“Oh.” Had someone seen her and Hyacinth leaving on the skis that day and guessed where they were going? Or had someone heard that Sterling had gone out there to help them?
“That means Claude knows I’m helping you and Hyacinth.”
At the news, her shoulders sank. “So it’s only a matter of time now before he comes back?”
Sterling hesitated. “Once he learns I’m home, yes, I’m guessing he’ll send his men back here and try to collect you and Hyacinth.”
Violet pressed a hand to her forehead. With her crutch under one arm, her coat fell open, and cold air slipped around her.
Sterling’s gaze dropped to her now-visible nightgown, and his Adam’s apple fell in a hard swallow.
She glanced down at herself to see that the neckline was low, almost indecently so, especially for a nighttime encounter with Sterling. She rapidly clutched her coat together, then hugged her arms over her chest.
His gaze shifted to her hair, the long strands damp after the bath she and Hyacinth had indulged in before going to bed. His gaze lingered over the dark waves that hung over her shoulder and down her arm.
What was he thinking?
She wasn’t sure if he’d ever seen her hair down before. She’d been careful to keep it plaited while he’d been at the cabin. Of course, she hadn’t expected a late-night encounter with him in the kitchen. But she supposed anything was possible now that they were living under the same roof. She would have to be more careful in the future.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered, still staring at her hair.
A flush splashed through her body, warming her skin and seeping all the way to a place deep inside. “I didn’t expect to see anyone…”
“I’m sorry for surprising you.” His eyes had darkened. “I saw the light and figured you were awake.”
“It’s all right.”
He hesitated, then he lifted a hand to her hair and touched one of the damp strands.
Her breath hitched.
He caressed the piece of hair tenderly, trailing his fingers down until he reached her wrist. Then he fingered the edge of her sleeve.
She still couldn’t breathe.
“Violet,” he started quietly.
“Yes?” Was her voice too eager? She had to be careful. She’d almost ruined things with her kiss earlier, and she couldn’t risk pushing him away again or upsetting the newfound peace that was developing between them.
As if recognizing the same, he retracted his hand and stuffed it into his trouser pocket. “I’ve been thinking about how to keep you safe from Claude and your father.”
She honestly hadn’t thought much about her father since running away earlier in the week. It had been the same way when she’d left Colorado with Mother in the spring. She hadn’t missed him then either. He’d never been an integral part of her life. Not the way Mother had been.
Why, then, was she letting his mistakes take up so much room in her ability to love a man? He didn’t deserve that space. She needed a way to clean out the clutter so she was free to love another man more completely and wholly, preferably Sterling.
He was still holding the warm milk with one hand. He swished the liquid around, then lifted the mug and took a drink. “As I said, Claude’s men will be back.”
“I’m sorry, Sterling. This is our fault—”
“No.” He spoke the word sharply, then lowered his voice. “No, Violet. Don’t say that.”
“I don’t want to bring more trouble and damage to the ranch. So Hyacinth and I will move out tomorrow.”
“That’s not why I’m telling you about the danger.” He twisted the mug in his hands almost nervously.
Was he nervous about having to ask her to leave? “We’ll go in the morning.”
“You don’t have to leave.”
