Page 14 of Westbound Awakening

When she finally approached, the woman now stood next to the man, his arm protectively around her shoulders. When Mae neared them, the man's eyes widened just a bit, enough Mae noticed. How she hated the reaction she brought out in men. It was always the same, quickly masked interest like now or a leering expectation. She plastered a fake smile on her face and closed the distance until she stood next to John.

"Mae, this is Mister and Misses Jacobs." John motioned to the couple smiling at her.

The man spoke first. "I'm Ryan, and this is my wife Patricia." He held out his hand, and she noted his eyes were now gentle when meeting hers. When she held her hand out, his fingers wrapped around it. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Missus McClain."

Her back stiffened, and she refused to look at John. The woman's smile became brighter when Mae turned to her. Instead of shaking her hand, the tiny brunette threw her arms around Mae and embraced her. "I am so happy your husband has agreed to allow us to ride with you the rest of the way to Texas. I've been so lonely for female companionship." The woman gushed. Mae noted upon closer inspection Patricia Jacobs was a pretty woman, her dark brown eyes seeming to fill her face, a sprinkle of freckles across her nose making her seem young.

"Oh," Mae replied finally meeting John's steady gaze. "Well welcome. Please, come sit by the fire. Are you hungry? There is some stew left."

"No thank you and please call me Patty." The women stayed close to Mae's side as they walked away from the men. "We ate not so long ago and were looking for a place to make camp and spend the night away near water when we happened upon your husband and the wagon."

While the men unhitched the horses and led them to the nearby creek, Mae sat back down in the same place where she'd just gotten up from minutes earlier. Patty Jacobs eyed her with curiosity. "Your husband told us you are newlyweds. It must be hard for you to be on such a hard trip so soon after being wed."

"Yes, well it wasn't exactly planned," Mae started and then wondered how much John had said. "Nonetheless, it has not been too dreadful."

The men returned and the four of them drank coffee, discussing the travel ahead. Finally Ryan stood and stretched. "Well folks, we appreciate it plenty you're allowing us to ride together. For safety reasons, I feel better knowing there are two men to keep these beautiful ladies protected." His eyes lingered on his wife, and Mae had to look away at the affection glances crossed between them.

"You told them we were married?" Mae asked, as the couple disappeared into the back of their wagon. "How are we going to pull this off for the rest of the journey?"

"I had to. I agree with Ryan. The deeper we get to untamed territory, the safer it will be with two men. Besides, he is a clergyman," John replied as if it explained everything. He stood dusting his pants. "I'll get my bedroll."

"Don't you think they will suspect you lied when you sleep out here, and I sleep in the back of the wagon?"

He hadn't thought. She could tell by the way his eyes flew to their wagon and back to her. "I…er…damn." John slumped back down. "I don't know what I was thinking. I should have told them we were brother and sister."

"Right." Mae stood and looked down at him. "Come John, it's getting late. Let's go to sleep. I promise not to touch you." She smirked at his shocked expression and walked away.

John was smart enough to stay outside the wagon until she settled onto the makeshift bed in the back of the wagon. She'd pushed as many goods as she could to the front to allow more space sideways. Her stomach flipped when he climbed in and sat next to her. Without preamble, he removed his shirt and lay with his back to her while leaving plenty of space between them. "Good night Mae."

"Good night John," She replied and lay on her back as well, listening to his breathing until a soft snore sounded. Then she finally was able to relax. Through the darkness, she couldn't make out much, but she noted how, up close, his back was quite wide, tapering to a slender waist. Heat emanated from his large body, and she wanted nothing more than to snuggle against it for warmth. Instead she pulled a blanket over him and a separate one over herself.

What would the morning bring? They still had another two weeks of travel, and somehow they would have to keep up the pretense of being married. Of all the things she'd endured so far, this would be the hardest. The stagecoach would have been a lot less trouble.

She'd been smitten with him upon meeting him five years ago when he arrived to Widow's Peak, and it lasted through the years and his long absences when the regiment was sent away. Each time he returned to town, she'd found a way to catch glimpses of him in town or when he'd ridden by to corral up his men. Rarely when he did enter her house to see about his men, she'd memorized each word he spoke and each expression.

Her feelings had changed over the years. No longer a young impressionable girl, she now knew without a doubt and no matter how much she tried to tell herself otherwise, she loved John McClain. He was her impossible. She'd accepted it long ago and kept the feelings locked inside. If only she keep it from affecting her in any manner when near him. Her brain understood the danger of it, the hurt would come from the feeling, of course her foolish heart didn't know any better. It didn't understand the sentiment would never be returned. If anything the next few days would give her some memories to keep for the rest of her life. She relaxed and closed her eyes to await slumber.

A sunray broke through the cover on the back of the wagon crossing over her face and Mae's eyes flickered open. John was now sprawled on his back; one arm over his eyes the other across his chest. Mae studied the tendrils of hair splayed on the blanket next to her. His hair was too long; maybe she'd ask if he would like her to cut it. She reached over to touch it when he spoke and she drew her hand back.

"Good morning." The grogginess of his voice told her he's just woken.

"How did you know I was awake?"

He huffed with impatience. "Your breathing pattern changed." John's sat up and reached for his shirt. "Best get on with it. We need to be on the road." He grumbled and climbed out of the wagon putting distance between them.

"Well now I know you're not in the best mood in the mornings." She called after him. "God, I'm so tired of traveling," Mae mumbled and rolled onto his empty spot wrapping the discarded blanket over her head. She inhaled his scent, and closed her eyes.

8

John practically sprinted to the creek. It was torture for him to lie next to Mae and not make her his. His entire body demanded it. When he reached the water and splashed the cold liquid onto his face, his breathing hitched from the shock. How would he survive another night, much less several next to her and not touch her? She'd made it easy for him the night before by bantering and then ensuring there was more space. It wasn't enough, as he'd woken several times during the night when they'd touched, either her leg moving against him or his hand against her back.

He groaned and ran his hand down his front rubbing away the throbbing between his legs. When it didn't help at all, he yanked his clothes off and sank into the creek. The frigid water took his breath away, but the result was exactly what he needed. It would only be a few minutes before he had to surface, but he hoped it would serve to keep him from embarrassing himself in front of the Jacobs'.

Shivering, he dressed and went to see about breakfast. Nearing the camp, he saw the Jacobs were already up and getting the fire started. Ryan placed the coffee pot onto the flames while his wife went past John toward the creek. "Good morning John," She murmured looking up at him. "Is Mae up yet?"

"Yes," John replied looking to his wagon, the curtain remained closed. "I will check on her."

"Ryan said you planned to leave at sunrise, so we're ready when you are." She smiled and continued on her way.