“Stop being so stubborn and take me to the ranch.” Each word spit out like a bitter seed.
“I’m stubborn?” He wouldn’t give her a chance to respond to that. But neither would he ignore the chance to tease her a bit more. “Those men are going to be a tad upset if I don’t stop and give them a chance to look at you up close.”
She sputtered.
“Nothing more to say?” He halted the wagon before the dwelling. “Too late. We’re here.” He jumped to the ground and reached up to help her.
“I am not getting down.” She crossed her arms and stared at the trees as if assessing them as a direction of escape.
“Maybe you should use the outhouse and have some fresh water.” Would his words placate her?
“I’d sooner die of thirst, thank you.”
“Suit yourself.” He turned to greet the men who crowded around the wagon. They barely acknowledged him.
“Lady like to come have tea?” The cowboy’s invitation included a wave toward the house. He was nudged aside by the hunter.
“Maybe you’d like the fine furs I has.” The man fingered a foxtail hanging from his hat. “Make you a nice collar.”
Dianne’s nose twitched, though no one else noticed as they studied her.
“Ignore those two.” The agent pushed them aside. “This here is my place. Why not come have a look-see?”
She brought her gaze around, and eyes like hot coals burned in Jace’s direction.
He hesitated a moment, enjoying her uncertainty, then uncoiled his arms and returned to the wagon. “Guess we’ll be moving on.”
The three men tore their attention from Dianne to the sky.
“Getting late. Be dark ’fore you reach Golden Valley,” the agent observed.
“Trail is hard to follow in the dark. Dangerous even.” The trapper gave a sad headshake.
“Sure would hate to think of ya stranded on the road.” The cowboy’s face drooped in concern, although his eyes had a feral look to them.
Jace climbed to the wagon seat. “We’ll be fine.”
“Good Lord willin’.” The trapper’s dire words sent a shudder across Jace’s shoulders.
As they drove away, he murmured to Dianne, “Sure hope your prayers work at getting us to town safely.”
They traveled a mile before air whooshed from her, and she relaxed. “Were you really going to leave me there?”
“With three hungry men? What do you think?”
“I think,” she spoke slowly as if considering her words. “You don’t want to be bothered with us. Concerns me what you’ll do when you tire of it.”
Yes, she was a bother, continually suggesting he should return to the ranch, challenging him about trusting God, and needing a ride because she failed to stay with the stagecoach. But he wasn’t a bad person. He wouldn’t do anything that put her in danger. “What would you expect me to do when I reach that point you mention?”
“Leave me with three scary-looking men.”
He ground his teeth. “If I’m such a nasty person, why do you want me to join you on the ranch?” Which he had no intention of doing despite her continued onslaught.
“I—” She opened her mouth and clicked it shut without speaking.
He chuckled. “Exactly. It’s not possiblenotto trust me and still act like I am exactly what you want…need.”
Her answering scowl knotted her brows together.
