“Thank you.”
His smile was a little strained. “I hope you don’t pay a stiff price for your decision.”
“I won’t.”
“Do you want my wife to help you dress?”
She would have loved help, but if she was to prove she was capable of travel, she’d best start with getting herself dressed. “I’ll be just fine.”
He studied her a moment, shook his head and left the room.
Ignoring the bruises that hurt when she touched them and muscles that protested being forced to move, Louise dressed quickly. She’d barely finished when a knock came to the door. Her heart fluttered in anticipation of her visitor.
“Come in,” she called.
Nate entered. His dark blond hair had been slicked back. He’d shaved. A little nick on his chin suggested he might have hurried. “You’re up,” he said, surprise and disapproval in his tone.
“And ready to travel.”
He opened his mouth, but she held up a hand to silence his objection. “Dr. Noble said I’d be fine.” He’d also said she was strong. Just the sort of woman for this country. Perhaps Nate would see it, too.
He scooped up the baby without replying. “Kamoose said breakfast was ready.”
They said their goodbyes to Dr. and Mrs. Noble and stepped outside into the gray predawn light. Thankful that Nate chose a moderate pace, Louise walked at his side back to the hotel.
Kamoose stood upright, his eyes gleaming with what Louise took for as approval. Being a strong woman seemed to make people take notice.
Missy squealed with delight as they stepped into the dining room. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Sam, Mr. Adams and Gabe said to tell you goodbye. Rowena has joined her brother and sends her regrets that she wouldn’t be here to say goodbye.”
They sat down to the food brought by a waiter. She ate heartily, knowing it might be the last good food she’d see for a couple more days. Besides, her milk had come in and her appetite had increased as a result.
Nate finished, paid for their meal. “Wait here.”
A few minutes later, the rattle of a wagon drew Louise to the window. There was Nate standing beside a stagecoach, his horse tied to the back. The horse was not saddled. Did that mean Nate meant to continue his practice of riding inside?
It meant nothing, she tried to tell herself. He was merely concerned that her health not be the cause of delay.
But she couldn’t convince herself that was true. Nor even that it was only because he wanted to help with the baby.
No, against her better judgment, she believed it meant he wanted to be with her.
She tucked a pleased smile under her heart. Yes, she might be taking this pretend marriage a little too far, but for now she meant to enjoy the pleasure of his company.
The driver sat in his place and said something to Nate. Called him Slim.
“Slim?” she asked as he hurried into the hotel.
He chuckled. “That’s what they call me at the ranch.”
She studied him openly. “Might it be because you are tall and slim?” She guessed her eyes teased him.
He grinned back at her. “Might be. But it’s good to hear Nate from time to time.” He strode on by, leaving her smiling at the thought of his nickname. Then she jerked her attention back to the business at hand. She noticed her bags waited by the desk.
“We’re ready to leave,” he told her.
Kamoose patted Chloe on the head, shook Nate’s hand and wished him safe travels. He nodded to Missy, then he turned to Louise, touched his forehead in a kind of salute.
“You are one brave, strong woman,” he said, his voice so admiring, she could feel the heat growing in her face. “You will make your husband a proud man.”
It seemed certain her cheeks would burst into flames if she didn’t get into the cold air quickly. She murmured a thank-you and hurried for the door.
Nate followed more slowly. They reached the steps outside and he chuckled. “You certainly impressed Kamoose and that isn’t easy to do. I expect your name will become a legend. The woman who threw herself from a horse rather than let a man capture her and lived to tell about it. In fact, she continued her journey the next day with a newborn baby in her arms.”
She couldn’t tell if he meant to be admiring, teasing or disapproving and she would not look at him to determine which. She hadn’t asked for the admiration of others. Had not sought to earn it. There was only one man she wished would see her as worthy of his admiration and fidelity. And she had promised he would be required to give neither.