Luke's Cut

He could see that. “Why?”

“Do you want me to guess?”

“No.” He wanted an answer. Josie was lying there so still, her breathing shallower than normal. Her face was pale but she was perspiring heavily. Reaching down, he slid his hand behind her. Her back was soaked.

“What is wrong with her, mi hijo?” Tia asked, coming alongside.

The hard bone of a stiff corset bruised his fingertips. Why the hell was she wearing a corset out here? Was she crazy?

“Might be the heat got to her.”

Tia crossed herself. “That is not good.”

No it wasn’t.

Tia shook the water jug hanging on the side of the wagon. Liquid sloshed. She clucked her tongue. “The pobrecita. The water is untouched. She forgot to drink.”

And he’d forgotten to remind her. “Damn.”

“So we are back to heat,” Stefano concluded.

Heat and carelessness. Luke checked the pulse in her throat. Her skin was smooth and hot under his fingers. Her pulse was steady but fast. This was his fault. He’d been too busy sparking her temper to pay attention to what Josie had been doing—or what she hadn’t. Not drinking enough water was a typical tenderfoot mistake. He knew it as well as he knew his name. There was no excuse for his negligence. He touched her cheek, which was beginning to show a hint of sunburn. She deserved better.

Tia clucked her tongue. “I should have checked on her.”

“Who would think she would not drink?” Stefano sighed.

Tia shook her head. “Apparently none of us.”

For sure, it’d been a long time since an Easterner had landed at Hell’s Eight. Josie’s lashes fluttered.

“Josie,” he called sharply. She didn’t respond. He tried again, grabbing her by the shoulders, shaking her lightly. “Wake up, woman.”

“Here, mi hijo.” Tia handed him a wet handkerchief.

“Thank you.” He wiped Josie’s face carefully. Her skin was so pale, so delicate. As he wiped, a light dusting of freckles appeared.

How the hell had he missed that she had freckles? Looking down at the cloth, he got his answer. She’d put some kind of powder on them to cover up. He shook his head. There was no understanding women sometimes.

He shook her again. “Come on, Josie. Wake up.”

“See if she will drink this,” Tia said.

Taking the cup Tia passed him, he trickled a little water over her dry lips. The clear liquid pooled at the corners before sliding down over her cheeks and neck leaving a trail in the pale powder.

She groaned. He held the cup to her lips, tipping a little into her mouth. “Drink.”

Half-conscious, she frowned.

“Don’t fight me on this, woman. Drink.”

Parting those sexy lips, she sipped.

“She’ll be all right?” Stefano asked.

“Yes.” He wouldn’t allow otherwise. He smoothed the moisture over her cracked lips and tipped the cup again. “More.”

“She needs to get out of the sun,” Ed called, limping over.

He was right. The shadow he was casting over her merely darkened her expression, emphasizing her distress rather than providing any real relief.

“True enough.”

Across the way, he saw the scout nod to Zach before heading out. He could tell from the slap of the reins against his boot Zach was worried. And rightly so. A Comanche sighting was never good news. They needed to keep moving.

Handing Ed the cup, Luke gathered Josie up. She struggled a little before settling into his arms as if she belonged there. The corset pressed into his forearm. He didn’t know why she wore one. They were impractical as hell. A woman couldn’t move in one, let alone breathe. While those restrictions might be fine and feminine back East, out here those restrictions could be a death sentence. The wagon creaked and dipped as he backed awkwardly down the steps. As his boots hit the grass, her petticoats caught on the brake lever, yanking him up short.

“Shit.”

“Hold on.” Ed reached over and tugged at them. There was a slight rip and then “There you go.”

“Thanks.”

Ed frowned as Luke carried Josie toward the back of the wagon. “I thought she’d handle the trip better.”

“She is not used to our heat,” Tia fussed, hurrying to get to the rear of the wagon before Luke. Her gait, he noted, was not as easy as it used to be. There was a stiffness in one hip. He shook his head, remembering his conversation with Ace. Damn.

She opened the back door, revealing the interior. Hot air rushed out.

At least the pallet on the floor was clear, he noted.

“Be careful,” Tia cautioned as he propped Josie on the edge of the pallet, leaving her feet dangling over the side.

“Aren’t I always?”

Tia clucked her tongue. “Hardly.”

“Ed?” Luke called to the front.

“Yes?”

“Could you water the nag? We don’t need him dropping from exhaustion, too.” If they had to run for it, he needed the gelding ready.

“Stefano is already on it.”

He wasn’t surprised. Zach only kept on good men. “Thanks.”

A tug on his shirt drew his gaze. Josie’s lips moved.