Another Dawn (46 page)

      
Though Sofie might still be looking for an airport.

      
Guilt constricted his throat, but he forcibly banished it. The memory of Warden Graham's eyes peering through that hood knifed through Luke, reminding him to hurry. The day was half gone already.

      
"This one look okay, Sam?"

      
"If you don't mind a horse with no spirit, she'll do."
 
Sam turned to Henry. "Horse got a name?"

      
Henry nodded. "'Course. This is Rosie. Everybody in Redemption knows everybody
and
their livestock."

      
"Rosie?" Sam spit toward the nearest fencepost. "Well, she looks sound, but that's 'bout it."

      
"That's all I want. I'll take that one."

      
He chose another equally docile creature named Sissy and let Sam haggle over price while Luke poured gold nuggets into Henry's outstretched hand.
 

      
"That'll include the tack," Sam said, rather than asked.

      
"Sure thing, Marshal."
 
Henry placed the glittering nuggets on a scale, indicating he was accustomed to trading in gold, rather than regular currency. "Even throw in a sidesaddle for the lady."

      
Sam shot Luke a look. "Ridin' through the mountains is rough, Luke," he said. "I dunno what kind of experience Miss Sofie's got with sidesaddles, but I reckon ridin' astride'll be safer."

      
Luke knew if Sofie had any riding experience, it wouldn't have been sidesaddle. "Two regular saddles then. Thanks, Sam."

      
Sam also accompanied Luke to the dry goods, where they purchased blankets, something called hardtack, canned beans, jerky, and canteens. If not for Sam's experience, Luke might have ridden into the wilderness without the proper supplies.
 

      
Sofie trusted him–Luke couldn't let her down.

      
They walked the horses to the rear of the parsonage, where Sam and Luke shook hands. "Father, if you're ever in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, you look me and my missus up. Hear?"

      
The back door opened and Sofie stepped through. She eyed the horses warily, then smiled at Sam. "Thank you for everything, Marshal."
 
She offered him her hand.

      
Sam looked at her strangely, then grinned and shook her hand. "Miss Dr. Sofie, it's been a pleasure meetin' you and Luke here."

      
"Thank you, Marshal, and thank you for helping Jenny and Shane."

      
"It's honest work."
 
Still grinning, United States Marshal Sam Weathers took a step back and tipped his hat. "God bless you, ma'am. You remember how I told you to find the pass, Luke?"

      
"I do, thanks."

      
Luke watched Sam walk away, then chuckled and looked at Sofie. "Who was that masked man?"

      
An expression of surprise and suspicion crossed her face, but he watched her bring it under control. A dark cloud fell across her eyes.

      
Something had happened during his absence. Fear trickled through his veins. "Did...did you have any company while I was gone, Sofie?" He had to know. Could Warden Graham have walked over here and told Sofie everything? Of course he could have. Luke remembered the man walking without a limp earlier today.

      
"No, whatever gave you that idea?" Sofie turned and opened the door, but just stood there without entering for a few minutes. "By the way, there's no way I'm riding a horse in a dress. I'm borrowing a pair of your jeans and a shirt before we leave."

      
"Good idea."

      
She stepped through the door and turned to face him again. The smile she flashed was false.

      
Something was definitely wrong.
 

      
"I can't wait to get back to civilization and fast food," she said casually.

      
Too casually. Oh, my God. Had she remembered? Her laughter came too easily. Forced.
 

      
"I've had enough of antiquity to last me a lifetime," she said, still brandishing that fake smile. "If I never see another Victorian dress, it'll be too soon."

      
"Uh..."
 
What could Luke say without playing his hand prematurely? Nothing. He was trapped until she played her cards. Sofie had obviously remembered something.

      
Enough to make her suspicious.

      
"Maybe we'll pass a McDonald's on the way," she said, as she closed the door behind her.

      
How much had she remembered? Everything? His breath caught in his throat. Did she know about him?

      
No, she couldn't know everything. Why would she have agreed to leave with him if she knew?

      
"McDonald's."
 
Luke sighed, mustering his self-control. "I don't think they allow horses in the drive-thru," he muttered to Rosie, shock and uncertainty still ricocheting through his brain. In response, the horse batted her big brown eyes at him and nudged his chest with her muzzle.

      
Leaving behind a trail of half-chewed oats.

Chapter 18

      
Sofie remembered how to ride a horse. Sort of.

      
When she climbed into the saddle, she knew to grip the reins with one hand, sparing her injured shoulder. She remembered to pull the reins on only one side to make the horse turn, and to pull evenly on both sides to make it stop or slow.

      
She was on a roll. Now if she could just stay in the saddle...

      
By the time they reached the top of the first hill, Rosie was displaying much more vigor. "Looks like you have your hands full," Sofie said.

      
He shot her a sheepish grin over his shoulder and obeyed. "Yeah, I've got my hands full here."

      
"I see that."
 
Sofie turned and looked back over her shoulder. "Oh, look."

      
Luke stopped his horse beside hers and they both stared down the mountain. Nestled at the base of a snow-covered peak, the town of Redemption looked like a postcard fit for any Rocky Mountain vacationer to send home. Tears stung Sofie's eyes and she dragged the back of her gloved hand across them.

      
"I'm going to miss them, too," Luke said, his voice low and sincere.

      
When he reached over to touch her arm, Sofie turned to face him. "I know."
 
Guilt welled up within her when she saw the worry lines creasing his forehead. She hadn't meant to upset him with her flippant remarks earlier, but she knew he was hiding something, and she was determined to find out what.

      
"I'm glad you left notes for everybody."
 
Rosie stepped sideways and Luke grabbed the reins again. "With your sore shoulder, it's a good thing you got Sissy instead of this rowdy old nag."

      
Despite all her suspicions, Sofie laughed. It felt so good and natural to laugh with Luke. Even though he was keeping secrets from her, she loved and trusted him. An oxymoron? Probably, but there it was. Sighing, she urged her horse into a slow walk along the trail behind Luke.

      
Mid-afternoon sun promised good traveling weather, at least for today. Sofie prayed they wouldn't get lost, and that the weather would hold until they reached Denver. After her flash of new memories this afternoon, she was more eager than ever to see Dr. Bowen. Maybe once she recovered all her memory, she could eliminate the nagging suspicions she had regarding Luke and his
 

secrets.

      
Though they could never be lovers, they could be friends. Sighing, she urged Sissy over a fallen log. Disappointment threatened her resolve, but she blinked back her tears and cleared her throat.
 

      
Luke had chosen his life as a priest, and she had no right to question that. She loved him, and she'd simply have to restrain her feelings to friendship only.

      
Admiring the way his hair curled at the nape of his neck, she remembered the silky feel of it beneath her fingers. And with a flash of fire low in her body, she remembered the warmth of his lips on her flesh. Her breasts swelled and ached, longing to welcome him again.

      
So much for restraint.

      
Luke had strayed from his vows, but not completely. They'd both been under a lot of stress after the epidemic, especially with the threats hanging over Jenny and Shane. He hadn't touched her since that night, except as a concerned friend.

      
A friend–get it straight, Sofie.

      
Regret and disappointment merged with determination, and she lifted her chin. She would temper her obsession with this man, and she would recover her memory and get on with her life.

      
That was that.

      
The air cooled rapidly as the sun settled behind the highest peak to the west. Maneuvering their horses along the rocky trail became increasingly treacherous until they descended into a valley, where the terrain leveled somewhat. Luke paused and wiped his brow, glancing back at Sofie with a smile.

      
"So far, so good," he said. "We're supposed to find a stream along here that we should follow all the way down."

      
"As good as Triple A, I'm sure."
 
Sofie returned his smile, determined to keep things friendly and easy between them.
 

      
Luke chuckled and looked up at the darkening sky. "We could've gone to Cripple Creek and caught either the stage or train down to Colorado Springs, but Henry said it would be faster to go to Denver on horseback."

      
A train. Sofie sighed wistfully. A little luxury would be welcome about now, but speed was more important.

      
"I'd like to find that stream before it gets any darker," he added.

      
That made sense. She prodded Sissy to follow when Luke started farther into the valley. Though the sky was still light, down here with the mortals, shadows gathered, making their surroundings more ominous with every step.

      
"What's that?" Luke brought his horse to a stop and cocked his head.

      
"What? I don't hear anything."
 
Sofie fell silent when he raised his hand. After a moment, she heard something. "Is it water?"

      
Luke nodded and prodded Rosie toward the sound, with Sofie following closely. She didn't want to lose sight of Luke in the murky light.