“Why don’t you go upstairs and get some sleep?”
“How can I sleep knowing that man is out there?”
“I don’t intend to leave you unprotected. I’ll be in a chair on the porch with the gun. Tomorrow, I’ll find the bars for the door.” Chet used to keep a bar on the company door, but although there were slots beside the side door, Jace had never seen it in place. “Go on. I’ll keep you safe.”
Her gaze was long, hard, and searching. Then she lowered her focus to his chest and further to his bare feet. A smile teased the corners of her mouth. “You might want to finish dressing.”
He splayed his hands over his chest. His skin grew hot. “I’ll be right back.” He burst from the house, intending to run to the bunkhouse, but as soon as his bare feet hit the ground, he was reduced to picking his way back.
Muffled laughter followed him.
Huh. She didn’t need to find this so amusing, especiallywhen it was to save her that he’d dashed out in such a hurry. His fingers proved clumsy as he pulled his shirt over his head, then sat to put on his socks and boots. The night air held a chill, and he grabbed a lined jacket and shrugged it on as he crossed the yard.
“I’m back,” he announced at the door. “You’re safe. Go to bed.”
A grin lingered in her eyes. “Did I thank you?”
“I dunno, did you?” He lessened the distance between them and waggled his eyebrows. “What’s the best way to thank a guy?”
“Oh, you.” She waved him away. “Thank you, and good night.” His laughter followed her up the stairs.
When the bedroom door clicked shut, he turned down the lamp, retrieved the rifle, and settled into one of the porch chairs.
How often had he sat here with Chet and listened to the man’s story and wisdom?
That was over and done with, but he couldn’t leave until Al had been dealt with. Could he hope the man would ride away and never be heard from again? Or at least settle in at one of the mining camps.
For certain, Dianne couldn’t stay alone until Al was out of the way.
Dianne laythe heavy coat over the trunk and crawled back under the covers. She shivered even though—apart from her feet—she wasn’t cold. It was nerves. What would have happened if she hadn’t been able to free her hands and hit that man? Was she protected with Jace guarding the house? She had to believe she was, although she might never sleep again.
Eddie sighed as he shifted in bed.
At least her son was safe and had no idea it could have been otherwise.
Thank You, God, for protecting us and that Jace is still here.
How readily she’d flung herself into his arms. How right ithad felt. Until she realized he didn’t have a shirt on. Heat raced up her neck and stung her cheeks at the memory of how she pressed her face to his warm chest. So safe. So protected.
Again, she thanked God.
Sleep claimed her until Eddie called, “Mama, I get up?”
With a noisy yawn, she pulled herself awake and hung her legs over the side of the bed. “Can you dress yourself?” She’d put out clean clothes last night.
He dressed in record time and clattered down the stairs and out the door. “Skip.”
The dog gave him a noisy greeting.
“What you doin’ here?” No doubt Eddie had spied Jace.
Dianne couldn’t hear his reply as she readied for the day. The woolen coat draped over the trunk reminded her of last night, and she shivered.
Downstairs, she prepared breakfast and listened to Jace and Eddie.
“Whatcha gonna do today?” Her son’s curiosity rang clear.
“I don’t have a plan.”
