“Oh?” His face is the picture of innocence but his eyes are sparkling with poorly contained amusement as they flick from me to Aiden. “What about?”
I wonder, if I throw myself from this wagon, would it be enough to knock me unconscious for a few days again? Likely not. Likely would only be enough to injure myself. Both physically and emotionally when the humiliation proves not to be fatal.
I opt instead for a change of topic. “I was only thinking…is it wise for us to go this way? To go into any town for that matter? What if someone comes looking for us after what happened in Preston?”
“Always a possibility, but peopleusuallydon’t have much desire to see me again after we part ways. Don’t like to be reminded of their missteps,” he says, grinning. “And Aiden made sure that no one could easily connect us to the other matter.”
I note the way Cypress holds the wagon reins loosely in his hands as he sits at my side and casually mentions the four men his partner killed as “the other matter.” All the while, his horse—who I have now come to understand has the very dignified name ofCerberus—needs little encouragement to follow where Aidenand his own horseHeliosare leading us. I don’t need to ask to be positive that Cypress had a hand in naming both of them.
That, along with the other clear shows of blind faith, makes me wonder even more how long they have been traveling together. How long it took for them to develop the sometimes silent way they communicate, the effortless way they pass off tasks and belongings while knowing exactly where the other will be. What the other will need.
Watching them efficiently pack up camp and hunch over spread-out maps to settle on a path of travel this morning had been strangely fascinating to me, the trust between them something I had never come close to encountering within my own family.
Must be freeing…to have someone to depend on in that way.
“How did he make sure?” I ask Cypress. “Won’t people realize that you and Aiden left town the same night those men were killed?” I suppose I should ask the same about myself. Although, I can’t really picture anyone being terribly concerned about my absence. The sheriff and Zeke are probably relieved I’m no longer around to pester them, and Mrs. Jensen will likely be busy with her daughter after what happened to Jake.
“Lots of people passing through Preston on any given night,” Cypress says. “Many of whom saw me leave without looking back. All of whom likely never noticed Aiden. I’m not concerned.”
How could no one notice Aiden?is what I want to ask, but given it might draw attention to how muchInotice him, I instead reply, “Then why put so much immediate distance between us and Preston?”
“An abundance of caution,” Cypress replies, posture still relaxed despite my questions. “Aiden tends to be somewhat of a worrier.”
The warning look Aiden sends Cypress over his shoulder tellsme that he is listening even from a few paces ahead, as does his grumbled reply. “Someone has to be. Usually it’s the only thing keeping you alive.”
Cypress frowns, confused. “I thought it was my personality.”
Aiden barks out a laugh. “No, that’s what usually almost gets you killed.”
I look at Cypress, half expecting him to appear upset, but he only grins as he turns to me. “What is your opinion, Cora, since you’ve been sat beside me all day? Are you currently thinking of how to kill me?”
“No,” I answer a little too loudly. My cheeks redden again. “I like your personality.”
His smile widens further as Aiden shakes his head and cues Helios to a brisk trot a few paces ahead. Cerberus, likewise, picks up the pace, and I turn back to check that Tess is still cheerily following the wagon. These last several days have given her more exercise than she’s had in months, though she seems delighted rather than fatigued.
The longest journeys I had been taking her on recently were back to the farm to visit my father’s grave, and I feel a pang of regret thinking I may never have the opportunity again. If I’d known, I would have brought him something, not that I really have anything to give.
Maybe someday, after we find the man responsible, I will be able to pay him a visit. If only to tell him that it’s over, to say how sorry I am one more time. Maybe I could check in on Mrs. Jensen, too. The chilliness of her reception aside, she had given me more of an opportunity than anyone else, and I’d thanked her by leaving her with a mess despite my word. As well as without a son-in-law. Poor of an excuse as Jake had been for one, I can’t help feeling I owe her something for the trouble, especially since I never would have met Cypress if she hadn’t given me the job in the first place.
I frown, remembering a question I’d had once before, but it puzzles me even more now that I’ve had an opportunity to witness Cypress and Aiden together.
“Cypress?” I start, keeping my voice low, and he bends his head to show he’s listening. “Why didn’t Aiden stay at the boarding house, too?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Did he not?”
“Mrs. Jensen said you were the only guest.”
“Perhaps she miscounted.”
“He wasn’t at breakfast.”
“He could’ve slept late.”
I arch an eyebrow at him. “There was only one bed slept in.”
“Ah, of course.”
“So why didn’t he stay there, too?”