“I need two rooms, please,” Bobby said to the clerk at the hotel in a small town Naomi had never heard of. Bobby laid some bills on the counter and took the two keys. “The lady’ll need a bath sent up,” he said over his shoulder as he led Naomi up the stairs. “And we’ll both need supper.”
“The kitchen’s closed, sir,” the clerk said.
Bobby dug into his pocket, turned, and tossed the clerk some coins. “Wake the cook. I’ll expect a decent meal within the hour.”
At any other time, Naomi would wince at the way Bobby literally threw money around. But right now her bones ached, and all she wanted was to erase the afternoon’s events. Since that was impossible, she’d settle for a warm bed.
Bobby led her to her room and unlocked the door. “I’ll be right down the hall if you need me,” he said. “Your bath’ll be up soon. I want you to relax.”
Icy fingers of fear slithered across her skin. “Don’t leave me alone. Please.”
“Angel, I’ll be right down the hall. I’ll come eat supper with you if you like, but a hot bath is what you need right now.”
Naomi launched herself into his arms. “What I need right now is you, Bobby Morgan. I...” She couldn’t explain the fear she was feeling. She was safe. Safe behind a locked door with Bobby only a few feet down the hall. Why was she shivering at the thought of being left alone?
“You don’t want me here while you bathe,” he said.
“I don’t need a bath. I don’t need food. I need to be with you. I...I’m scared.”
“Darlin’, I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise. Trust me.”
“But you left me.”
“I won’t make that mistake again.” He disengaged himself from her embrace and paced into the room, raking his fingers through his chestnut locks. He turned, and Naomi sighed at the sight of him. He was truly beautiful.
And troubled. The thin lines on his forehead gave him away.
“I’ll never forgive myself for leaving you there. I wish I could change the last few days for you, angel.”
“But then we wouldn’t have met.”
“That would have been better for you.”
“No.” Despite what had happened, the thought of being without Bobby felt all wrong, like a part of her would be missing. Naomi ran to his arms again, thunking her head into his chest so hard he let out an “oof.”
“You promised you’d take care of me.”
“All right.” He sighed. “I won’t leave you. But there’s only one bed in here, darlin’. I guess I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“You don’t have to. I trust you. We slept close last night, and you were a perfect gentleman.”
“You have no idea how hard that was for me.”
Naomi smiled against his chest. So he had wanted her. Maybe even as much as she’d wanted him. “You can turn your back while I bathe.”
“Trust me, I’ll have to”—he chuckled into her hair—“if you expect me to behave myself.”
True to his word, Bobby kept his eyes out the window while Naomi bathed. She scrubbed herself nearly raw. The whole of Dakota Territory didn’t contain enough soap to erase the vileness of Ike Hawkins from her body. Yet still she scoured her skin, determined to cleanse every pore. When she was wrinkled as her granny, she stepped out of the washtub, toweled off, and slipped into the cotton nightdress a maid had provided.
All the time Bobby sat, his chin resting on his hands, his elbows on the window sill, gazing into the dark night.
“You can turn around now,” Naomi said.
He did so and smiled. “That was one long bath, angel.”
“I felt dirty.” She looked down at her bare feet. “Like I’d been violated. I wanted to get clean.”
“I understand.” He nodded. “Our supper should be here soon. You hungry?”
Naomi grimaced. She should be hungry. She hadn’t eaten since... Was it the raspberries that morning? But her hollow tummy didn’t want food.
A knock on the door brought a maid carrying a tray. She set two plates on the small table in the room. Bobby thanked her and offered her a coin and then closed the door and turned to Naomi.
“You didn’t answer me. I know you must be starving.”
“No. Not really.”
He winked. “You with the ‘I’ll not apologize for my appetite?’”
She forced a smile. “I’ll try. I know I should eat.” She took a seat at the table, and Bobby sat across from her. She removed the cloth napkin covering her plate to expose two pieces of fried chicken, fresh corn, and a roll. A glass of water sat next to the plate. She took a sip and inhaled. She normally loved fried chicken.
Bobby took a bite of chicken and smiled. “I’ve had better, but it’s good. Try some. Please.”
For him, she’d try. She picked up a drumstick and bit into it. And suddenly she was ravenous. She cleaned her plate and found Bobby, his plate still half full, showcasing his perfect white teeth in a gleeful smile.
“Now that’s my angel,” he said.
“I admit, I do feel better.” Naomi drained her glass of water.
Bobby poured her another from the pitcher on the table. “Do you want some of mine?” Bobby indicated his plate.
She let out a giggle. “I may have an appetite, Bobby Morgan, but I’ll never take food from a man. You’ve had a hard day too. Please, eat.”
“If you’re sure.” His dimple flashed as he picked up a piece of chicken.
Naomi’s body warmed, and she began to feel a little safer, a little more secure, in the presence of this man. He would let no harm come to her.
Something he’d said earlier tugged in her mind. “Bobby?”
“Hmm?”
“What did you mean when you said you understood?”
“Understood what, darlin’?”
Naomi cleared her throat and went on. “Understood when I said I felt like I was violated.”
Bobby dropped his chicken leg, and his gaze. “I didn’t mean anything.”
“Please. Tell me. It’ll help me, I think.”
He raised his gaze and his eyes burned gold. “I don’t speak of it.”
Tiny invisible gnats crept over Naomi’s skin. Though she knew she imagined them, she rubbed her arms to chase them away. “I-I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t.” He shoved a fork full of corn into his mouth and swallowed, seemingly without chewing. “You sure you don’t want anything else to eat?”
“I’m stuffed, really.” She forced a smile. “But thank you for offering.”
“I told you once I’d keep you fed, and I aim to.”
“I know.” Naomi stretched her arms over her head and stifled a yawn. “Goodness, I’m tired.”
Bobby covered the rest of his supper with the napkin and stood. “You need to get some rest.” He held out his hand. “Come on, I’ll walk you to the outhouse. I don’t want you going alone.”
Naomi’s cheeks heated at his allusion to such a private, though necessary, function. “I’d prefer not to leave the room. I’ll use the chamber pot in the corner.”
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll give you some privacy then. Will you be all right here alone for a few minutes?”
Naomi’s skin turned cold, but she nodded, determined to be strong. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. Please just make sure I’m locked in. And don’t be too long?”
He smiled, and she breathed a little easier. It was a real smile. He wasn’t upset with her.
“I won’t be. Just long enough for you to take care of business, all right?” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “I told you I’d keep you safe, and I meant it.”
He left the room, and the key clicked, locking her in. After taking care of all necessary business she snuggled into bed, leaving the kerosene lamp burning for Bobby.
A few moments later he entered, and she squeezed her eyes shut, feigning sleep. He moved quietly, no doubt to keep from disturbing her. When the bed sagged with his weight, she fought the impulse to turn into his arms.