”It ain't too late for you to go back. You look terrible.”
He lifted his head and straightened in the saddle. His complexion was almost the same color as the agonized gaze that resolutely met hers. “I’m fine. Let’s get going.”
She hesitated, feeling more than a twinge of guilt. It was irresponsible to lead him this way. What if he passed out? At least if they had stuck to the road in the buggy, he could have laid down. Still, this was the shortest route. It crossed some of the roughest and most beautiful terrain in the area. It was a perfect way to show him the beauty his company was ready to destroy – but was it worth the risk?
Seeing her hesitate, Monroe nudged Ol' Ned and started out around her. He was beyond determined. Some might even call him mule headed.
“Wait,” she called after him, and he stopped. “Let’s go this way.” She jabbed a thumb at the steep hill on her right. “It’ll add about a mile to the trip, but we can come out on Highway 123 and maybe find someone to give you a ride into town.”
He nodded. His face was taking on a little color, but he still looked peaked. He needed to see a doctor. She turned Ol' Ned and began the steep descent into the ravine below.
“I’ve got a leak,” Monroe said behind her.
She rolled her eyes. Great. They weren’t thirty minutes out. Why didn’t he take care of his business before they left? “Well,” she ground out. “Pick a tree and I’ll look the other way.”
When Ol' Ned stopped, at first she thought Monroe was dismounting. He made no sound until he finally spoke in a confused tone.
“What?”
Oh for…he didn’t need a guide. He needed a mommy. Why did he have to be told what to do? Did he expect to find an outhouse in the forest? She jerked around to chastise him and found him staring at her, obviously perplexed. He held the canteen away from his body as it dripped.
Warmth crawled up her neck, burning her face. “Oh, you’re canteen is leakin'.”
She hadn’t used that canteen in a while and forgot there was a leak at the top of it. “Just pour a little out of it and put the lid back on.”