Magnificent Passage by Kat Martin Page A

waist lifting her effortlessly from the saddle. Though secretly grateful for the assistance, she didn’t admit it. For the plan to work it was imperative she be convincing. She knew what Julia would do.
    â€œPut me down this instant and keep your hands off me!” she demanded, the first words she’d uttered since she left
her home. She pushed against the big man’s muscular chest and looked indignantly up at the tanned face glaring at her from beneath a broad-brimmed hat.
    He tightened his hold, his large hands almost spanning her waist. He seemed determined not to let go now that she had challenged him. Watching the set of his jaw, she felt a tiny prickle of alarm, but quickly subdued it.
    â€œYou try my patience, Miss Ashton,” he said. “We’re going to be together on the trail for some time. If you persist in this attitude, you’ll only make it tough on yourself.”
    â€œI can take care of myself just fine without any help from you. And I’ll thank you to keep your hands to yourself.” She held Langley’s penetrating, dark-eyed gaze for as long as her courage would allow, then her bravado withered. She could feel the heat of his hands around her waist and shivered, the nervousness in her stomach replaced by an odd, tingling sensation.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she conceded stiffly, now eager to be left alone. “Thank you for helping me down. Now, if you would be kind enough to unhand me. I’m very tired.”
    â€œThat’s more like it,” Langley replied smugly, his mouth curving in a lazy smile. “A little more of that attitude and you and I’ll get along just fine.”
    She could see he was pleased with himself for gaining the upper hand, and her anger flared. “We’re never going to get along just fine, Mr. Langley, and you’re never going to get me to California, so you might as well give up now.”
    â€œI wouldn’t bet on that if I were you.” His gaze turned dark, his temper flaring again. Too abruptly, he released his hold, causing her to lose her balance. She stumbled against
him, then regained her footing, her own temper barely under control.
    Without another word he turned and stalked in the opposite direction. She watched his imposing figure move toward his horse silently cursing herself for letting him get under her skin. He was obviously a ruffian and somewhat of a heathen. She vowed to be more careful in the future.
    In James’s absence, Hawk made camp. He tethered the horses and started a fire. Soon he had a venison stew, meat left over from last night’s supper along with a few prairie turnips, simmering over the coals. The hearty aroma wafted through the camp, and he felt his stomach rumble. By the time the stew was done, the sound of a horse’s hooves clattered over the rocky ground. Hawk recognized James’s familiar figure even from a distance.
    â€œNo more trouble at the fort?” Hawk asked, noting James’s easy smile as he entered the camp.
    â€œNot a hint. Her lieutenant must be out on patrol. Besides, not many military men are willing to jeopardize their careers by going up against the orders of a governor.” He stepped down gingerly from the horse and began to unsaddle him. Hawk busied himself with the pack animal, untying the tarpaulin and removing the rack.
    â€œHow did you and Miss Ashton get along?” James inquired as he buckled his horse’s halter.
    Hawk could see the mischievous gleam in James’s eyes, and it rankled him more than a little.
    â€œWhy don’t you ask her?” he said sourly as he finished rubbing down the mule.
    James watched Hawk pad noiselessly back to the slowly
burning fire. Even though they would travel part of the way by stage, they’d already decided to head west for a distance on horseback, just to be on the safe side. They could board the stage at Fort Bridger or, better yet, Great Salt Lake City.
    James