She slept restlessly that night. Several times she thought movement around the camp had wakened her. Maybe it was Bordeaux. After listening to the night for a while she fell asleep again. By dawn she was awake again - ready to get started. The sooner they got started, the sooner they would reach Ashley. The Indians were probably miles away, headed for Mexico. Why would they risk attacking the freight wagons, anyway?
She managed to get into her boots without dislodging any wildlife and found a fire ready. She made coffee and some oatmeal, and then went to harness her team. The team was harnessed and ready to go. Bordeaux, again? She returned to the fire and found the men filling their bowls. She grabbed a bowl and dipped out the last of the oatmeal. She glanced at Bordeaux, who was squatting near the fire, putting his breakfast away. Apparently scrounging food off the desert wasn't nearly as easy as harnessing a team of mules. She couldn't resist teasing him.
"You couldn't find any eggs for our breakfast?"
He paused with the spoon half way to his lips and raised one brow. "Snake or tortoise?"
She made a face. "Forget I asked...please."
She finished her oatmeal and pored herself a cup of coffee. Noticing Bordeaux was the only one who didn't have coffee, she poured another cup and handed it to him. As she turned away from him, Pete winked at Davis. Warmth crawled up her neck. They thought she was setting her cap for Bordeaux. She glanced quickly at Bordeaux, who was giving his coffee undue attention. Had he seen them as well? Did Bordeaux think she was flirting? The thought was unexpectedly disturbing. He was a good looking man, and probably expected such attention. Let them all think what they wanted. In fact, why not give them a little show?
After the camp was cleaned and the wagons were ready to roll, she smiled up at Bordeaux. She tried to feign innocence but her eyes were probably full of mischief instead.
"Are you going to help me into my wagon today?"
His expression went from surprise to wary and on to amused in the space of a heartbeat. What was going on behind those fantastic eyes, she couldn't say, but Pete's jaw must have dropped a mile. Davis stared at her, too shocked to speak.
Bordeaux took her elbow in his hand and ceremoniously led her to the wagon. But instead of helping her into the wagon in the same gentlemanly manner, he grabbed her by the collar and waistband and dumped her in the front of the wagon.