A Journey of the Heart Collection by Colleen Coble

brought to the back door. First they’d have a cup of tea and then see to bathing the road dust off their sore bodies. She felt as though the fine yellow grit was in every pore of her body. She could even taste its gritty presence. She looked around the small quarters. Only one bedroom opened off the kitchen. Where could they all sleep?
    â€œI’ll bring over a couple more bunks,” Jacob said. “We can put one in the parlor and use it for a sofa during the day. You can sleep there, Sarah. I’ll put another one in the entry for Joel, and everyone will have a little privacy. Just for tonight, you and Amelia can sleep in the bedroom, and Joel and I will put up in the barracks.” He hauled the hip bath down off its peg on the wall and set it in the small bedroom. He stuck his head out the door and asked a private to go down to the river and haul some water for bathing.
    Even with several kettles of boiling water added, the bathwater was barely tepid, so Sarah bathed quickly. She was ravenous by the time Rand brought over a steaming kettle of stew and bread. They wolfed down their supper in ten minutes.
    Jacob yawned. “I’m beat. I think the rest of us will turn in. Good night, honey.” He kissed Amelia, then gestured for Joel to join them. The door lock snicked shut behind them.
    Amelia stood. “Good night. Don’t be too late, Sarah. I know you’re exhausted.” She sent a stern glance Rand’s way before stepping to the bedroom and closing the door.
    The silence stretched between them. Sarah pleated the folds of her skirt and couldn’t look at Rand.
    He rose and paced to the window. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
    â€œSo it appears.” She forced the words out of her tight throat. “I came out to keep Amelia company.” She couldn’t bear for him to know she’d come here expecting a much different reception. “I didn’t expect to find you engaged so quickly though.”
    Rand raked a hand through his brown hair and his lips flattened. “I know it looks bad, Sarah, but I had a lot of time to think these past few months. I like army life. The adventure, the sense of doing something worthwhile. Something that affects other people besides just my family. I want to be part of taming the West for my country.”
    Sarah stared up at him. “What about your family back in Wabash? You sound as if you never intend to go home.” Though he’d said as much back in Wabash, she’d been sure he hadn’t meant it, not really.
    â€œTell me honestly, does the thought of living in the wilderness appeal to you? You were quick to let me go alone.” He knelt beside her chair. “Please try to understand.”
    She inhaled his manly scent mixed with the pungent odor of wood smoke, then reached out and touched his cheek, rough with stubble under her fingers. Heat flared between them before he rocked back on his heels and stood. “All I want is for you to be happy.”
    Hurt flashed in his eyes. “I never dreamed you’d follow me, Sarah,” he said hoarsely. “If I’d even suspected it . . .” His voice trailed off. “I’ve made a commitment to Jessica now. She’ll make an excellent army wife. She’s lived in frontier forts most of her life. It hurt when you didn’t love me enough to leave your family for me. Jessica will go wherever I’m sent without a complaint. She understands soldiers and their duties.”
    Rand turned his back to her and paced to the window. A bugle sounded in the distance. “She was here when I was hurting over your rejection. She let me know right off how she felt.” He wheeled around to face her again. “What are you doing here, anyway? You said you wouldn’t leave your father.”
    â€œPapa’s dead.” She touched his arm as she saw the hurt and shock register on his face, feelings that mirrored her own.