Chapter 26 Colton

CHAPTER 26

Colton

WHILE ALL THE passengers take turns getting dressed in their pioneer costumes in Clark's Sod House, Wild Wanda and Felix prepare a list of supplies we'll need to restock at Fort Bellows. Meat, eggs, butter, bacon. With a lot of preteen and teen boys on this excursion, the staples are being used up faster than usual. Dad's asked me to ride ahead and call the order in to our team back in Darby, who'll load up a truck with the supplies and have it to the fort by morning.

"Hey, wait up, Colton," Riley calls out. She catches up to me just as I'm about to boost myself into Chance's saddle.

I pull my boot from the stirrup and turn around, only to come face to face with the upper edge of a giant white bonnet.

"Please don't laugh," she says, stepping back with a grimace.

I have to dip down just to make sure it's her under the brim. Her cheeks are rosy and her hair is pulled into two braided ponytails that rest on her shoulders. "That is some hat."

"Tell me about it. This whole outfit is ridiculous." Riley brushes her hands across the beige apron tied over her tan flower-print dress. A pair of scuffed black boots are visible beneath the ankle-length hem. "I can't believe I'm being forced to wear this. I can't believe pioneer girls were forced to wear this. And get this," she says with mock seriousness. "It doesn't even have pockets."

"Pockets are important?"

Riley sets her hand on her hip. "Pockets are essential. Guys are so lucky. You never have to worry about pockets. I mean, look at you." Riley steps back and runs her gaze over me from top to bottom. I suck in my abs and try to stand up straighter under her scrutiny. "Your pants have two front pockets and two back pockets, and there are two more on your shirt. Six pockets. Think of all the things you could carry in your pockets."

"Like what?" I ask.

"Oh, I don't know. A map. A compass."

"Art supplies?"

"Exactly." Riley smiles.

"Maybe you could shove some of that stuff up under your bonnet. It's big enough," I tease, reaching over to tug the end of the bow so the ribbons come loose beneath her chin.

"Very funny," she says, slapping my arm playfully.

Her lips are soft and rosy pink. Our gazes meet and we drift closer together until our hat brims brush. I bend my knees and tilt my head, my heart racing. The wind kicks up, sending Riley's skirt rippling against my shins and the ribbons of her hat dancing between us. Reaching up with my free hand, I pull my hat off, but just before I lean in to kiss her, the McCreadys, the Pinskis, and their passel of kids head our way. Riley drops her hand and we ease apart.

I clear my throat.

Riley bites her bottom lip. She blinks and glances away, watching as the others head to their wagons. I force down the disappointment of another missed opportunity as I resettle my Stetson on my head.

"You know, this whole getup is not exactly fit for a Prairie Princess," Riley says. "I might have to speak with management." She grabs the bottom corners of her apron and swishes it around.

"At least you haven't lost your sense of humor under all that calico."

"Who says I'm joking?" she asks, though the corner of her mouth twitches like she's fighting off a smile. "I look like an extra on the set of Little Horror on the Prairie. And for your information, there is a linen shift, three layers of petticoats, and a pair of bloomers under all this calico. Not that you need to know about what's going on under all this calico," she adds, her cheeks getting even rosier.

It isn't easy, but I manage to pull my attention away from what's going on under all that calico. "All that and no pockets," I manage.

Totally worth it for her surprised laugh. "You know, if I had to wear this for more than a day, I'd figure out a way to add pockets."

"And miss out on all that underutilized space under your bonnet?" I give her ribbons another playful tug.

She reaches over and catches my wrist between her warm, soft fingers. "Colton Walker," she says, breathing my name out in a way that makes my spine tingle. "You're impossible."

I don't miss how her hand lingers. Or how my fingers twitch at the thought of holding her hand.

For a moment, I picture myself sweeping her up onto Chance and riding off into the prairie with her. Somewhere away from prying eyes and constant distractions and Jake.

"Do you have to wear a costume tonight, too?" she asks, tapping the toe of her boot against mine.

"No."

Once we get to Fort Bellows, the folks there are in charge of the evening meal and entertainment, so the rest of us can get a night off to enjoy a warm shower and comfortable bed in the crew's private quarters.

Riley's face droops into a playful pout. "Bummer."

"Would you like it if I did?" It's not often that I join in on dinner at the tavern, but for Riley, I'll make an exception. Plus, I do have a pioneer costume on standby just in case I need it.

Riley nods. "It seems only fair."

"Okay, then." Guess I'll be dusting off my outfit after all. "But you might not recognize me in my costume when you get to Fort Bellows."

"Well, you shouldn't have any problem spotting me," she says, pointing to her bonnet. "They can probably see me from the Space Station, this thing is so big." Her hand brushes against mine as it drops to her side.

I resist the urge to reach out and twine her fingers through mine. "For what it's worth, for a pioneer out here on the dusty trail, I think you look nice."

Riley lifts her chin and looks up at me from under dark eyelashes. "Thank you," she says.

"I…um." I cough. "I think you always look nice." My chest grows tight at the admission and I rub a hand over it to get it to loosen up.

"Even covered in mud?"

"Not everyone can pull off that look," I say.

Riley bites her bottom lip and glances down at her boots for a moment before looking up with a wary expression. "I was actually hoping we could spend some time alone together, away from Jake and everyone else. I think we should talk."

"I'd like that," I say. "And we should, but unfortunately, I'm about to ride out to Fort Bellows. I have a few things to take care of before the wagons arrive, and they can't wait."

Her face falls. "Oh, right. Sure. Maybe later?"

"Definitely later," I say, brushing my thumb along the soft curve of her cheek. Before she can react, I twist away. My boot slides into the stirrup and I hoist myself into the saddle. Chance swishes his tail and does a little dance to let me know he's ready to stretch his legs. I tip the brim of my hat to Riley and grin. "I'll see you and your bonnet at Fort Bellows."