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shrugged, willing to prolong his cheerful attitude as long as she could. “Despite what you may think, Jed, I'm a very simple girl."
    Jed cocked one eyebrow at her, then pointed to her trunk. “That's why you brought enough goods to stock Miller's Mercantile, right?"
    Caite opened her mouth for a smart reply, but instead looked at him suspiciously. “You're teasing me, Jed."
    He smiled his glorious, irresistible smile. Her knees weakened. He may not be the most personable man in the world, but he certainly is handsome. He had not put his hat on this morning, and the sun picked up a multitude of amber highlights in his raven-colored hair. His gold-touched green eyes twinkled and his straight white teeth shone. A very handsome man.
    The man in question seemed to realize she was staring, for he turned his gaze from hers abruptly. The smile faded, its passing like the winter sun ducking behind a set of storm clouds. Motioning to the wagon seat, he said, “Well, let's move on then."
    There was no arguing about him helping her aboard today. Caite waited willingly for his hands around her hips before placing her foot on the wheel and hoisting herself to the seat. Was it her imagination, or did his hands linger a second too long around her waist?
    As they rode along in a companionable silence for some miles, Caite reflected that perhaps today would make up for yesterday. Deciding to forget all the harsh words that had passed between them, she turned the full force of her smile on Jed. After all, she was not entirely unaware of her charms.
    "It seems to be cooling a little bit,” she remarked.
    Jed glanced overhead and looked grim. “I think those are storm clouds. We may be in for some rain."
    "Oh, I hope not.” Caitleen frowned. “You said if it rained the trip could last longer. I am anxious to get to Heatherfield."
    Jed flicked his gaze her way, then back to the sky. “That's right. With good weather, we should be home tomorrow afternoon. If it rains, we may be stranded for a few days."
    "Stranded?” Caite's voice was small, but she tried to sound as if the idea did not bother her. “Would we have to sleep under the wagon?"
    "Under the...” Jed looked at her curiously for a moment, then chuckled. “Not if I can help it. There's a cabin not far from here. It's not in the greatest shape, but I reckon it'll keep the rain off. If we make it there in time, that is."
    He looked again at the rapidly darkening sky. A thick blanket of clouds covered the formerly intense sun. The air had cooled considerably, and the breeze had picked up so Caite's ringlets whipped about her face. Jed clucked to the horses, urging them to go faster. Caite clung to the seat as the wagon bounced horrendously, threatening to jounce her off. Wincing at the beating her bottom was taking, she nevertheless tried to keep the conversation going. After all, the whole morning had passed without an argument. She was not about to let a little storm ruin their good start!
    "Do you think we'll get there before it starts to rain?” Her voice jarred raggedly from her throat.
    Jed turned to look at her again, eyebrow cocked. “Afraid of getting wet, Miss O'Neal?"
    "I won't melt, if that's what you are implying,” Caite retorted before she could stop herself. Drat that man! He took all her best intentions and turned them upside down. Now she had nearly lost her temper again. “I merely asked what you thought."
    "I could think a sight better if I didn't have to listen to you jabbering, Miss Chatterbox,” Jed shot back.
    There. He had succeeded in making her angry again. Just when she thought it might be possible they were going to get along, he had to go and say something rude to her. Caite thinned her lips and crossed her arms fiercely. She was not about to let him win this one! She would keep her tongue if it was the last thing she did. Jed Peters was ill-mannered and disrespectful, but he was her only choice right now. It was either put up with him, or head