A large, calloused hand slipped into hers. Finger interlacing and squeezing hers gently, as she lifted her gaze to meet his. This simple, seemingly innocent touch, had already robbed Jo of her breath. She couldn't, and didn't even want to, utter a single protest as she found herself being led back into the house. Away from the open air where anyone could see them. This was hardly fitting, yet her heart drummed in anticipation. Before she could even blink, the door was closed and she found herself pressed against the wall. Wade's lips, soft and warm, were pressed against hers and a tiny little moan was breathed into his mouth as a response. The young female trembled against him, every little touch of his hands and mouth sending her mind and body soaring with delight. Her head was angled a little to the side, her lips eagerly pressing back against his, teeth nipping and tongue exploring, as she slipped her small hands behind him and spread her fingers across his back. He was all hard muscles, pure male against her. Perhaps she should have felt a little alarmed by his powerful presence and the urgency of his demanding kisses, but Jo was surprised to find herself just as eager as he was.<br/><br/>"Do we have to?"<br/><br/>The words were whispered with a great deal of regret as he broke the kiss. She looked dazed, her dark sapphire eyes glazed over with the countless emotions she was experiencing at that moment. A hint of a blush crept to her cheeks as she realized the bold words, but she did mean them. Watching that grin of his, seeing how he looked at her, it did not encourage Josephine in any way to leave the house and ride for Olmstead. No sir, she'd much rather stay right here and get to know Wade better... in more than one way. But a knock on the door and the voice of ol' Buzz forcing its way through the thick wood, letting the two lovebirds know the horses were ready and waiting, had the couple swiftly placing a safe distance between them. Even if her dad was gone, that didn't mean Wade should stop fearing getting shot. Just about all the men there at the ranch would put a bullet between his eyes would they so much as suspect he was doing anything indecent with Hank's daughter.<br/><br/>"Right. We... erm... yes. We should leave."<br/><br/>The flustered female smoothed down her skirts and took in a deep breath to compose herself. And before walking outside of the house, she lightly stroked her hand across Wade's, while smiling at him; her eyes twinkling like bright stars on a winter's night. This was their treasured secret.<br/><br/>-----<br/><br/>About an hour into the ride, Jo found herself reliving the moment again and again in her head. Blushing and smiling, while occasionally shaking her head slightly. Good Lord, she'd never have imagined herself being so nonchalant about such intimate things. But then again, she'd hardly ever even entertained the thought of ever meeting a man that'd interest her enough to make her start thinking of things like kissing. With eyes swiftly skimming the strong thighs of the cowboy that rode at her side, Jo then cleared her throat and looked up at that face she was already loving with all of her heart. In order to distract herself from the various (and rather improper) thoughts that were starting to prey on her mind, she started asking some questions:<br/><br/>"Say, when we get to town, what'll you be doing first?"<br/><br/>She realized he'd taken on this job because her father had asked, but Jo was hoping that the cowboy would continue keeping her informed of the progress of his investigation.<br/><br/>"Armstead will have no answers, I'm sure of that. And the sheriff... it's true he's dimwitted but hasn't been caught doin' anything wrong so far. So maybe he's more of a thinker than we give him credit for. Or he just gets his orders from someone that can control him perfectly like a puppet."<br/><br/>Pearly white teeth worried her plump bottom lip as Jo stared straight ahead for a moment.<br/><br/>"You think it be best to spy on him or confront him? He's a real coward, so spooking him into talking wouldn't be all that difficult. But if he'd know we were onto somethin', so would his boss get to know..."<br/><br/>On a regular basis, Jo would never really be encouraging any sort of physical confrontation or interrogation. But this was her brother's death they were investigating. Along with those other poor innocent souls that had gotten themselves ripped away from their families. It always gave her a chill to think of how quickly it could happen... for you to stop breathing and cease existing. A lot of bad people had too much power in this world, and just about anyone was armed and could easily kill anyone with a simple pull of a trigger. She would never be able to understand that kind of an act, but the female truly wondered what she'd do if she'd find herself standing face to face with the very person that had taken her brother away from her. Glancing towards Wade once more, she wondered if he'd be willing to let her trail behind him from time to time. It wouldn't be all that difficult sneaking out from Armstead, but she wouldn't be able to fool Wade as easily. And without his approval, she'd be getting no answers of any kind.