If only she could say or do something to free him from that load of guilt. But nothing came to mind. Nor did she think of anything before they reached the ranch.
They stopped in front of the house, and he handed her down.
It couldn’t end this way.
“You’ll join us for supper?” How odd to invite him when it was his ranch. Perhaps he needed to remember that.
But his gaze fixed on the ashes of the barn.
How was she to recreate the pleasantness they’d shared on the picnic? What could she do to remind him of their kisses?
Boldly, she touched his mouth. “Thank you for a very pleasant afternoon.” Then, with her heart battering against her ribs, she fled indoors.
Chapter Fifteen
Jace unhitched the horses and gave them feed and water though he didn’t remember leading them to the pasture. His thoughts had stalled at the way she brushed her warm fingers across his lips and thanked him for the afternoon. Did her thanks include their kisses? Surely, that’s what she meant by her touch.
Laughter erupted from him, drawing startled looks from the horses.
“Never mind.” He waved away their concern and curiosity. “You’d never understand.” He turned and was confronted with the pile of debris that had once been the barn.
How could he stay with the weight of his guilt?
How could he leave when her presence drew him like a bee to sweet flowers?
At the bunkhouse, he looked inside as if to assure himself that Cal and Lee weren’t back. Though, he didn’t need to see the empty interior to know that. Their horses were absent. Right. They weren’t here. Al was still a danger. Jace didn’t have any choice but to stay to ensure Dianne’s safety.
Might as well make himself useful. He grabbed the hand wagon and shovel and began scooping up debris and ashes.
Eddie tramped across the rubble to Jace’s side. “I help?”
Ah. The uncertainty in the boy’s voice ached through Jace. He had a loving mother, but he was fatherless. Maybe he longed to be part of a man’s world. Jace found a small shovel used mostly for cleaning ashes from the stove and handed it to the boy.
“I’d appreciate help.”
Eddie scooped up a shovelful and carried it carefully to the wagon. Just as carefully, he tipped the contents out and, with the tip of his tongue touching his lips, got another scoop. He paused, saw Jace watching him, and straightened.
“I not do this all myself.”
That scolding note brought a hoot of laughter from Jace. When he could talk, he grinned at the boy. “Are you accusing me of being a slacker?”
“What a slacker is?”
Jace shoveled in dirt. “Something you and I aren’t.”
“Good.” The boy continued to work with Jace doing his share.
“The wagon’s full. Wanna help me empty it?”
Eddie nodded hard enough to send his hair into a frenzy around his face.
The boy grabbed the wagon handles, and Jace put his hands behind Eddie’s. Together, they pushed the cart to the side of the hill and tipped out the contents.
Standing back and dusting his hands, Eddie nodded. “We working hard.”
“Yup.” Side by side, Eddie trying to match his steps to Jace’s, they returned to the job.
Both of them were sweaty and grimy when Dianne called them for supper.
