on the back of that nag you call a horse, turn it around and slap its rump to send you back to town in a dead run.”
“Are you trying to intimidate me?” she asked, her voice coming out a bit wobbly.
“Do you scare easily?” he asked.
“No, I don’t.”
He flashed a taunting smile. “I suppose you’re too smart to be afraid.”
“I’m bright,” she admitted, “and better educated than most—male or female.”
“That might be true, but driving a wagon and crossing rugged territory takes more knowledge than you can find in a book. It takes common sense, instinct and courage—things you can’t learn in school.”
“What I lack in experience, I make up for in determination.”
“A determined fool won’t last a day on the trail.”
She clenched her fists at her side. “I’m no fool, and I have far more courage than you think.”
While he’d like to believe her, especially when he wasn’t sure what they might face down the road, he couldn’t help thinking of her as a young, trigger-happy cowboy out to prove himself. But he doubted arguing with her would get either of them anywhere.
“I guess that’s left to be seen,” Tom said. “Now let’s get out of here.”
“All right.”
Yet neither of them made a move.
“What are you waiting for?” she asked.
“For you to go first.”
When she didn’t move, he said, “Listen, Miss O’Malley, I can be your ally or your enemy. It’s your choice.”
“I choose my friends wisely, Mr. McCain.” She flashed an insincere smile then headed up the incline toward the wagon, passing him as she went and leaving a scent of lilac lingering in the air.
Tom raked a hand through his hair. He was going to need help with Erin and Sarah Jane over the next couple of days. And right now, the only human he had to rely on was a troublesome redhead who, given time, could surely provoke a gentle and pious preacher to spit and cuss.
Over the years, Tom had learned to trust God to see him through every difficult situation he had to face. The first time he’d called out to his father’s God—he’d been a ten-year-old half-breed, cold, hungry and alone in a hostile white world.
Not ten minutes later, Trapper Jack had come along to change all that and to take him to live with Hannah McCain. She’d not only loved and cared for him, she’d shared her faith, and before long, Tom had become a believer himself.
Last night, Tom had prayed for guidance and help in protecting Sarah Jane and finding her a loving home. He knew God would answer that prayer. He surely did.
Trouble was, he feared that this time, instead of blessing him with a woman like Hannah, God had seen fit to punish him with Katie O’Malley.
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