And made him laugh again.
She pursed her lips, then covered her mouth. Her eyes flashed.
“Are you laughing?”
She didn’t answer. She didn’t need to.
“I thought you were angry.” Surprise made his words loud.
“I was. No, I am. Except I’m not.” Confusion darkened her eyes. She shook her head. “I don’t know what I am except anxious to reach my new home.”
“Don’t say it again. I’m not going to change my mind. And don’t raise your eyebrows as if you know I will.” Chet had considered Jace stubborn. His attitude didn’t hold a candle to Dianne’s.
He needed to change the subject. “How did you meet your husband?”
A content smile curved her lips. “The first time I saw him was in the store where he was purchasing something. I can’t even remember what. Guess I didn’t pay attention. He was handsome.” She shot Jace a starry-eyed glance, then turned her attention to Eddie. The boy played in the back, amusing himself on a trip that was boring for a child. “Eddie has his looks. He’ll grow into a handsome man.”
“Handsome is as handsome does.” Why had he uttered those words? It sounded critical, which he didn’t mean to be. “My pa said that often.”
Traces of her smile lingered. “I agree. I hope I can teach him to be kind, truthful, and industrious.”
At the way she jerked her attention to him, he sighed. Here it comes again. The need for him to run the ranch so she and Eddie would have a home. No doubt she expected him to teach Eddie the things he needed to know about being a man. Like Pa had taught Jace. And Chet had carried on when Pa died.
He would not think of Chet.
Why did Dianne constantly remind him of the man?
How many times and in how many ways would he have to say no to her demand to return to the ranch?
She glanced past him. “This road is narrow in many places, and there are scary drop-offs.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Will we reach town before it’s too dark to see?”
Good. He appreciated the change of topic. “We’ll do our best.” Darkness was a real concern on this narrow, winding road, but he was going as fast as was safe. Many corners could not be taken at a trot. Besides, the horses hadn’t had any relief, not like the ones pulling the stagecoach that were spelled off every ten miles or so. They had at least eight miles to go before they reached town, and already dark shadows obscured many places in the trail. The sun hovered at the top of the mountains. It would soon dip out of sight. They might have an hour after that before hecouldn’t see well enough to continue. Was there a full moon tonight? When had he last taken note of anything in the sky? It was long enough ago he couldn’t remember what phase the moon was in.
“If you believe in prayer, now would be a good time to ask for safety.” He barely finished speaking when the wagon hit a hole and bounced hard enough almost to throw her from her seat.
He jammed his feet to the front and held on.
“Eddie!”
At the fear in her voice, Jace gripped the reins harder.Please, God. Let the boy be safe.He glanced back just as Eddie staggered forward to grip Dianne’s hands.
The wheels rattled to the ground. They landed too close to the edge of the road. The wagon’s back corner tipped.
“Lord, help us!” Dianne yelled, clinging to Eddie as she clutched the seat to keep from being thrown out.
Jace gritted his teeth.
The wheels slid toward the abyss.
Chapter Seven
“Whoa!” Jace had to stop the horses and calm them before he turned his attention to the passengers. One horse tossed his head as if blaming Jace for the incident. The other blew out steam and quivered. Jace’s heartbeat slammed against his eardrums. He sucked in a deep breath that did nothing to calm his shattered nerves. As soon as the horses settled, he studied the situation.
The wagon balanced precariously, tipping at a crazy angle, one wheel over the side of the road, the one nearest him turning round and round in the air.
“Don’t anyone move.” But he must act before the wagon slid further. “I’m going to get us down, but don’t move until I tell you to.” He couldn’t say it too often or mean it more seriously. Any shifting of weight?—
The tension in his body made him ache.
