Free Finding Promise by Scarlett Dunn Page B

remove his hat as he took a seat across from her. When he stretched out his long legs, she realized he took up a lot of space. “I don’t mind if you sleep here.”
    It was one thing to sleep inside with her when she was unconscious, but now that she was awake, he didn’t think that would be such a good idea. He wondered if she would make the same offer if she wasn’t afraid. He gave her another grin. “I have my reputation to consider.”
    Embarrassed that she hadn’t considered how inappropriate the offer sounded, she blushed at his response. “I didn’t consider how that would appear.”
    Seeing that she was flustered, he added in a teasing tone, “Not that I would mind spending the night with a beautiful woman.” Even in the dim lamplight, he could see her cheeks turning pink. He felt certain many men had told her she was beautiful, and even his own men couldn’t take their eyes off of her, yet she didn’t seem to realize the effect she had on them. “If it makes you rest easier, I will sleep right beside your wagon when I’m in camp. When I’m on watch, I’ll have someone else take my place.”
    Relief washed over her, knowing he would be close. Though she didn’t know him, she trusted him without question. “It helps to know that. The only thing that seems familiar to me is your voice. Shorty said you talked to me when I was unconscious, so that is probably why I find it so familiar.”
    When she looked at him with those large whiskey-colored eyes, he was tempted to forget she was a recent widow. “I didn’t know if you could hear me. It seemed to me it might be a comfort to know you were safe.”
    â€œDid the doctor say how long it might take for my memory to come back?”
    He tried to think about how he would feel if he didn’t know who he was. It had to be frustrating for her, but he had to be honest. “He wasn’t sure.”
    â€œI read some of my journal, and I wrote about someone named Matthew. He was obviously someone I traveled with. Do you know who he is?” At first, she thought Matthew might be her husband, but for some reason she was certain she was not married.
    Now what was he going to say? Exactly as he feared, she’d asked the very question he didn’t want to answer. “I’m not sure who he is,” he responded. He was hedging, but in all honesty, he wasn’t positive Matthew was her husband. “I do think you were traveling with him.” Before she could ask him what happened to Matthew, he said, “Why don’t you lie down and try to sleep.”
    â€œI can’t sleep in my dress. You don’t have to stay. I’ll be okay now that I know you will be near.”
    Jake stood and retrieved his hat. “If you need anything, I’ll be right outside.”
    â€œThank you, Mr. McBride. Good night.”
    â€œJake,” he reminded her. “Good night.”
    When he approached the fire to retrieve his saddle, he noticed all the men looking his way. He started to ask them why they were staring until he realized they weren’t really looking at him; they were looking past him to the wagon. He turned to see what held their attention. Promise was sitting at the back of the wagon and the flap was still open, so they could see her brushing her hair over one shoulder. It was such a simple task, but one that made every man stop and stare. Jake understood how they felt. It had been way too long since any of them had spent time with a woman. Suddenly, she stopped brushing her hair and dropped her face into her hands. It was obvious she was crying. It broke Jake’s heart, and the heart of every man watching her. She was frightened, and who could blame her? He couldn’t imagine being in her position, and at the mercy of strangers. All in all, she was handling things much better than he would. Finally he saw her lift her skirt to dry her