He noticed the way she looked at him out of the corner of his eye. She watched him with an unknown want in her eyes. The open desire and fearful confusion her gaze held stunned him. That look made him wonder at the woman she really was under the tough exterior. When she wasn’t looking at him, he found himself staring at her. She was beautiful to look upon. A strong jawline and high cheekbones that were framed by a mass of blond hair that looked like a soft cloud of waves.
When they talked about where they wanted to go in the world, he truly could picture her dripping in chains of gold and nothing else. The image had taken his breath away as he’d imagined a sight he’d never dreamed of before in his life. She truly was a goddess in his mind. And if she’d mentioned Greece, he could have pictured her there easily as well in one of those white gowns that tied on the shoulders. A toga? It stupefied him this strange intensity he felt towards the prickly young woman he travelled with.
“Goodnight,” she said quietly and lay down opposite of him. He watched as she rolled onto her side, facing away from the fire. The curve of her hips under the blanket made his fingertips itch to follow the indentation of her waist. The bounty hunter was right. He was distracted, and it was dangerous.
Elias needed to find Emily and put distance between himself and Holladay before he did something he regretted or made an ass out of himself. There was no room in his life for a woman or a family. And at this point, he was willing to settle for whatever location Emily chose. He simply didn’t care anymore. His mind was finding a way to put the lovely Miss Holladay into the mental picture he created in each location he thought of. This would only create problems if he found himself hung up on her, especially once she found out that he was a wanted man.
The next morning, Elias awoke before Holladay and made coffee for them both. He’d been quite surprised at how she travelled. The woman was driven and didn’t stop unless need demanded it. She didn’t eat much and didn’t tarry along the way. He was in dire need of a bath, a full meal and a decent bed. The last thing he wanted was to have another day pass without a cup of coffee or a bit of whiskey in his stomach. Playing cards, listening to the men in town and sizing up his next victim, he’d grown quite fond of how relaxed and warm the whiskey made his stomach feel. It was a comforting feeling and something he’d not found sleeping under the stars. He thought himself soft at first, but now he rather likened it to wanting to have a sense of peace, home or belonging.
“Good morning sleepyhead,” he said loudly. “You want some coffee and jerky?”
“Ugh,” she said with a loud groan and frowned at him. She pushed back that thick fall of hair from her head. Several pieces of hair had escaped from her braid during the night. This instantly made him picture her with her hair down and wondering what she’d look like as she woke up with him. In bed.
Swallowing a large sip of coffee, he began to cough as the hot liquid scalded his throat. Anything to keep his mind off the lovely woman. Maybe he should leave and go about finding Emily on his own. Watching her stretch her arms and rebraid her hair, he stared as the sinewy limbs worked quickly, making her shirt pull tight against her bosom. He realized that he’d rather cut off his arm with a dull knife than leave Holladay behind.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah,” he strangled out sheepishly. “Went down the wrong way.”
“I could tell. Is the coffee that bad?”
“Nawww, it’s pretty good. Here,” he said, offering a small cup to her. He watched the hesitation on her face and the acceptance.
“Thank you.”
“Not much of a morning person are you?”
“Actually, I am usually up before dawn and on the road.”
“I meant that you don’t wait for breakfast or coffee. It’s just go, go, go.”
“There’s a need.”
“Yes. But there is a need to feed yourself, too.”
“I can eat on horseback,” she countered, taking a sip and smiling. He liked that warm smile that eased her expression. Her eyes were closed peacefully like she was taking in the flavor of the drink. It was a bit stronger than he usually drank it, but it looked to be right up her alley.
“I don’t doubt it. But I’m sure your horse wouldn’t like you boiling coffee on its back.”
“Don’t be silly,” she said lightly. He watched her take another sip and close her eyes in delight yet again. “That’s really good.”
“I’m glad.” He found himself actually meaning it. He was glad. The longer he stayed with Holladay, the more he got a chance to see a new facet to her personality. She intrigued him to no end.
“No, I usually just have hardtack, jerky or skip breakfast altogether. Why cook when there is just me, you know? It seems like a waste.”
“That is the problem. It’s just you and you think it’s a waste. You should be wined and dined,” he started and stared as she laughed boisterously. She was shy and didn’t value herself. Unbelievable! He was stunned that this beautiful woman thought the idea of being courted and dined seemed out of reach.
“Stop it,” she giggled. “No one is wining and dining me. Don’t be silly.”
“I’m serious. If you help me find my sister, I’d like to take you to the nicest restaurant in these here parts for dinner as a thank you.”
“If we find your sister, you can save your money and replace my knife and boots,” she countered quickly, looking away from him.
“And take you to dinner?” he prompted again.
“Whatever suits you,” she said, smirking, and drank her coffee. It was like she didn’t believe that he would actually do as he said. Elias found himself watching the way her lips turned up at the cup as she hid a mysterious smile that enchanted him. He found himself a bit miffed at the fact that she was brushing him off.
“So, are we talking again? Or are you still upset with me?” she asked suddenly, her brow creased with a frown.
“I’m not upset with you. I’m more upset with the fact that you probably have it exactly right. I was a lousy lookout for my sister,” he admitted quietly. “I’m mad at myself for it.”
“Well, don’t be. Learn from it and move on.”
“Oh, I have learned,” he said wryly. “Learned quite a bit about my screw-ups and what not to do.”
“Then get past it all and don’t dwell on it. We need to find your sister and the sooner we get started the better. I figure if you were right that the tracks were headed this way then we should be coming up on them soon. Maybe we should ask about in town if someone has seen Emily.”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
“Then let’s get started.” Holladay stood up quickly, dusting off her pants. She hurriedly yanked on a sock and her boot, reaching for the other one.
“Don’t you want to finish the coffee?”
“Did I mention that this small town has the best kolaches in North Texas?”
“What’s a kolache?”
“A bite of heaven,” she said with a smile, pulling on her other boot and getting to her feet. “Kolaches are some sort of pastry with fruit jams and fillings. They are sweet but spectacular.”
Elias smiled wickedly and eagerly turned his cup over, pouring the coffee straight onto the ground as he stared at Holladay in a silent challenge. The coffee splattered in the dirt near his foot, but he didn’t care that the brew was sending little bits of mud onto his nice boots. He wanted to see her radiant face smile at him again.
“I’m ready for this bite of heaven you seem to have discovered. I have a devilish sweet tooth.” She laughed in reaction and overturned her own cup in the same fashion as he did. He was completely entranced by this smiling, laughing side of her personality. It was like the wall had not sprouted up yet around her person. She was showing an open, approachable side that hit him like a blow to the stomach. He found his heart thumping and he was grinning like an idiot.
“Let’s go!” she agreed eagerly.
They quickly gathered up their gear and rode into t
own. Elias would occasionally find Holladay watching him out of the corner of his eye and found it hard not to do the same. She was excited to be getting the pastries she’d mentioned, and he found himself almost as eager. His self-proclaimed sweet tooth was nothing to laugh at. Emily had teased him mercilessly at his first sampling of pecan divinity two months ago. He wouldn’t forget the way that it stuck to his teeth, but the creamy vanilla taste made him weak in the knees. She’d laughed and laughed at him. He’d never had anything like it before. He had let a loud groan escape and took a seat to process the rush of heaven he’d just tasted.
He would bet his horse that kissing Holladay would be even sweeter. Someday, he thought. He swore to himself that he would pull her into his arms and taste her lips.
“This is it!” she exclaimed suddenly with delight, interrupting his train of thought.
Eli glanced up at the small building and noticed that it wasn’t much to look at. But inside the panes of glass, the room was full of people at a counter. He nearly pulled back as he realized that the town looked a bit familiar and prayed that he wouldn’t be recognized if they had been here before.
“Let’s get the kolaches and go, okay?”
“Sounds good to me,” she replied amicably, dismounting and heading inside, leaving him outside with the horses. Holladay didn’t wait for any man. She was a woman on a mission. She wanted those kolaches and he wondered idly if she would go after him in the same fashion if he played his cards right.
“You coming inside?” Her blond head peeked out the open doorway, looking at him.
“Yep, just tying the horses,” he said quickly, sliding down and hurrying to catch up to her eager face. Holladay was enchanting. She was practically giddy looking towards the counter, peering over the other people’s shoulders. It wasn’t proper or delicate, but anxious and almost childlike. He could just imagine her as a young girl ready to open her Christmas presents.
“You really like these things, don’t you?”
“Oh my, yes!” she breathed, looking directly up at him in the crowded space for the first time. She barely came to his chin and her blue eyes were alight with an intensity that made him feel like he’d just had a bite of the pecan divinity again. He found himself staring, mesmerized at her open expression.
She was breathtaking.
Kiss her, you fool! he thought and gave in to the desire, leaning forward slowly regardless of the people around him. She stared up at him, frozen. He knew the exact moment that the wall went up around her. He could see her unhindered gaze shutter off, protecting herself. The prickly woman was back and she stepped back away from him quickly.
Sheesh!
“What are you doing?” she asked warily. The moment was gone and the sounds around him came rushing in. He didn’t even notice how silent the world grew when he was completely focused on those pink lips that were pursed with annoyance now towards him.
“You had something in your hair,” he quickly responded and plucked an imaginary speck from the top of her head.
“Oh. Yeah, thanks. I’m good though. What do you want? Peach?”
“Whatever is your favorite,” he said blankly, staring at her as he found himself wanting desperately to see the open, happy expression on her face again.
Holladay frowned and turned away from him. Eli felt like the sun had set suddenly, causing a chill in the air around him. Goodness, this woman was bothering him something fierce! The sooner he found Emily, the faster he could get out of town and away from her. He fully recognized that not only did the bounty hunter have the ability to take him in to jail but she could also crush him mentally as well. It would be about self-preservation if he left quickly.
He didn’t even hear her order. It was when her guarded face turned around while she was clutching two large pieces of brown paper that he realized she’d ordered and paid for their breakfast. “I was going to get this,” he stammered, shocked.
“My idea, my treat,” she shrugged. “Just don’t get all funny on me, okay? If I have something in my hair, leave it. I don’t care much for people getting too close to me physically.”
“Duly noted,” he said carefully, fighting the disappointment that flared in him and accepted the paper. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Now eat up. And if you don’t like apple, give it to me and we’ll just get you something else,” she offered simply.
“What did you get?”
“Peach and apple,” she said slowly, her face reddening.
“You got two of them?” he asked, surprised and a bit offended that he wouldn’t get two as well. If they were as good as she claimed, then he was going to want more than just one.
“Don’t judge me! I bought, so I can get as many as I want,” she said mulishly. Eli laughed heartily and glanced at the counter that had a variety of platters smeared with fruit jams and drizzles of what looked to be frosting.
“They are that good, huh?”
“Very much so.”
“Sir?” Eli quickly called out over Holladay’s head towards the man behind the counter. “We need to get a few more please. One of each?”
“What are you doing?”
“Feeding my curiosity. Isn’t it obvious?”
“You don’t like apple?”
“I didn’t say that,” he said with a smile, winking at her. “If they are as good as you say, I want to try the apple, peach and – is that mince? I like mincemeat pie!”
“I’m not sure. The brown looks a bit disturbing.”
“It’s just raisins, apples and spices. You haven’t had mince before?”
“No.”
“Then you’ll have to try it. Hold this and don’t eat it please,” he teased, handing her his folded piece of brown paper that held the kolache. Eli quickly paid the man and thanked him. There was a good chance he wouldn’t be back this way ever again. If this was a delicacy in the area, he found himself wanting to sample every bit of it with her. He grabbed the laden package that was wrapped with twine. “Let’s go.”
“You don’t want to sit down somewhere and eat?”
“We’ll snack on them through the day. Let’s find Emily. If we are on horseback, then you can’t see me shoving my kolache into my gullet.”
“And you can’t see me licking my fingers,” she nodded with a faint smile. “Sounds like a solid plan.”
“Exactly. You enjoy your two kolaches and don’t worry. I won’t steal them from you.”
“Good. I’d hate to have to shoot you for petty theft,” she mocked and quickly turned to get on her horse.
Elias stood completely still, like the air had escaped his lungs. It was a simple, innocent reminder of the difference between the two of them. He was a thief. He stole from the rich in order to get by. It was stolen money that paid for the kolaches he was about to share with her. What would she think if she knew how he’d made his living? Not as a farmer, as he’d claimed but as a thief. A wanted man.
Find Emily and go, he thought. Go, before he is shot by the woman he’s beginning to care for. He got up on his horse silently and followed behind Holladay as she turned her mare towards the dirt road. Distracted, he bit into the kolache and didn’t taste a thing. His mind was wrapped around the idea of having his fragile world yanked from him and it tasted like defeat.
They rode silently for quite a while until Holladay suddenly yanked back on her reins. Her wary face glanced back at him and he realized something was wrong. The kolaches she’d bragged about and craved still sat in the wrapped package in his saddlebag, untouched. His heart hammered in his chest at the unknown. What had caused her alarm? He opened his mouth to ask and saw her eyebrows frown heavily. She placed a finger over her mouth indicating he needed to be quiet. Eli followed her lead, slipping down silently from the back of his horse and drawing his gun.
Holliday stepped silently towards him and he found himself content in just watching her move. She leaned towards him in an effort to tell him something. He breathed deeply, smelling t
he peach and cinnamon scent on her from when she’d eaten her breakfast. His mouth practically salivated at the idea of kissing her, tasting the sweetness of the fruit and of her.
“Someone’s just ahead of us and I heard a woman,” she breathed softly in his ear. Her breath giving him goosebumps as it caressed his cheek. Turn and kiss her, his mind screamed at him. Then his brain kicked in, realizing what she’d said.
“Emily?”
“Shaddup!” she whispered quickly and leaned closer, frowning at him again. “You have to be quiet or we lose the element of surprise.”
Nodding, he keenly felt the absence as she pulled back and began to move forward. He would not let Holladay move towards potential danger without him. They were in this together and he’d be darned if she’d take a bullet for him or anyone else. She was moving towards the voices and she wouldn’t go it alone.
“Ellie!” he whispered, garnering a hard glare from her as she looked at him in surprise over her shoulder. Her finger flew up again, indicating that he should be silent. Elias nearly grinned as he realized that she’d not protested the nickname that slipped out. She crouched down behind the bushes and stared hard, trying to see who was ahead.
He joined her, tucking himself down low in order to fit behind the bramble of greenery she’d chosen to hide behind. Sitting there, he stared at her, lost. Ellen Holladay simply stole all thought from him. The creamy skin of her cheeks as he looked at her profile beckoned to be touched. Her hard glare was focused straight ahead on something. But in his mind, he saw the grinning woman from this morning.
“Ellie,” he breathed. His finger gently touched her cheekbone, tracing it. He expected to have a barrel on his forehead at any moment, whether it was Holladay’s or whoever was just on the other side of the branches. He never expected to see her eyes widen as she turned in surprise towards him. Her blue eyes flashed a myriad of emotion. Confusion, frustration and wonder.
He tucked a blond tendril behind her ear and watched the feelings move across her face. He felt exactly the same, drawn to her and confused by it. His hand slid to the back of her neck, feeling her shiver at the touch. He needed to kiss her. He stared at her lips, imagining how soft they’d be and found himself leaning forward to indulge in a moment of selfishness until he heard a voice.
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