“No idea. The doctor told me he can find nothing truly wrong with it but there are a lot of reasons for Boyd to not want to test that.”
“I was wondering about that. It will probably be a surprise to him one day when he just uses it without thinking.”
“That was exactly what I thought but can’t think of anything that would work to tempt it.”
James stepped over to hand them each a plate. Abbie hastily set the baby down on the blanket next to her. It was a thick stew of beef and some vegetables and Abigail had to admit it was surprisingly tasty. By the time she finished, she was full and feeling increasingly sleepy. It had been a very long day. She glanced at the baby, saw he was sound asleep, and wondered if the two of them should curl up in the wagon. She hoped the night did not grow too cold.
Picking up the baby, she stood up and walked back to the wagon. To her surprise, James brought Matthew back and settled him on his bed. As he walked away, she climbed into the back and put the baby’s crate at the very head of the bed. Once she had swaddled the child in a warm blanket and put him in the bed, she placed another small blanket over him and then lay down on the other half of the bed Matthew had.
“Going to sleep here with me, are ye?”
“I am not sleeping on the hard ground if I don’t have to.”
Good.” He slid his arm around her and tugged her close, ignoring the twinge it caused his healing wound. “This will be much warmer.”
“Careful of your wounds.”
“They are healing much better than I thought they would. Family has always been fast healers if we get the wound dressed fast.”
“That is convenient.” She covered her mouth as another yawn tore through her. “Sorry.”
“Why? Ye are obviously tired out. Go to sleep, Abbie. I am sure the wee lad will be waking ye up soon enough.”
“He will,” she murmured as she closed her eyes. “I am hoping he is quick to grow out of that.”
Matthew pulled the blanket up until it covered them both and he watched her fall asleep. She cuddled closer with a sleepy sigh. He had to admit he was deeply curious about how she would be to sleep with. He did not mind the snuggling at all.
“Shall I move her?” asked James, and Matthew could hear the laughter in his voice.
“Nay, thank ye, but I believe I can stand it.” He glanced back at James who had rested his arms on the side of the wagon. “Dinnae ye have anything to do?”
“Did it. How are your wounds? It looked like you were moving with more ease today. Still careful, but not wincing with each movement.”
“They do pinch from time to time. Once the stitches can come out that will end.”
“Are you gonna marry the girl or not?”
“I’m thinking on it.”
“You do know you can overthink things.”
“I ken it. I am just thinking on the many things that matter when a mon makes such a move. Like whether she snores or kicks like a mule in bed.” He grinned when James laughed.
“It really doesn’t need so much planning, you know.”
“It needs some so one can be sure.”
“Sure of what?”
“That when ye ask she willnae say nay.”
James winced. “True. There is always that to consider. Want my opinion?”
“If I say nay, ye will still give it to me, willnae ye?”
“I will. I think you are worrying about something that will never happen.”
“Ye cannae ken what her feelings are.”
“Nope, but I can know she is not a woman who goes out walking with a man if she is not willing to marry him.”
“What if willing is not all I am looking for.”
“Figured that and don’t think it is all you’d get.” James straightened up. “Rest well, my friend. We will get to your home on the morrow.”
Matthew thought about that as he watched James go and settle down on his rough bed near the fire and begin talking softly with Boyd. It had not actually been that long since he had been home, but too long for him. He had begun to pine for his home months ago. It almost made him laugh because he had spent most of the time fighting in these hills but still ached for home.
He knew what it was he ached for. He wanted his brothers. It embarrassed him in a small way since he was a grown man, but he had never actually spent any time away from his brothers and, annoying though they could be, he heartily missed them. There were too many times he would see or do or think of something and wish one of his brothers was there to share it with. He had always understood that they were a close family, but he had never realized just how close. He wondered if any of them suffered or had done in the same way but could not think of a time when any of them had been away for as long as he had.
Then he wondered what they would think of Abigail. The very fact that he wondered made him believe, yet again, that he had to stop being a coward and ask the question before she decided she was wasting her time and walked away. It made him think though, because he would be bringing her into the family, just as Iain had brought in Emily. He felt suddenly sure that Abigail would fold in neatly and calmly. The baby would disappear into the growing number of children around the place. As would Noah, he thought, knowing she would get the boy, and grinned as he nuzzled her hair and curled his body around hers.
Chapter Fourteen
Abigail yawned widely behind her hand as James secured George into the traces. It was still early but she suspected it was going to be a warm day. And a sunny one, she thought happily. It could prove a good day for travel, but she hoped it did not get too warm. She was especially pleased that the night had not grown too cold, however. She had bundled the baby up as well as she could but had not really needed to. Abbie prayed her good fortune would continue. Jeremiah was still too young to fight off the illnesses a chill could give him.
Matthew braced for some pain but experienced little as he sat up and rested up against the back of the driver’s seat. He did wish his arm was not still a bit sore and useless. Abigail knew how to drive the wagon very well but he had seen all the signs yesterday of sore shoulders and arms. It was too much for a woman to do for any length of time, especially if it was not something they did regularly. If he tried to do the gentlemanly thing and take over for her he would no doubt pull out all his stitches, which would just make more work for her.
“We’re set to go,” said James after patting George’s neck. “I’ll take point.”
“Ready,” said Boyd as he climbed up into the wagon seat next to Abigail and placed the pistol he carried on his lap.