“You can’t run away from me.”
Storm skidded to a halt and spun around, for a moment believing he had read her mind. She reined in her nonsensical thought and said, “We need to keep a good pace to arrive at our destination on time.”
“I’d say we’re going to arrive early at the rate we’re going. Can’t we take a brief reprieve? Enjoy the food.”
“I suppose a brief repose won’t hurt,” she agreed reluctantly.
They found a secluded spot, though one that gave them the advantage of seeing if anyone approached, and settled down to enjoy bread, cheese, and apples.
Storm had thought Burke’s attire yesterday had defined him, but she had been wrong. The way he looked today truly defined the man. He wore dark brown trousers, tan shirt, black jacket, and a long black coat he called a duster. He explained that it kept the dust off the cowboys when they traveled the range in America.
The image it evoked of a faraway land made her realize just how different Burke and she were and made her even more determined to remain aloof until she could sort through her feelings.
“You can’t avoid us, Storm. Why try?”
Why did he have to be so astute? She took a bite of an apple, hoping to do just as he warned and avoid the issue.
Burke laughed. “Nice try, but eventually your mouth won’t be full and you’ll be able to answer.”
She could explain there was no us, but that wasn’t truthful. She could be honest and tell him she was concerned about her feelings, but that could prove dangerous. She could attempt to ignore him, but he would be persistent.
She decided to buy herself time. “Now isn’t a good time to discuss this.”
“It’s the best time. There’s no one around, just the two of us. We couldn’t ask for a more perfect time.”
“Tonight,” she let slip and bit her bottom lip too late.
Burke laughed. “Afraid?”
Yes! Yes! she wanted to scream, but instead she smiled. “Not at all.”
“Then why not just talk now? We’ve discussed endlessly what we have learned so far about my brother, so there is no more to be said where that is concerned. There is, however, the matter of us that does need further discussion.”
“There really is no us,” she argued.
“I tried believing that too.” He shook his head. “It didn’t work.”
“Mr. Longton—”
“I love when you address me that way, so formal and yet so intimate. It gives me the shivers.” He shook his body to demonstrate.
Storm couldn’t keep from smiling. The man was a charmer, a delightful charmer who managed to make her smile even when they disagreed.
He took hold of her hand. “Give us a chance, that’s all I ask of you.”
The snap of a branch had them both bolting up on their feet and searching the area. A deer stood poised not far from them, and once it caught their scent, it took off in a rustle of leaves and snapping twigs.
“We shouldn’t linger,” Storm said, wrapping up the food and returning it to the pouch. “The sky promises rain, and if we pick up our pace we can make it to a small farm that has long been abandoned but will provide sufficient shelter.”
They hurried off, Storm grateful Burke didn’t pursue the issue of them. With so much to consider, Burke and she should be the last thing on her mind. She reminded herself of that each and every time Burke popped into her thoughts and she chased him away, only to have him return again and again.
They made it to what remained of the farmhouse, though the old lean-to that looked to have sheltered the animals was in better shape, so they decided to seek refuge there.
They found a dry corner without leaks, and with the space being small, they had no choice but to huddle together to remain dry and warm.
“This is cozy,” Burke said, wrapping his arm around Storm.
Storm made herself comfortable in the crook of his arm. It wasn’t hard. Actually, it was quite natural since she had done it many times and found the fit perfect.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you how much I enjoyed spending the day with you,” Burke said.
“You’ve spent days with me,” she reminded, not wanting to talk about them but knowing that he probably wasn’t going to give her a choice.
“Not as my wife. I must say I did enjoy showing you off.”
“Showing me off?” she asked, startled.
“Of course. With you on my arm, men looked at me with envy.”
She laughed.
“You think I jest?” he asked seriously.
She glanced up at him, her eyes shining a brilliant blue.
His brow narrowed. “You don’t realize how beautiful you are, do you?” His finger began to trace along her face. “Your stunning features can rob a man of his breath and turn him senseless.”