Page 61 of A Wanderer's Redemption
“Where is Reg?”
“He’s at the barn. We brought several wagons with us, and I believe two of them go to his cousin, Mr. Hayes.”
“Well, they may need help to unload them. I’ll send a few of my men out to help. If any of those things are Grant’s, it’s not small.”
“The oxen struggled the last ten miles with their weight. We had to stop several times to let them rest.”
This entire time, Beatrice has been holding onto my arm, but suddenly she is petting my hand. “Oh, that reminds me, I have a new tablecloth for Lauren. Would you mind giving it to her, dear?”
“I would be glad to.”
“Step in with me while I grab it. Harvey, if Reggie shows up, tell him to wait a moment.”
She turns from me, unlocking the door to her shop and I will say, I am impressed when I walk in after her as she opens the curtains to let some light in.
“Go ahead and look around, dear. It won’t take me but a moment to wrap this up.”
Several hats catch my attention, along with an apron lined with delicate flowers that I would be scared to use unless it was a special occasion. Bolts of material line well-organized shelves, and pieces of unfinished dresses hang off several mannequins. I am just heading toward the ribbons when the door opens, and Reggie sticks his head in.
“You ready?”
“Yes.” Before I can take a step toward him, she comes strolling out.
“It’s my fault Reggie, I dragged her in here. She put up a good battle, but as you can see, I won. Here, child and thank you for taking this to Lauren. She has been waiting on this for a few weeks now, due to the delay of the batting coming in.”
Reggie holds the door open for me, then kisses Beatrice on the cheek when she follows us out.
“Always a charmer. Young lady, you are lucky I am not twenty years younger, I or would steal him away.”
“He is easy to love.”
The words come out before I can stop them, and I see Reggie stop and look at me with a knowing smirk on his arrogant face. Bells nibbles on my hand gently when I go to pet her, as Reggie ties on the few bags I didn’t have him put in the wagon. He mounts her, then reaches down for me, placing me sideways across his lap.
“I can ride behind you.”
“Yes, you can, but I like having you in my arms.”
Before I can say another thing, he is turning Bells away, and I wave back at the older man and Beatrice before squirming around to get more comfortable.
“Keep that up young lady, and you’ll not like the consequences.”
Reggie waits for the wagons at the edge of town, but when it’s apparent that there is a well-marked trail, he motions to Jacob, who is in the lead for a change that we are going to ride on. I lean back against his strong arm, his hat shading most of my face when I glance up at him.
“What are you looking at? What’s going through that brain of yours?”
“Nothing and everything.”
I want to ask him,how are you going to introduce me to your family? Why are you still telling people I am your wife? Are we going to pretend forever?But I am a coward, even though I know pushing the problem away will not fix it. Nonetheless, I turn away, looking out over the huge valley we are riding through toward the large, snow-capped mountain tops in the distance.
Birds and flying grasshoppers fill the air around us, and I just relax, letting myself enjoy the moment in Reggie’s arms. Because I am looking the other way when he turns abruptly up a small bank, I have to grab onto him.
“Warn a girl next time.”
“You were in … what did you call it … oh, yes, Jessicaville, and I was jealous, as I want all your attention.”
“Bossy aren’t you?”
“I am an only child, you know. I am used to getting all the attention, so I don’t share well.”
