought from heaven, mayst thou love me. As the sun follows its course, mayst thou follow me. As light to the eye, as bread to the hungry, as joy to the heart, may thy presence be with me, oh one that I love, ’til death comes to part us asunder.
Please, I don’t want to fall in love with you. Aye, he could honor that. But she’d not said anything about him falling in love with her.
The truth is Fort Endeavor needs you.” Confused, she shifted in her seat, darting a look at him. “I need you,” he amended quietly. “Not just your services as scrivener. I need your goodness and gentleness and strength. Sometimes I think you’re the only one I can trust, even above my own officers.
Love won’t be forced.” Nay, it would not. Love would be denied, rebuffed, cut down. Nipped in the bud long before the blossom. But never forced.
Will you forgive me for the things I said tae you when we last met? Before I went oot and slammed the door?” She looked up at him. “I came here to ask you that very thing.” Only when I saw you, I forgot. “Forgiven, then?” She softened. “You were only trying to warn me, as a friend.” “Aye, as a friend.” “I shouldn’t have sassed you so.” He smiled, or tried to. “But you are so good at it.