“No.” Violet’s protest wasn’t adamant, and she was easy to sway. He ought to know. He’d influenced her to get engaged and married to him even though she hadn’t been ready. But he didn’t want to push her into something again. He wanted her to agree to the plan and see the wisdom in it.
Depending on how badly the house had been ransacked, he would need help cleaning it up. He could offer to hire Violet to assist with the task, although she would likely tell him she would do it without pay because it was her fault the men had come there in the first place.
In fact, with Jo-Jo gone and no housekeeper or maid to help with anything, the house had already been in need of a good cleaning. What if he asked her to be the housekeeper until she was safe again and found another living arrangement apart from her father?
“I’ll hire you to fill in for Jo-Jo.” The words tumbled out in a rush. “You—and Hyacinth—can cook and clean and do the laundry and all the other things that have been neglected. Hyacinth can do the more active work, and you can stick to the responsibilities that are easier until your ankle heals.”
Violet’s pretty lips stalled against more protest, and she cocked her head, as though she was giving his suggestion serious consideration.
“I won’t pressure you into it. But I will pay you a fair wage, and it would be a great help to me.”
“I wouldn’t expect a wage.”
“I’ll pay you what we pay Jo-Jo.”
“We’ll do it for room and board.”
“And a wage.”
Hyacinth released a sigh of exasperation. “We’ll take the wage along with room and board.”
Violet shook her head. “No, Hyacinth. I don’t feel right about that.”
“It’s fair enough. And besides, we need to save for our own place.”
Violet fell silent and studied her sister’s face. Finally, turned her gaze upon Sterling. “You know you’re a stubborn man, don’t you?”
He didn’t respond, instead waiting for her to make up her mind.
Her eyes softened and filled with gratitude. “I’ll accept your offer. Thank you, Sterling.”
“Then let’s go.” A sudden urgency prodded him. “Let’s get you both into the house before anyone sees you here.”
He’d done the right thing in offering her the job. It would keep her safe for the time being. If only he knew how to keep himself safe. If only he didn’t have the niggling feeling that he might all too easily fall for her and get his heart broken again.
A broken heart was the last thing he wanted, because one heartbreak had been enough to last a lifetime.
13
“You don’t need to carry me, Sterling.” Violet held up a hand to stop Sterling from scooping her into his arms and carrying her into the house.
She’d gotten back onto the sled and let him pull her to the doorstep. But now that she was on her feet again, she wanted to make her own way.
“You’re not walking.” Sterling’s tone held a familiar note of stubbornness.
Beckett and Hyacinth were watching their interaction. Beckett had already dismounted, and Hyacinth had taken off her skis when they’d reached the end of the field, since the ranch yard was a myriad of mud puddles amidst clumps of dirty snow.
Beckett raised a brow at Sterling as if to question his insistence.
Sterling glared back. “She has to stay off her ankle.”
“She has a crutch.” Beckett looked pointedly at the simple stick.
“She can use her crutch when I’m not around.”
Beckett rolled his eyes.
Sterling gave the ranch foreman an irritated look, then, before Violet could offer any more protest, he lifted her into his arms and started up the slushy path to the back door that led into the kitchen. His breath was warm against her cheek and his arms all too strong.
