Page 43 of Westbound Awakening

John stood and followed her. "I miss you Mae. I..."

Her skirts swished around her ankles when she swung to John. "Don't John. Don't you dare say things to me that will do more than merely confuse me. Words that, once spoken, will not make me feel any better."

When his gaze swept from her eyes to her lips Mae looked toward Wesley who'd now fallen asleep in front of the fire, a wooden horse clutched in his chubby hand.

Her breathing hitched when John's lips touched hers, and she savored the feel of them as the kiss became harder, stronger. His hands slid up her arms, the skidding of his fingertips leaving a heated trail on her skin. Mae held onto his wide shoulders and kissed John back. Hoping to memorize the feel of each press and nip Mae gave in to the moment, the feel of him the taste of John McClain.

"No." She pushed away, but could not move too far as she was against the dry sink. "This is not right."

"Why? Because you're in love with Joshua?" John's bright eyes darted to Wesley who'd not budged, then back to her. "Is that it Mae?"

"Yes John, that's right. I fall in love with a different man every season. Wait until summer, perhaps it will be Alan." She pushed him aside and stormed to the doorway and peered out.

"Don't try to change my words." John came to stand beside her.

"Don't try to make me feel guilty for moving on," Mae snapped, and she glared at him. "It's not fair."

"Then it's true. You are making a go of it with Joshua." He watched her for a few moments before raking his hand through his hair. "I suppose it's to be expected. A beautiful woman like you is a treasure."

Mae rolled her eyes and watched the horizon. As soon as Wesley woke, it was time to leave. "Never took you for a poet McClain."

"How do you feel about me?" John took her shoulders and held her still, his eyes boring into hers.

"What?" Mae could only gawk back at him. "I can't answer that right now. Why would you ask me that John?"

This time the kiss was soft and brief. His chest moved with his faster breathing when he straightened, dropping his hands to his sides. "Answer the question Mae."

"Give me a reason for your question? Tell me why should I reconsider a relationship with Joshua?" She looked into his eyes, but could not make out anything from the flat expression.

Eyes locked with hers, he let out a deep breath looking as if in pain. "You're right. I cannot offer you anything Mae."

"So you say. It's time for me to go." Mae went around him to fetch the sleeping child.

"I hungry," Wesley announced upon waking. Bundled next to her, the child wiped his eyes and looked up at her. Just the sight of the gray eyes so alike his fathers made her stomach pitch.

"Here sweetie." Mae handed the boy a piece of leftover bread she'd saved for him. "We're almost home."

Home. Soon it would not be his home. He'd go live with John, and the other half of her heart would be taken from her.

24

Alan spotted Lucinda Roberts by the same fence, this time dressed in a bright yellow dress. Like a ray of sunshine against the backdrop of the cloudy skies, trees and pasture she stood with her head cocked to the side and studied the horizon, not seeming to see what was before her at all. Whatever weighed heavily on her mind kept her from noticing him until he was but a scant foot from her.

Her eyes immediately narrowed and her full lips thinned as she considered him. "It's not polite to sneak up on a person Mister Murphy," she told him speaking down her nose. "But I suppose manners are not adhered to here in the west."

"Miss Roberts." Alan tipped his hat. "Seems the fresh air is not to your liking."

"True, I'd rather not be here." She replied taking a step away from him. "There is nothing here for me."

"You haven't given it a chance."

"I've been to Texas before. It was not a welcoming place. I hate it."

"Experiences do have a way of changing a place for us don't they?"

Lucinda huffed and picked up her skirts. "Please don't attempt to act as if you understand me."

"Excuse me?" Anger simmered and Alan stared at the frustrating woman. "I am attempting to hold a conversation with you Luciana. Trying to understand you. That's all."