John practically sprinted to the creek. It was torture for him to lie next to Mae and not make her his. His entire body demanded it. When he reached the water and splashed the cold liquid onto his face, his breathing hitched from the shock. How would he survive another night, much less several next to her and not touch her? She'd made it easy for him the night before by bantering and then ensuring there was more space. It wasn't enough, as he'd woken several times during the night when they'd touched, either her leg moving against him or his hand against her back.

He groaned and ran his hand down his front rubbing away the throbbing between his legs. When it didn't help at all, he yanked his clothes off and sank into the creek. The frigid water took his breath away, but the result was exactly what he needed. It would only be a few minutes before he had to surface, but he hoped it would serve to keep him from embarrassing himself in front of the Jacobs'.

Shivering, he dressed and went to see about breakfast. Nearing the camp, he saw the Jacobs were already up and getting the fire started. Ryan placed the coffee pot onto the flames while his wife went past John toward the creek. "Good morning John," She murmured looking up at him. "Is Mae up yet?"

"Yes," John replied looking to his wagon, the curtain remained closed. "I will check on her."

"Ryan said you planned to leave at sunrise, so we're ready when you are." She smiled and continued on her way.

He neared his wagon and looked over his shoulder to note Ryan watched him. Without preamble he pulled the curtain aside. "Mae, are you up? We are leaving in a few minutes."

Mae sat up, blonde curls tumbled down past her shoulders, her lips were pursed and brows drawn in a frown. "Oh John, I am so tired," she rubbed her eyes, and her blanket fell down past her breasts, the thin material of her nightgown doing little to conceal what lay beneath. She didn't seem to notice and made her way to the back of the wagon toward him.

"Where are you going?" John held his hands up to stop her.

She gave him a wide-eyed look. "To the creek. I have to wash up, get ready to go. Remember what you said? "Get on with it"," Mae replied in a slow deliberate tone. She tried to push his hands aside. "John, I'm in no mood for whatever you are doing, let me by."

"The Jacobs are here. And well your nightgown…it's a bit sheer."

"Oh dear!" A bright red flush covered her face, and she fell back onto her bottom crossing her arms over her chest to conceal the most beautiful sight he'd seen in a long time, which unfortunately made him wonder if another dip in the creek was required.

"Once you are dressed, come have coffee," he muttered and went to find some for himself.

"I'm not ready to get up," Mae grumbled and kicked with her heel at the flooring for emphasis. "This has to be Miss Lady's worse idea ever."

* * *

"Why are you going to Texas, John?" Mae asked the following night as they lay in the wagon, in the darkness, trying their best not to touch. "Is that where you are from?"

Her warm breath tickled his shoulder and he fought not to turn to her. He supposed it was only fair she asked questions; after all he'd asked a lot of her. "No, I am from Northern Virginia. I am looking for someone in Texas."

"Do you plan to return to Virginia after?" She adjusted the blanket around herself, ensuring it covered up to her neck. He found her attempt at modesty endearing. "I don't know. I may stay in Texas for a bit. Although my parents are getting older and may need help with the press."

"Press?"

"Yes my father owns a printing press. It's what I did before joining the cavalry." He waited until she replied.

"Interesting." She let out a soft breath. "Who are you looking for?"

He was not quite sure how to answer her question. Who indeed? "A man, a woman and a child."

Mae turned to him and in the dimness he could make out her wide stare. "Are they outlaws? Running from the law with a child? How sad."

"No, I am no longer in the cavalry and not seeking to bring outlaws into custody. I am seeking the woman and child...my child."

"What?" Mae screeched and sat up with a jolt. "Oh God. Your wife? Did the man kidnap them?"

"No she went with him voluntarily."

"Is she your wife?"

John didn't want to delve into the subject. He wasn't even sure the child was his and if the information he had would even result in finding them. He should have kept it all to himself. "Good night Mae." He attempted to roll to his side, but her hand grabbed his arm. His lack of reply seemed to have answered the question in Mae's mind.

"Oh my God," she hissed. "You are married, and you didn't see fit to tell me."

It didn't register to him until the second hit, she attempted to slap him and missed.

"Stop it now Mae." John grabbed for her hands and held her against him until she stopped struggling. "Be quiet now or the Jacobs will hear."

"I don't care," Mae told him not bothering to keep her voice down. "How could you keep this secret?" She began to struggle again, this time he released her and she scrambled out of the wagon.

"Damn it." John got up and climbed down. He made out her white nightgown as she ran toward the creek and started to call after her. Then Ryan stuck his head out of the back of his wagon.

"Is everything all right?"

John shook his head. "She's...very angry with me right now." He looked to see Mae had disappeared from sight.

"Well go after her, and apologize John, you can't let her go around stumbling in the dark. She may get hurt," John stated matter-of-factly. "See you in the morning."

"Yeah," John replied and went to find Mae.

It didn't take long to find her. She sat on the ground next to a small tree. With her arms around her knees her cheek against the top of her knees. Although she didn't seem to be crying, John approached her slowly and crouched down. "Mae you cannot stay out here. Come back to the wagon. It's cold out here."

"No. Just go John. I need to think." She sniffed, and he realized he was wrong and she was crying.

He sat next to her and placed his arm around her, surprised when she didn't push away. Not sure what to say, he did what Ryan suggested. "I'm sorry."

"What will your wife think when she finds out we traveled together? You with a prostitute, a woman of no morals."

"Don't call yourself that."

"Why not? It’s what you consider me. You don't think of me as otherwise do you?"

John took her face with both hands and turned her to face him. "I think of you as a beautiful strong woman."

"I can't with a clear conscience pretend to be married to you to the Jacobs. I wish you'd not told them we are married." She sniffed and wiped angrily at her face.

"I would be forced to do it regardless, because we are on this journey together without a chaperone. I would do it to protect people from judging you."

Noting she shivered, he sat placed his other arm around her pulling her close.

She sniffed again and laid her head on his shoulder. "Who is she? Why is your wife in Texas?"

Not ready to divulge more than necessary until he found out the reason for the woman being in Texas, his reply was short. "Carla is not my wife Mae. She's someone I knew. A woman who is going to explain many things to me when I get there."

He pulled Mae up with him. "Come on Mae, let's get some rest."

"I can't." She pulled out of his reach. "I'm simpering like a fool, over what I'm not sure. This trip, this constant tiredness is affecting me in ways I'm not comfortable with. I will remain out here."

Why would she feel this way, after all? Why would his being married cause her any duress? Surely she'd lain with married men or men in relationships before? John tried to come up with a way to reason with her, but was at a loss. He failed at controlling his temper. "Damn it Mae you are being unreasonable, now come on. I won't allow you to remain out here alone."

She stood her ground, arms crossed, her bottom lip out and her brows knit. "No."

The urge to grab her and throw her over his shoulder became strong, however he held a reign on his anger. "Fine you know what, I won't force you to do anything you don't want to." The cold air made him angrier. "Ryan knows were are fighting, so I'll sleep on the bedroll by the campfire tonight. Go on to the wagon and sleep, I won't go near it. Not tonight. But tomorrow I will."

She eyed him for a few moments; her gaze filled with mistrust, then Mae got to her feet rounded him and headed back towards the wagon.

John remained rooted to the spot. Now what? Why didn't he keep Carla's existence to himself?

His leg throbbed and he bent to rub the wound on his calf. Another thing to thank Carla for. The woman was proving to be a colossal mistake.

Tomorrow he'd see about setting things straight with Mae. That her anger bothered him so much made him ponder his feelings for her. She'd become important to him. It was certainly a complication he didn't need. Her beauty was perhaps to blame. Even Ryan Jacobs, who was obviously very much in love with his wife, had been taken aback at first seeing Mae. John noticed the man's reaction, his eyes widening before he'd schooled his expression.

No doubt her exquisite flawless beauty was what affected him and why he felt the need to be always near her and keep track of her movements. That and her safety of course.

Someone as noticeable as Mae had to be kept safe; most men would take risks just to steal her away.