Free Rosanne Bittner by Paradise Valley Page B

make?”
    “Actually, it’s mostly broth. You and the others already ate most of the dumplings and chicken. I just didn’t want to waste what was left.”
    Now that he was up and around and beginning to act like the Sage she’d first met, Maggie suddenly felt a bit self-conscious as he sat down on the bed to eat. It was one thing taking care of him when he could barely move, but seeing him at full stature and with no shirt on was something else. She was, after all, sleeping in his house. When the men realized he was better…
    “Relax,” he told her, apparently reading her thoughts. “Now that I’m better, I’ll go stay at a bunkhouse the next couple of nights. Day after tomorrow we’ll head out, if you think you’re up to it, and you still insist on going with me after those men.”
    Maggie sat in a wooden chair near the table. “If I’m up to it? I can hardly believe you’d be up to it.”
    “Doesn’t matter. We’ve already lost too much time. I’ll have Joe pack us some gear, and we’ll get this thing over with.” He picked up the bowl and drank from it, rather than using the spoon. Maggie noticed that he spoke as though “this thing,” which she knew was the killing of three men, was just another of his daily chores. As much as she hated the men who’d abused her, she couldn’t look at killing them as just another job to do before going out to brand a steer.
    “Well, I’m glad you still intend to take me along.”
    Sage shrugged. “Hell, I might come across another grizzly.” He grinned, a strikingly handsome smile. His teeth were even and white, his smile genuine.
    “So, you do have the ability to smile.”
    His grin quickly faded, as though he felt guilty for showing any kind of softer side. “Sometimes.” He finished the broth. “Your good cooking must be why I’m mending so fast.” He set the bowl aside. “You’re a woman of many talents,” he added, his dark gaze moving over her with a look she couldn’t quite read. “You work hard, you braved a hellish attack without letting it bend you, you can handle a gun, you scrub clothes, and you’re a good cook. Bill says you even killed and plucked the chickens yourself for that stew.”
    “I’ve killed and plucked chickens since I was about ten years old.” Maggie picked up the bowl.
    “Don’t leave yet,” he said when she rose. He nodded toward a dresser on the opposite wall. “There’s a tin of tobacco over there—and some cigarette papers. Do you know how to roll a cigarette?”
    Maggie set the bowl down and walked to the dresser. “Yes. James smoked too.” She found the makings of cigarettes and rolled tobacco into the thin paper as tightly as possible.
    “How are you feeling?” Sage asked.
    Maggie licked and sealed the cigarette. “I’m fine—well enough to travel, if that’s what you’re asking.” She struck a match and carried it to Sage with the cigarette, then held the match to it as Sage lit it.
    Close… disturbingly close… all of a sudden too familiar.
    Maggie fanned out the match and stepped back.
    “Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome,” Maggie answered. Their gazes held for a moment, and Maggie felt a tiny bit of fear—something she couldn’t explain—fear, yet not really frightened, if that made sense. She walked back to the dresser, making a pretense of straightening a few things sitting on it.
    “You’re some woman, Maggie Tucker,” Sage commented. “How can I thank you for killing that grizzly? I’m a little embarrassed though. The men won’t let me live that one down, but it sure shows me you can take care of yourself when we head out. Still, there’s one thing I need to know. Have you ever killed a man ?”
    She stared at the cigarette papers. “Of course not.”
    “You can change your mind about coming with me if you want to.”
    I can’t let you go riding off without me , she thought. She was already allowing herself to grow used to this wonderful house and the beautiful mountains