The Unlikely Wife

It was best not to even think about her. He would think about Annie; that should bring him back to his senses. Oddly enough, he had a little trouble remembering her face. He remembered the pain when she turned down his proposal, however.

When he got word that his uncle had died, he had requested leave to go home and asked Annie to join him. He had pictured a small wedding with some of his family but had offered to marry her in Dodge before they left. He had known he would be reporting to the new fort upon his return.

She had turned him down. Life as a soldier’s wife wasn’t for her. She didn’t want to move from fort to fort and worry about her husband every time he rode away. And he couldn’t blame her.

He didn’t feel heartbroken, exactly. But she had been a sweet, quiet, gentle woman who would have made a good helpmate. If she couldn’t tolerate his life, what woman could?

He shook off the loneliness. He would miss Annie, of course. And that was why he found his teasing little charge at all attractive. And no doubt that explained why he kept picturing one of his medals dangling from the breast of her uniform blouse.

“He sent out a hunting party,” Brooks announced as soon as Rebecca crawled into the seat beside him.

“You’re sure?” Rebecca caught sight of the bay as the column started up an incline. He was closer than he had been the day before. Half the troops had been pulled out of formation and positioned along either side of the caravan.

“Sergeant was asking for the best marksmen,” Brooks said. “Sent out five. Don’t get me wrong, ma’am. I don’t begrudge you a good meal. Nor them other ladies neither.”

“But?” she prompted.

“But nothing. I’m just talking. What did you think of the old man’s story last night? You reckon we’re in for trouble?”

Rebecca shrugged. “I don’t think we’re especially vulnerable. Besides, most of the trouble’s west of here.”

“Ain’t that the way we’re going?”

Rebecca had to grin at him. “As a matter of fact, it is. But didn’t you join the army to fight Indians?”

“No, ma’am. I joined to eat. And I think I made a mistake.”

Rebecca knew the soldier was at least half serious, but she couldn’t help laughing. “The army doesn’t want you getting too fat for your uniform.”

“The army don’t have to worry.”

He smiled but it wasn’t very pleasant. Rebecca turned away, preferring to watch the lieutenant’s back. “Oh, look!” she cried. “Another visitor.”

As before, Forrester stopped the column and rode forward to meet the stranger. Rebecca wished she was with him to know who it was and what news he might have brought. In a moment the two came riding back, but Forrester didn’t signal the column to move. Instead they skirted the troops and cantered toward them.

Rebecca spared the stranger barely a glance. Forrester was such a pleasure to watch. He rode as if he had been born to it, his back straight, his head high. He drew up beside the ambulance with the slightest touch on the reins. She smiled, knowing he had to have seen her watching him.

He showed no sign, however. “Miss Huntington,” he said. “Mr. Kolchek has an invitation for you.”

Rebecca turned to the stranger. Evidently Forrester hadn’t warned him about her attire. It took him a moment to find his voice.

“Miss Huntington,” he said, snatching off his hat. “I understand you’re one of three women traveling with the soldiers.”

“That’s right,” she said, smiling.

“I own a ranch west a ways. It doubles as a stage station. We’d be pleased to have you ladies as our guests at noon. And the lieutenant, if you can persuade him.”

“That’s most kind of you,” Rebecca said, beaming. “My aunt especially will be grateful for the change of scene, not to mention diet”

“And clothes,” Forrester added.

Rebecca sent him a wicked grin.

Kolchek looked from Rebecca to the lieutenant and back. “Yes, well. I best be headed home to see that everything is ready.”

He turned his horse and rode away. Forrester turned to follow, but Rebecca stopped him. “Lieutenant What did he mean if I can persuade you?”

Forrester hesitated. “We’ll arrive in a little over an hour. You ladies might want to change as we travel. I’ll try to give you plenty of time to enjoy Mr. Kolchek’s hospitality, but you can’t have the whole of the afternoon.”

He started away again.

“Wait!” He was polite enough to turn back, and his irritation was barely visible. “Aren’t you eating with us?”

“That depends.” This time he turned away with enough resolve she didn’t try to call him back.

She sank down into the seat and watched him go. In a moment they were moving again.

“He’ll eat with you,” Brooks said, startling her. She had nearly forgotten him.

“Depends on what?” she wondered aloud. Didn’t he want to eat with her?

Brooks shrugged. “Care to make a friendly bet?” he asked in a low voice.

She laughed. “Want me to bring you a steak if you’re right?”

“I got more on my mind than food. I was thinking more like a kiss.”

Rebecca’s stomach turned queasy. She tried to laugh it off. “What do I get if I win?”

He was quiet for a moment than offered softly, “You could bet the same thing.”

“No deal,” she said, trying not to sound as revolted as she felt. “Gambling’s frowned on in the army.”

“Is kissing, too?” he whispered. “We could skip the bet and go straight to the payoff.”

“I need to go change.” She rose to climb over the seat, taking more care than usual not to touch him.

“I’ll be thinking of you,” he whispered.

Rebecca scrambled under the canvas and tied the front flap in place. She turned to find Belle and Alicia staring at her. Had they been listening to her conversation with Brooks? They could hardly blame her for what he said.

“Did you hear we’ve been invited to dine at a stage station?” she asked, making her way to the back of the rocking wagon. It seemed unbearably close. She pulled aside the canvas to let in a hint of a breeze, realizing how peculiar that might seem after tying the front flap.

“It’s not proper,” Aunt Belle said.

“Proper? Aunt Belle, I’m sure they invite most travelers to eat with them.”

“I mean the way you talk to that lieutenant. You are far too familiar. He’s bound to remember how you made eyes at him on the train.”