By the time Mae made it inside the kitchen, she shook so hard, her teeth rattled. Never had she met a more infuriating person than John McClain. How could he stand there and order her about? Demand things? As if she were one of his men no less. His tone of superiority, the way he'd eluded to her work tore her in half. She had no illusions that anyone would ever treat her with respect. Even so, there was such a thing as human kindness wasn't there? With an angry swipe, she slid the back of her hand across her wet cheeks. The angry tears made her even angrier. She shouldn't let him affect her this way. Besides, she should be used to being treated in such a manner.

At the sound of footsteps coming from the back porch, she gathered up her skirts to flee, only to the damn folds become tangled with a chair so that she was yanked backward. Tugging free, she ignored the tall shadow spilling over the room. "Miss Mae," John McClain cleared his throat. "Can I speak to you for a moment?"

Since when did he call her 'Miss'? Mae stopped with her back to him. "No I don't have time with things needing to be done here in the house. I have much to do Captain McClain. You can speak to Miss Lady about anything you require when she returns in a bit from her walk." She went toward the hallway.

"I apologize for speaking to you in the manner of which I did." The huskiness in his voice told he was not used to apologizing for anything. "I was out of line."

Mae turned to face him and knew immediately it was a mistake when his concerned gray eyes pinned her. The sincerity in them shocked her, the depth of his gaze holding her prisoner. "Miss Mae, I am not ungrateful for what you and Miss Lady have done for me. I do understand both of you have done a great deal to help in my recovery. If I gave the impression of a foul mood," he paused when she arched a brow. "What I mean to say is that I was unhappy at being indoors for so long. I am not of a good temper in the mornings, but there is no excuse for my behavior. I should have minded my temper better. And I do plan to repay you for everything. I've never seen Lasitor so well behaved. He's been well taken care of, both of us have. Please accept my apology." Eyes locked on hers, he waited for an answer and she found it impossible to look away, her heartbeat quickened and her mouth became dry at his close scrutiny.

He cleared his throat and it broke the spell.

"Just let me be." Mae waved him off, angered at her feeble and lackluster sound of her words.

"What is going on here?" Miss Lady came up behind John, and Mae fought the urge to flee. She wouldn't give John the satisfaction of knowing how much he affected her.

Mae motioned to John. "Captain McClain was just apologizing for being a horse’s ass."

"Mae Hawkins," Miss Lady admonished. "Mind your language." Miss Lady turned to the Captain. "I overheard some of it. From the sounds of it, you did right to apologize to Mae. She is to be treated with respect due a lady at all times and especially in this house." Properly chastised, John studied his boots.

"Miss Lady," Mae protested only to hush when Miss Lady pinned her with an arched brow.

John cleared his throat. "I do owe both you and Miss Mae an apology. I have not been a gentleman, and I apologize."

"I accept your apology," Miss Lady told him and then turned to Mae. "And you child?"

Mae raised flat eyes to him. "I'm not sure," she grumbled.

Miss Lady looked to be somewhat mollified, and then she turned to John. "As I said, I overheard part of what you said, especially the part of you repaying us. It so happens I have an idea for the amount of repayment." Her eyes slid to Mae, and she knew in that instant Miss Lady was about to rope her into something she could not get out of.

John looked between them with narrowed eyes, but he remained silent.

Lips curving into a mischievous grin, Miss Lady took time to smooth her skirts and then wagged a finger at Mae. "You should accept his apology Mae."

Her throat dry, Mae cleared it and nodded, looking past the glowering captain's left shoulder. "I accept your apology John. As far as payment, there is no…"

"No need to repay us with money," Miss Lady interrupted. "As I recall, you have plans to go west to take care of some situation or another. It would keep this old woman's mind at ease if you would agree to accompany Mae, as she has to go to see about things in Texas too."

Old woman? Miss Lady sure knew how to wind a person around her little finger, and Mae could see John faltering to come up with a way out of having to escort her. Mae smirked at him from behind Miss Lady, goading him to come up with a good excuse to be away from the 'likes' of her. For a brief moment, he appeared to be at a loss for words.

When John locked stares with her, Mae felt the first trickle of dread. Eyes twinkling, he slid his gaze away from her. Challenge accepted. "Miss Lady, it would be my pleasure to escort Miss Mae anywhere she needs to go." His eyes gleamed with amusement when they met her widened ones. "I'll deliver her safe and sound exactly where you tell me. I assure you she will be protected. You should not be worried about such a thing."

No! This is not what was supposed to happen.

"What dear?" Miss Lady's innocent expression turned to her. She'd spoken out loud. "Did you say no? Surely you understand this is the answer to my prayers. I've been praying to God to help find a way for you to safely go see about your father."

"The stagecoach is safe enough," Mae gritted out. "Besides I am not prepared to travel as soon as I'm sure the Captain plans to leave. Didn't you tell me he plans to leave in a day or two?" She gave the smug man a pointed glare. "Besides, we don't have a covered wagon, and I cannot ride astride for days at a time. It's impossible. Thank you for your offer of assistance Captain McClain. I will go see about a stagecoach ticket in a day or two."

The hateful man cocked his head to the side. "You make a valid point Miss Mae. Riding astride for such a long journey could prove tiring with my injured leg. Come to think of it, I need to take all my belongings as well, so I need a good-sized wagon. Heck, I've plenty of money saved, so I will purchase a small covered wagon. It could come in handy, as I will need a place to sleep and live out of once I arrive in Texas. It will be at least a couple of days by the time I get everything settled. Plenty of time to pack, wouldn't you say Miss Lady?"

Miss Lady nodded, her eyes pinning Mae with a "don't say another word look". "Yes Captain, I do believe it's just enough time to get Mae more than ready to travel."

This could not be happening. Mae flew from the room straight up to hers. "No!"