Page 37 of Caroline’s Compass

“I was sent to find them.”

“I know. I was with you.” Thomas took off his hat and dragged a hand through his hair. “And every time the fog swallowed your wagon, I thought I had misjudged the ground and led you into a bog.”

“You did not lead me.”

“That did not make it easier.”

The restraint he wore as habit had cracked. Caroline could see the fear beneath it, and something warmer that frightened her more.

“Thomas—”

He kissed her.

His hands rested at her waist, firm enough to steady and gentle enough to release her if she moved. Surprise held Caroline still for one heartbeat. Then heat rushed through her, bright and certain. His mouth softened against hers, and she caught the front of his coat.

He drew back abruptly. “Forgive me. I assumed—”

Caroline pulled him down and kissed him again.

This kiss was hers. It lasted longer, long enough for the shouts of noon camp to fade and for Thomas's hand to rise carefully along her back. When she finally stepped away, both of them were breathing too quickly.

“The kiss changes nothing,” she said.

Thomas stared at her mouth. “That is plainly untrue.”

“We still have the same responsibilities. You still have a position waiting at Fort Kearny. I still have seven sisters.”

“Yes.”

“Then nothing practical has changed.”

He put on his hat. “It changes what we know.”

Before Caroline discovered the watching sisters, Thomas tried to restore his hat and missed his head. The brim struck his ear. Caroline caught it before it fell.

“You appear unsettled,” she said.

“The fog.”

“The fog has lifted.”

“Its effects remain.”

She handed him the hat. He put it on backward. Caroline stared until he corrected it.

“You may never mention this,” he said.

“I have seven sisters. Nothing remains unmentioned.”

A muffled sound came from beyond the wagon corner. Thomas looked toward it. Caroline hoped briefly that the missing wagons had returned with a goat. A goat would have been less interested in her kiss.

For several breathless seconds after their second kiss, Thomas and Caroline remained behind the wagon. The canvas at Caroline's back shifted in the breeze. Somewhere nearby, an ox tore grass with shocking calm.

“I should explain,” Thomas said.

“You already apologized.”

“I could explain the apology.”