Page 51 of A Wanderer's Redemption
It takes me a second, but I finally see it.
“Yeah.”
The rifle fires, and the flower top falls off. When I look up, she is smiling at me. It takes everything I have not to grab her and kiss her smug face in front of everyone. “Is there anything you can’t do, Jess?”
“Meatloaf … never can get it right.”
I am not sure if it’s the bewildered look on her face or the fact that it was the first thing that came to her mind, but you can hear my laughter across the valley.
“You are a rare gem, just as Tyberius said. I’ve never met a girl from my part of the world who has quite the qualifications you do.”
“It’s not like I wanted these skills, Reggie; it was simply the life I was born into. I need to get the dishes cleaned up and lay out a few things for dinner, then I’ll be ready to head out.”
“I’ll get Zeus saddled up in the meantime, and I have an extra scabbard somewhere I’ll dig out so that the rifle is close at hand while you’re riding.” Before she turns away, my willpower caves, and I pull her close. “Jess …”
Those bright green eyes of hers peer up at me as I wipe a streak of flour off her cheek. Lowering my head to her, the kiss I’ve put off for too long is not gentle, it’s heavy and possessive. She parts her lips, and I invade with a desperate hunger that steals the breath from her lungs. It’s the sound that leaves her innocent lips that has me reluctantly pulling back.
“Go do your dishes before I can’t stop.”
Jess looks a little lightheaded, but she doesn’t say anything. Just as she turns away, I gently swat her behind, only to have her look back with wide eyes and flushed cheeks. Fighting every instinct I have, I let her walk off, watching as Henry joins her at the back of the wagon. It seems he has designated himself as her little helper. His smile is unguarded when he sees her coming closer, and she ruffles his hair playfully as he looks up at her with stars in his eyes. I watch as he races off toward the creek with a bucket in hand, and I am grateful that she has someone with her. Making my feet move, I grab Zeus’ saddle, ready to wrestle with the big man, only for him to meet me halfway up the hill, pulling the picket line out of the ground in the process.
“Good morning, Zeus. It’s time to get going, you ready to protect our girl today?”
He shakes his big head up and down, and to my shock I quickly have him saddled before leading him and Coco to the last wagon, where Jess is finishing up. She’s just climbed into the back to put the pots and plates away when Zeus pulls away from me, sticking his head through the wagon’s tarp. Jessica’s laughter reaches my ears a second later.
“Hello, handsome. Were you looking for me? Back up and let me out, and I’ll give you a treat.”
He does exactly as she says, and I stand there watching as she steps out onto the back gate, which makes her almost head level with him. She gives him a piece of a carrot before coaxing Coco over for one of her own. When she realizes her increased height and where that puts her in relation to Zeus, I can see her mind working, but because I love having her in my arms I lift her off the back, sliding her down my chest.
“Do you need to grab anything before we get started?”
“Yes, let me get the small bag I had yesterday, with a fresh waterskin and a handkerchief, so I am not eating as much dirt today.”
“Grab your jacket too. There are clouds on the horizon, and it may mean rain later.”
When Jessica goes to walk around the wagon, I’m forced to grab Zeus’ reins to keep him from following her. I swear, when that big horse looked down at me, he only stopped because he wanted to, and I was getting some serious side-eye.
“She’s coming right back.”
He snorts, looking away from me back to Coco, who seems to be ignoring all of us and looking out through the trees on the small hill next to the main trail. Jess comes back with her arms full, and I toss her into the saddle with a giggle on her lips. Once she is settled, I hand her the rifle.
“Jess, I’ll be back to check on you in a little while.”
“I’m fine, but I’ll take your company anytime.”
I pat her leg before reaching up to double-check Zeus’ halter. “Keep our girls safe, Zeus.”
He bumps me with his head, almost knocking me over, and I just shake my head, laughing as I head toward Bells, who is calmly standing next to Henry, already saddled.
“She’s all ready for you, Mr. Kerns.”
“Well, thank you, Henry. I appreciate you helping me out with her. Did Bells give you a hard time?”
“Not at all, she stood real still so that I could get her saddle on.”
I stroke Bells on her side, double-checking everything, only to be happily surprised at how well the young boy has done.
“Seems like everything is in order. Do you like horses, Henry?”
