She smiled. “I’ll do my best.” She was the last to climb aboard.
Nate swung to his saddle and followed the departing stage, riding to the side where Louise sat, so he could watch her as they traveled.
They climbed up the steep side of the coulee to level prairie and looked down on the river and town for the last time. From here on, the road grew rougher, the accommodations more primitive. If not for Vic, Nate would never have embarked on this journey with Louise, though he knew she would have gone without his approval. And without his protection.
Four miles later, they crossed the Teton River and continued on the Whoop-Up Trail that would take them to Fort Macleod in Canada.
The wheels rolled on and on, occasionally hitting a rut and pitching forward, then jerking back. Each time he glanced at Louise, worried how she managed the rough ride.
After the first bump, she looked out the window at him. Their gazes caught and held, hers steady, as if informing him she was doing fine.
But by the third jolt, her gaze was less certain. Her lips grew thinner and her eyelids twitched.
When they stopped for their first change of horses, he rushed to help her down. “This is too difficult for you.”
She stood straight, even though the effort caused her to flinch. “I am fine. Besides, what do you suggest I do? Stay here?” She pointed to the crude setup—a run-down cabin and corrals, and a hard-looking man with a cigarette hanging from his mouth.
She patted his arm. “I’m fine,” she repeated. “How are you doing?” She touched the hole in his coat sleeve where the bullet had gone through.
He didn’t bother to answer. After all, what more could he say than what he’d already said?
“Are you sure it’s wise to travel with your injury? Are you warm enough?” she asked, her voice overly sweet and solicitous.
He chuckled. “You’re mocking me.”
“Maybe a little. How does it feel?”
“A little annoying, if you must know.”
“Exactly. So stop fussing at me.”
He grinned. It was good to see she still had a hefty dose of fight in her. “Guess you’re feeling better than I thought. Good enough to be a little feisty.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Best you remember it.” And she made her way gingerly toward the coach.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll remember.” He rushed after her to assist her up the steps. Seeing her fall down them once—or more accurately, yanked down them—was enough for him.
But remembering not to fuss was easier promised than done. As they continued, crossing more bumps than he thought possible, his concern for her grew.
It wasn’t helped any when Sam said, “I’d sooner sit a bucking horse any day than spend another hour tossed about in that cage.”
“Is it that bad?” Nate glanced toward Louise, who used the next break to splash water on her face.
“Say, why don’t you ride inside and I’ll ride the horse,” Sam asked. Then realizing he might have provided a good reason for Nate to refuse him, he quickly added, “I’m just tired of being cooped up when I could be enjoying wide-open spaces.” Sam glanced around. Nothing but prairie to see, but he smiled as if it was the best scenery in the world.
Nate could have saved him the effort of trying to convince him. He was only too happy to ride inside where he could be with Louise.
When he helped Louise into the coach and followed her, she said, “What are you doing?”
“Sam begged to trade places.”
The three ladies sat on one side. Nate made sure he got the spot directly across from Louise and sat down.
She studied him long and hard.
He grinned and shrugged. “I didn’t have the heart to refuse. After all, I know how hard it is for a cowboy to be stuck inside for hours at a time. Isn’t that right, boys?” He turned to the pair beside him.
“That’s right, ma’am,” the older of the two new men said. “Not that I’m a cowboy, of course.” He introduced himself as Archie Adams. “This is my son, Gabe. We’re planning to open a hardware business in Fort Macleod.” He turned to Nate. “I understand you’ve been there. What’s it like?”