Bass woke in a tangle of Charlie. Once his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, he lifted his hand to stroke her cheek, unable to resist tracing her jaw like he had done just days before.
His touch caused her to burrow even further into his arms, mumbling Miles’ name in her sleep. Holding his breath, Bass waited to see if she said anything else.
She must have sensed something was off because her fist tightened on his shirt as her lashes fluttered open.
“What’s wrong?” She whispered, searching his eyes.
“You were talking in your sleep.”
Her cheeks flamed as she let go of his shirt, pulling her legs back together untangling them from his. “Sorry.”
“It’s alright. We can get an early start this way,” he said, holding out his hand as he stood.
Charlie grabbed hold, letting him pull her up against him. She bit her lip as…show more content… “Lost my damn readers a ways back,” Bass grips as he hands the documents over to the man. “I was hoping we might be able to pick up some supplies while we were in town.”
The man looks over the letter and deed, handing them back to Bass with a nod, before shouting up at the men above, making a circular motion with his hand.
Charlie watches as the gates guarding the town open enough for them to enter single file and then close again, another man waiting on the other side for them.
“How can we help you folks?” he asks, not much friendlier than the first man.
“We’re looking for Ronnie Hutchins and were hoping to spend a few diamonds in your general store.
“General store’s three blocks down. I’ll send someone to fetch Ronnie and have him meet you there.”
“Appreciate it,”’ Bass replies as he clicks to his horse to get it moving again. Making sure that Charlie’s right beside him.
***
Inside the General Store they were visiting with the owner's wife as they gathered up the staples they’d need when the small bell over the door tinkled causing both he and Charlie to
