Page 15 of Westbound Awakening

He neared his wagon and looked over his shoulder to note Ryan watched him. Without preamble he pulled the curtain aside. "Mae, are you up? We are leaving in a few minutes."

Mae sat up, blonde curls tumbled down past her shoulders, her lips were pursed and brows drawn in a frown. "Oh John, I am so tired," she rubbed her eyes, and her blanket fell down past her breasts, the thin material of her nightgown doing little to conceal what lay beneath. She didn't seem to notice and made her way to the back of the wagon toward him.

"Where are you going?" John held his hands up to stop her.

She gave him a wide-eyed look. "To the creek. I have to wash up, get ready to go. Remember what you said? "Get on with it"," Mae replied in a slow deliberate tone. She tried to push his hands aside. "John, I'm in no mood for whatever you are doing, let me by."

"The Jacobs are here. And well your nightgown…it's a bit sheer."

"Oh dear!" A bright red flush covered her face, and she fell back onto her bottom crossing her arms over her chest to conceal the most beautiful sight he'd seen in a long time, which unfortunately made him wonder if another dip in the creek was required.

"Once you are dressed, come have coffee," he muttered and went to find some for himself.

"I'm not ready to get up," Mae grumbled and kicked with her heel at the flooring for emphasis. "This has to be Miss Lady's worse idea ever."

* * *

"Why are you going to Texas, John?" Mae asked the following night as they lay in the wagon, in the darkness, trying their best not to touch. "Is that where you are from?"

Her warm breath tickled his shoulder and he fought not to turn to her. He supposed it was only fair she asked questions; after all he'd asked a lot of her. "No, I am from Northern Virginia. I am looking for someone in Texas."

"Do you plan to return to Virginia after?" She adjusted the blanket around herself, ensuring it covered up to her neck. He found her attempt at modesty endearing. "I don't know. I may stay in Texas for a bit. Although my parents are getting older and may need help with the press."

"Press?"

"Yes my father owns a printing press. It's what I did before joining the cavalry." He waited until she replied.

"Interesting." She let out a soft breath. "Who are you looking for?"

He was not quite sure how to answer her question. Who indeed? "A man, a woman and a child."

Mae turned to him and in the dimness he could make out her wide stare. "Are they outlaws? Running from the law with a child? How sad."

"No, I am no longer in the cavalry and not seeking to bring outlaws into custody. I am seeking the woman and child...my child."

"What?" Mae screeched and sat up with a jolt. "Oh God. Your wife? Did the man kidnap them?"

"No she went with him voluntarily."

"Is she your wife?"

John didn't want to delve into the subject. He wasn't even sure the child was his and if the information he had would even result in finding them. He should have kept it all to himself. "Good night Mae." He attempted to roll to his side, but her hand grabbed his arm. His lack of reply seemed to have answered the question in Mae's mind.

"Oh my God," she hissed. "You are married, and you didn't see fit to tell me."

It didn't register to him until the second hit, she attempted to slap him and missed.

"Stop it now Mae." John grabbed for her hands and held her against him until she stopped struggling. "Be quiet now or the Jacobs will hear."

"I don't care," Mae told him not bothering to keep her voice down. "How could you keep this secret?" She began to struggle again, this time he released her and she scrambled out of the wagon.

"Damn it." John got up and climbed down. He made out her white nightgown as she ran toward the creek and started to call after her. Then Ryan stuck his head out of the back of his wagon.

"Is everything all right?"

John shook his head. "She's...very angry with me right now." He looked to see Mae had disappeared from sight.

"Well go after her, and apologize John, you can't let her go around stumbling in the dark. She may get hurt," John stated matter-of-factly. "See you in the morning."