His gaze darted over her as if taking her measure. She saw intelligence, but not kindness.
“I heard what you did today and I commend you,” he began formally, then rolled his shoulders, forcing himself to relax. “I lost my wife to childbirth last year, so I know what a trial it is. My children are in Kansas City with her folks while I finish this tour, then I hope to have them back with me.”
“You must miss them,” Anna said, watching him closely, wondering why he’d come so late.
“It’s not that, ma’am. It’s the fact that they belong with me. I’m their father.” He frowned. “I know I’m a military man, but I’ve always believed a wife belongs with her husband, and the children should be raised and disciplined by their parents. There is an order to things, in and out of the army.”
“I see,” she said, then waited for him to explain why he’d dropped by.
He glanced around the office, frowning at the piles of supplies still remaining to be organized, then continued. “I planned to ask you to dine with the officers tonight, but I see you’ve already eaten.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant, but you needn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine here.” She’d found the officers’ dinner boring. “I prefer to eat my evening meal in silence. It’s become my habit over the years.”
“You are a woman too long alone.” He said the words slowly, as if he thought they might frighten her. “And this is not a country for women alone. It’s the nature of things that men and women should be married. If not for love, then for convenience.”
“I’ve been on my own since I was nineteen.” She met his stare. If he expected her to be helpless and needy, he was about to be disappointed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll turn in.”
He puffed up slightly, as if not used to anyone dismissing him. Then he nodded once and mumbled good night.
Anna stood in the doorway watching him walk away, but her thoughts were on Ranger McCord, not the lieutenant. If Wynn had stepped into her quarters, he would not have left without touching her, and one touch would have made all her exhaustion vanish. He’d told her that what was between them was not finished, and she agreed. He might bruise her lips with his kisses and hold her so close to him she couldn’t breathe, but she knew he was attracted to her, he wanted her, needed her. There was no “convenience” in his passionate touch.
Dodson seemed about to propose a business arrangement. He hadn’t even taken the time to get to know her. Anna had the feeling that, in his mind, any woman would do.
Anna would never settle for so little. She’d rather have one honest day with Wynn McCord than a lifetime of convenience.
“Miss Anna?” Private Clark’s voice sounded from the other side of the porch. “Just wanted you to know that I’m on guard tonight. I’ll put my bedroll in front of your door once you’re inside so you won’t have to worry about anyone else coming along just to visit.”
She smiled. Clark was a good kid. He would have to be, for all the Texans to accept him. “Thanks,” she answered. “I’m going to turn in soon, but thought I might circle the camp once to get some air.” The smell of blood still lingered in her lungs. “Would you mind walking with me?”
“I’d be honored,” he answered as he set his rifle just inside her door threshold before offering his elbow. He didn’t seem to notice that her hair was a mess and she still wore the stained apron she’d had on all day.
She tucked her hand on his arm and they walked, talking quietly as the sun set. The camp was like an ant bed of activity with movement tonight. Someday, if the camp grew into a fort, the place would be surrounded by walls, but now most of the buildings and tents circled the stockade of supplies. Teamsters had brought in a line of wagons and everyone seemed to be helping with the unloading.
She watched the movements but spoke low to Clark. “You were listening to what the lieutenant said to me.” It was a statement, not a question.
“It was hard not to. The door was open,” Clark said, defending himself.
Anna smiled. “I got the feeling he’d come to ask me something.”