Ana Seymour by Jeb Hunters Bride

firelight, the lad’s features looked almost pretty. He was a bit too delicate for the rigors of the West—that must be why Jeb felt such a need to protect them. Hell, he should be happy that the boys had Haskell to help them out. Jeb had enough to think about along the trail. He considered changing his mind about the order of the wagons, but decided against it. He’d learned from experience that making people understand that his orders were the law could mean the difference between life and death. “So we’re all agreed then?” he asked after a moment.
    Scott looked down at Kerry’s hand and seemed to be considering his reply. Finally he said. “All right. We’ll keep the wagons in order.”
    Jeb nodded. “Good.” He waited for further comment,but when both Scott and Kerry were silent, he said in a stilted voice, “Thanks for the coffee, then.” And without making a sound he disappeared into the darkness.
    “He doesn’t like me,” Scott observed.
    “Why do you say that?” Kerry asked. Her hand was still on his arm.
    “I don’t know. A man can just tell when another man would rather take a swing at him than shake hands.”
    “What possible reason could he have for not liking you?”
    Scott shrugged. “Maybe he doesn’t like gold prospectors,” he said lightly.
    “Well, now, that’s a silly notion,” Kerry said with a little laugh.
    She started to move her hand away from his arm but he reached down and captured it with his own. “Maybe so, but he doesn’t like me.”
    Kerry wrinkled her nose. “Well, I’m not so sure I like him very much.”
    Scott laughed. “He’s not the friendliest fellow, is he?”
    “No. And he’s…high-handed.”
    He released her hand, holding his own up in a gesture of surrender. “I’ll take note. You don’t like forceful men.”
    He said it in a teasing tone, but Kerry did not return his smile. “I don’t know,” she said slowly, considering his words. “I’m not sure I like men much at all. Or rather, I like them okay but I’d just as soon not have to have anything to do with them. Except for Patrick, of course. I plan to do fine on my own.”
    Scott looked at her oddly. “If you ask me, that’s one prediction that’s not likely to come true.” Then before she could start to bristle, he added, “Not that you wouldn’t do fine on your own, lass. It’s just that I don’t think the men you encounter will want to let you.”
    “Why not?”
    Scott let out a puff of exasperation. “Lord, Kerry. You may try to cover up in men’s togs and throw dirt on your face, but any male under the age of ninety who sees the real you is going to be attracted.”
    It was the blarney again. But somehow Scott Haskell sounded more sincere than the boys back in New York City. Perhaps there was some truth to it after all, she thought with amazement. Growing up without a mother, she’d never had anyone to talk with about the effect a woman can have on a man. And her father had certainly never mentioned that she was pretty or that she might have an allure that could attract masculine attention. She wasn’t at all sure that she liked the idea.
    “Well, at least I won’t have to worry about that this trip. No one even knows that I’m a girl.”
    “Except me.”
    The fire was beginning to die, and Kerry had trouble seeing Scott’s face in the dim light, but his voice held a resonance that was as palpable as his earlier caress on her hair. “Yes, of course. Except you.” She cleared her throat and rubbed her arms briskly. “It’s starting to get chilly out, don’t you think?”
    Scott’s smile was understanding. “I’m anything but chilly, lass, but it is getting late. Do you want me to help you with anything more tonight?”
    Kerry pushed herself to her feet without putting weight on her bad ankle. “No, I’m just going to curl up and go to sleep.” She pointed over at the wagon where Patrick had earlier thrown their bedrolls.
    “I’d feel better if you and