Heal My Heart

FIVE

Nicolette came back to the hideout about three hours later. Her trip home had been successful, as was collecting everything Adrian needed, but when she tried to head back to toward the area, she saw three men atop their horses near the road that she'd take to enter the forest. She wasn't certain if these were the same men, but one man's coat was the tattered rusted color that had been outside the hideout. Thinking he might recognize her, she hurried back home.

Before leaving the house again, she'd changed clothes. Mainly because Aunt Betty was awake and would certain say something about Nicolette's trousers. Not only that, but she had Adrian's blood on her blouse, so she needed to put on fresh clothes.

She really hoped Adrian didn't think she had freshened up for him. That would be ridiculous. Never would she have those kinds of feelings for him. Even though... when he had brushed the lock of hair off her forehead and his fingers trailed down her face to her neck, she'd experienced sensations jumping inside her body that she'd never have happen before. Men had caressed her cheek before, and a few had even kissed her, but they hadn't stimulated any kind of reaction from her body.

However, that didn't mean anything. She shook her head as she moved the foliage aside. She had felt those warm tremors inside her only because his touch had startled her. That was all.

She led the horse inside and glanced at the cot. Adrian was asleep. It would be best not to wake him up yet, so she quietly blocked the entrance with the foliage. She led the horse to the wall where she'd spread out some hay for her horse when she came to the office.

Thankfully, her horse had already arrived back at the house after bucking her off this morning, and nobody had wondered what happened to her. Uncle Teddy had a few servants, but they were mainly there to help Aunt Betty. Nicolette didn't want to think too much about the fact that she wouldn't be missed if she disappeared for a few days. Then again, she was of age and should have been married by now.

Adrian's words had stung when he pointed out why she hadn't been married yet. Although she had dreams of finding a wonderful and loving man who wouldn't mind her career choice, she hadn't sulked when her beaus gave up on her, either. She just didn't feel quite ready for marriage yet.

Once Adrian's horse was settled, she unloaded the bags that held the supplies. She had to sneak into Adrian's room and look through his trunks. They had arrived two days ago, so thankfully, he would at least have extra clothes to wear. And taking food from the kitchen was easy, since she'd been doing that for several years now. However, it was more difficult to sneak into Teddy's study to take a rifle and some ammunition only because she wasn't used to getting into his things.

After she had everything put away, she built a small fire and placed the coffee pot on the hot coals. She also hung a pan over the fire to warm up some beans. Periodically, she peeked over her shoulder at Adrian who still slept peacefully.

It still irritated her that he was back in her life. He hadn't changed that much, even though he proclaimed to be a different man. She may be able to forgive him for most of the things he teased her for as a child, but forgetting would be difficult.

After she had moved in with her aunt and she realized that Adrian resented her presence, it hurt her. After all, she hadn't had any siblings to talk with, and Adrian was the closest thing she had to one. Of course, she couldn't think of him as a brother, and he had constantly reminded her that they were not related.

Her mind returned to something he had said earlier today when she was trying to convince him to trust her. He'd said – Given the situation of our childhood, do you think that will ever happen?

She frowned. The way he'd said it made her think that this was all fault. What had she ever done to break his trust? She, on the other hand, had several reasons not to trust him.