His mud mask didn’t move and when she pushed at him and he still remained immobile, she sighed.
“There are a lot of things I can’t do.”
“Such as?”
Leah had to think for a moment. “You’ve just seen me doing household chores. I’ve always done farm work so I’m good at it.”
“I’m waiting,” Wes said stubbornly.
“Hunting!” she said, pleased with herself. “I went hunting with my brother once and I got so scared he brought me home. We heard a bear at night and it frightened me. Now there! That’s something I can’t do.”
“Anything else?”
“You are impossible. There’s mud in my ears even! Please let me up. Oh, all right. I can’t read, I can’t write, guns frighten me, being away from people scares me. I hate men who care only that I’m a Simmons.” She said the last with a great deal of venom.
“Guns, huh?” Wes said, seeming to ignore her last statement. Tightening his grip on her, he began to roll again.
“Wesley!” she exclaimed.
“Guns and hunting!” He laughed, turning over and over in the mud.
Leah could only cling to him and try to keep from drowning.
“Well lookee here!” came Sadie’s voice over them. “If it ain’t a couple of pigs wallowin’ in the mud!”
Leah was sure her face was red under its coating of mud, but Wesley was grinning.
“I heard you ladies think mud is a beauty cream. I just thought I’d try it and Leah consented to show me how it’s done. That’s right, isn’t it, Leah?”
“Release me, you oaf!” she hissed at him.
“Wesley!” came Kim’s voice. “Whatever are you and Leah doing in the mud together? Did you fall?”
“I think I have,” Wes said softly, to Leah alone, looking at her in wonder. He rolled off her to look up at Kim. “Leah fell and I jumped in after her.” There was a tone to his voice that was almost a challenge.
“Oh,” Kim said, blinking. “I don’t guess a person can swim in mud.”
Leah did not laugh. That was to her credit.
Wes slowly began to stand. “I guess we better get cleaned up.” He held out his hand to Leah.
She wasn’t sure whether to trust him again, but this time there was no laughter in his eyes, and she accepted his offered hand. He swept her into his arms and Leah didn’t protest.
“Wesley—,” Kim began.
“I have to take Leah to the river,” he said blandly, walking past her.
There was something in Wesley’s look that made Leah keep quiet. Behind them Sadie said, “Come with me, Kimberly, and I’ll make you something nice to drink.”
At the river Wesley left her alone, and when he walked back to camp he was frowning.
Kimberly brought Leah a towel and clean clothes.
“Leah,” she said, puzzled, “I don’t think a lady should get into a mud puddle with a man. I really don’t think it’s the proper thing to do.”
“Kim,” Leah said, “I certainly didn’t do it on purpose. I fell.”
“And Wesley was saving you?” Kim seemed to want reassurance.