A Journey of the Heart Collection by Colleen Coble Page B

fields.”
    â€œMuch hostility around here?”
    â€œNot really. A few skirmishes. There’s mostly tame Oglala Sioux and friendly Brulé. Most of the wild Oglala are with Red Cloud at Powder River.”
    â€œThe girls will be relieved to hear that.”
    â€œI was just about to check on them.” Rand paused.
    The smell of impending snow freshened the air and the wind stung their cheeks as they hurried across the parade ground toward the light spilling out the front window of the house. It looked warm and welcoming in the somber darkness of the predawn morning. Their breath made frosty plumes in the air, and their boots crunched against the frozen ground as they waved and called morning greetings to the soldiers heading toward the mess hall, most of them shrouded in buffalo robes against the cold. The trumpet’s call to breakfast carried clearly in the clear air.

    Sarah’s heart was heavy as she dropped her dress over her bustle. The pagoda sleeves were quite fashionable, and at least she could hold her head up in Jessica’s presence. She added a tatted collar and her favorite brooch, a rose filigree Rand had given her, then took her hairpins and went to find Amelia in the kitchen.
    Rand and Jacob should be here anytime, and she wanted a moment with him. She wasn’t sure what she should do. She couldn’t go back home. The journey had been so arduous, she couldn’t bear to think of making it again. And besides, she refused to be under Wade’s thumb again. Having been his virtual prisoner had soured her against him.
    She turned as she heard the men thump up the porch steps and ran to unlock the door. “Good morning.” Her gaze went to Rand.
    He didn’t look at her. “Breakfast will be over if you two don’t hurry up.”
    â€œWe’re almost ready. Let me finish my hair. Jacob, why don’t you take Amelia and Joel and go on ahead?” Sarah’s words were mumbled through a mouthful of hairpins, and she began to wind her braids up at the base of her head. With an understanding glance, Amelia adjusted her bonnet, then drew on her navy cape and followed Jacob and Joel out the door.
    Sarah finished her hair with a few quick thrusts of well-placed hairpins, then looked up at Rand. “Is my being here going to be a problem for you?”
    He looked away and swallowed hard. “Of course not. We’ll always be friends.”
    She’d thought they were so much more. “I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”
    He shrugged. “You can stay here with Jacob and Amelia. And if you want one, you won’t have any trouble finding a beau. It’s so rare for the men to see any unattached women—you’ll probably have a dozen proposals before the week is over.”
    Stung by his words, Sarah tossed her head back. “I don’t give my affections as easily as some.”
    Hurt flashed in his eyes before his expression grew guarded. “Jacob said he’d probably be sent to one of the northern forts come late spring or early summer, so I reckon we can be civil to one another for a few months.”
    He picked up her cloak from the foot of the bed and held it out to her courteously. She let its warmth enfold her before swishing away from him without another word. The wind struck her as she stepped onto the porch, and as she staggered, Rand caught her arm and steadied her. She was very conscious of his strong, warm fingers pressing against her arm through her cape.
    His brown eyes were impersonal as he gazed down on her. “The wind is ferocious out here. Watch your step.” He led her across the parade ground toward the mess hall, the soft glow of lamplight shining out its windows and a lazy curl of smoke rising from its chimney.
    With an effort, Sarah controlled her hurt and anger. She forced a smile and laid a hand on his arm before stepping into the mess hall.
    It was a big open room filled with long wooden