Midafternoon, Lee returned with a deer. While Eddie playedwith Skip under Dianne’s care, Jace and Cal followed Lee to the springhouse to hang the carcass and let it age before they cut it up. Mae had preferred canning it to any other method of preservation. Dianne had talked like she’d do the same. That done, they returned to cleaning up the barn site.
“Saw signs of someone camping over the ridge to the west.” Lee worked as he talked. “Maybe two days ago.”
“Al?”
Lee paused to consider his answer. “He didn’t leave his name in the ashes.”
Cal chuckled, and Jace grinned. “Guess it was a foolish question.”
“Wouldn’t be if he left a sign.”
Jace’s grin lingered as they returned to work, but it fled as he thought about that campfire. Was Al nearby? It wasn’t likely that the man would walk away from the insult he perceived Jace had dished out, but he was more concerned with his attack on Dianne. Would Al leave her alone? The answer pierced his heart.
“I’ll be staying near the house until Al is dealt with. So we might as well be cleaning this up while I’m here.”
“You gonna rebuild?” Lee asked.
“Haven’t decided.” Jace’s gaze went to the house.
Lee paused to lean on his shovel. “Chet would want you to.”
“Maybe.” Lee and Cal didn’t know of Jace’s stubbornness or how he’d tossed the pitchfork in anger. Nor was he going to tell them. Bad enough he had to live with the guilt, let alone having anyone else know—besides Dianne.
When she called for supper, they were all weary. Eddie had taken to sitting on nearby grass playing with Skip.
“We won’t be returning to this after supper.”
Neither of the cowboys uttered a word, but they grinned as they tossed their shovels into the wagon.
After another great meal, Jace and the cowboys left to tend to the horses.
“I come?” Eddie asked.
“Aren’t you tired? Don’t you want to stay at the house?”
The boy shook his head. “I come.”
“What does your mama say?” Was Dianne happy to let her son follow Jace around all day?
She shrugged. “Can’t see what harm there is in it.”
Whooping, Eddie was off the steps and urging Jace to hurry.
“Guaranteed he’ll sleep like a log tonight.” Jace grinned at Dianne, tucking her answering smile into his thoughts to hold forever. Laughing at Eddie but even more so at himself for his foolish thoughts, he went to the horse pasture.
Cal and Lee had driven the wagon to the hill and dumped it, and then unhitched the horses to lead them to the pasture.
Sam trotted to the fence to greet Jace.
Eddie tugged on Jace’s elbow. “I ride him?”
“You liked that, did you?” Dianne had allowed him to sit in the saddle as they left the cabin. It seemed a lifetime ago. He followed Cal and Lee into the pasture, whistled for Sam to come, and then lifted the boy to the horse’s back. Sam was docile and obedient and followed Jace as they walked along the fence line.
Dianne crossed the yard toward the chicken house, and Jace lowered Eddie to the ground. “It’s time to help your mama with the chores.”
They joined Dianne. She waited until Eddie ran ahead. “He was on the horse?” Her bland question did not disguise her concern.
“Dianne.” Jace touched her arm and waited for her to turn toward him. “I would never put the boy in a dangerous situation. I’ve grown very fond of him.” He would protect the boy each and every day he could. He would do the same for Dianne.
