Free Trail of Hope (Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll) by Heidi Vanlandingham Page B

scratching of skin on skin next to her and knew Clay scrubbed his face with his other hand. “You’re right. This is about you, and maybe if you understand what we are trying to do, you will be safer.”
    The gentle caressing motion of her hand on his leg stopped, her fingers digging into the crease instead. “Is it that bad?”
    He dropped his arm around her back, his hand now resting against her hip. “You do not need to hear his exact words, but you will understand the meaning.” Clay’s voice hardened. “He will do anything to have you—but we’re not going to let that happen, Sophia. I will not let that happen.”
    She leaned into him as both shock and even a tiny bit of excitement flooded through her. The importance of his explanation was temporarily shoved aside as she concentrated on one word. He’d said I. Her heart raced. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to her. Does that mean he truly cares for me?
    On her other side, Martin cleared his voice, which seemed to echo in the night’s silence, jolting her from her wayward thoughts. She’d never felt safer—or more loved.
    “You cannot be alone. Ever. It is just a matter of time, but Todd will come after you,” Martin said. “And vigilance. You must never let your guard down. Pay attention to everything going on around you.”
    “If all three of you think this is absolutely necessary…” Her voice disappeared, drowned out by a rattling noise somewhere in the darkness. Not being able to see their expressions made her uncomfortable.
    The rattling noise drew closer. The tension-filled air around her seemed to increase. Her stomach’s jittery dance grew wilder. A cricket’s chatter sounded close to where Clay sat, making her jump. Holding her breath didn’t help either, making the harsh thud, thud, thud of her heart echo loudly in her ears. A boot scraped the hard ground next to her and the cricket’s song stopped. She couldn’t squelch the partial squeal fast enough when something touched her ear.
    Bryan chuckled. “Sorry.”
    Her hand flew out and, luckily, hit his shoulder and not his face. “ Ohhhh . You scared me to death!” She glared at the faint outline of his head. Now that her eyes had become accustomed to the darkness, she could just barely make out the outlines of everything around her. “I never knew you’d left.” The last thing she wanted to do was admit to him that she wasn’t paying attention when that was the very thing they’d just been telling her to do.
    “You found out something more?” Clay scooted the two of them over and made room for Bryan.
    “I went scoutin’. I like knowin’ where everyone is. Todd is one campsite behind you.”
    “Damn,” Clay mumbled. “We didn’t need that.”
    “Well, you’ll like this even less. As I walked by, I heard two officers complainin’ about what he’s doin’. Said it was too much like cowardice. They think he should jus’ take Miss Sophia if he wants her so bad.”
    Martin’s growl echoed in her ear, and she squeezed his hand. The night was so still and quiet, she heard Bryan’s intake of air before he spoke. “I’m only repeatin’ their stupidity. There are just as many soldiers who think he should leave well enough alone.” The volume of his voice rose when, she assumed, he moved closer to her or maybe leaned forward. “There are at least ten soldiers watchin’ over you. Unfortunately, the major has more, and I don’t know everyone.”
    Clay swore. “That’s not what we needed to hear.”
    Sophia interrupted. “Thank you. Both of you. Now I will never get to sleep.” Disgusted, she rose. “I don’t want to hear anymore. I will be in the wagon counting the stars. Goodnight.” She edged toward what she hoped was the wagon, thankful when her fingers brushed over the rough wood. She crawled back up to her previous spot and lay down, tucking her arm under her head for a pillow. With her other hand, she felt around and finally found her doll tucked up