Beyond the Green

37

He was gone for only a moment, returning with a parcel under his arm and a funny look on his face. Handing it to me without a word he waited as I opened it. Beginning to frown, I pulled away a few layers of cured animal hide, picking up a piece of paper tucked inside. A single word was written on it. Molly.

Two simple moccasins were tucked inside. My frown melted into a smile as I picked one up to examine it, turning it over in my hands.

The leather was almost white, the sole thick with several layers of hide and sown to the rest of the moccasin with sinew. I wondered at how long Kajiak had worked on them, and that he would even remember I would need shoes. I looked at Nolan and found him smiling at me.

"Did you know?"

"He mighta dropped it in passin' that he was needin' your foot size."

"How did you know what to tell him?"

"I know every detail of you," it tripled my heartrate, then he grinned. "At least, the bits I've seen."

"Nolan!"

"What."

"You can't say things like that!"

"Why not?"

"It's not- it's just..." he laughed at me as I sputtered for the right words. "This isn't funny!"

"Oh yeah it is," Chuckling still, he leaned against the wagon, smirking. "You gonna put 'em on? We got a long way to go."

Face hot, I slipped my feet into the moccasins, wiggling my toes. They fit perfectly and were comfortable. Stepping off the porch I let him lift me up to the wagon seat. He gave my waist a gentle squeeze. Scooting over, I slid my arm around his and lay my head against his shoulder as he sat down. The whip popped in the air as he called the horses to move.

Kelton was bustling with activity, people everywhere. Proper ladies with hats and parasols, gentleman with coat tails and walking sticks, plus the normal assortment of people found in a small western town. I think every head turned as Nolan lifted me from the seat to set me down. The women I saw shook their heads in disapproval, frowning at my appearance. Setting my shoulders, I decided to ignore them.

When Nolan offered his arm I took it, chin up.

The faithful little bell of the general store chimed, and Mister Percy popped up from behind the counter. His expression went from smooth politeness to outright shock. I stared at him until Nolan cleared his throat stepping forward. Percy reacted like he'd been stung, almost leaping forward.

"Mister and Missus Tyler! What a pleasant surprise! How nice to see you both looking so, so - rested!" I got the feeling he wanted to say alive.

"Percy," Nolan acknowledged the man's greeting and shook the outstretched hand offered. His features were set, unreadable.

"Mister Percy, it is wonderful to see you again as well. I hope you have been well?" I took the hand he offered to me.

"No complaints Missus Tyler, none at all! Been busier than a hornet's nest around here since they made Kelton a temporary stop for the stage."

"That explains all the folk." My husband indicated the streets outside.

"Yes. This little town won't ever be the same."

I could tell Nolan was losing patience with idle talk. He was not a man who batted around words carelessly. He said what needed saying, and usually wasted no time. I smiled, reaching for the list in Nolan's hand.

"Mister Percy, would you be good enough to fill this for us while we run a few errands? We'll be back to pick them up." The storekeeper glanced at the list and nodded.