She rubbed her son’s back and wrapped the blanket more tightly around him. “Why haven’t I heard of you?”
“Name’s Jace Reynolds.”
“Nope. Never heard your name before.”
“Is there some reason you should have? Were you in close contact with him?” Chet had a friend back in Ontario. Someone he’d known since they were young men. Jace had seen the returnaddress on the occasional letters. M. Munroe. Most letters were exchanged at Christmastime. “By the way, I haven’t heard of you either.” He squinted. “How do I know you’re who you say you are?”
“My name is Dianne White, formerly Munroe.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” Though there was little pleasure in it.
“I have no place to go except his ranch.” The color receded from her cheeks, leaving nothing but the cloudy brown of her eyes. She toyed with the ends of her brown braid.
“You can live there. In fact, you can have the whole place.” He didn’t mean for his voice to be so harsh, but he couldn’t seem to help it.
“What on earth are you talking about?” The definitive edge to her tone said she suspected him of some kind of trickery.
“Chet left the ranch to me.” Before she could respond, he strode to the window and stared out at the trees. Dark shadows drifted over the clearing. Evening was upon them. He jerked around. “I don’t want it.”
“Why not?”
Tightness gripped his chest. “I have my reasons.” None that he cared to share. “There’s a nice house there you can make your home.”
Her look intense and perhaps curious, she watched him. But if she hoped for more information, she’d be waiting a long time.
“It’s all yours, and welcome to it. The house and ranch and everything.”
Silence was her only answer. After several tense moments, she nodded. “I need a home.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “However, I know nothing about running a ranch. And I don’t need the responsibility.”
“Hired men do the work.”
She scoffed. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s that easy.”
Despite himself, he chuckled.
They considered each other.
“I need a home for me and the boy.” She shifted her son, who’d fallen asleep on her shoulder.
“So you’ve said.”
“Can I go to your ranch?”
“It’s yours.”
She adjusted the boy in her arms, leaving the ax at her feet, and stood to confront him. “I don’t want anything but a house to live in. I’ll proceed with my plans.” With a shake, she roused the boy. “We need to go right away.” She stood the boy on his feet. “Here, son. Put on your clothes.” She lifted a hand and slipped it into a sleeve of the little shirt that must still be damp.
“You won’t be leaving tonight.” The boy would freeze even if there was a hope of them finding their way back.
At his words, she jerked upright, her eyes wide and mouth slack.
Chapter Two
The air sucked from the room, leaving Dianne struggling against dizziness. Did he plan to turn her into a prisoner? Without looking away, she shoved Eddie behind her, then eased her hand toward the ax, gripping its hard, reassuring handle in her fist and pulling it to her chest.
“You can’t keep me here against my will.” Her insides quaked, but she managed to keep her words strong to let him know she’d fight if she must.
His chuckle was followed by a sigh. “Have a look out the window.”
