“What is it?” What had brought on this sudden change in his demeanor?
“I’ll find a way of dealing with Al, so you and Eddie are safe in your home.” Fierceness steeled his jaw.
“I don’t want you doing anything to put yourself in danger.”
His expression softened. “I won’t do that.”
The evening passed as they drank tea and ate cookies, and he made plans for the ranch. His words raced from him as if he’d been holding them behind a dam. He likely had done exactly that after Chet’s death and learning the contents of Chet’s will. All along, he wanted the ranch but couldn’t let himself accept it.
The words his pa had penned and perhaps growing fondness for Dianne and Eddie had persuaded him to change his mind. At least she believed her presence had some influence in his decision.
When she no longer hid her yawns, he rose. “I’ll say good night.” He drew her close and smiled down into her upturned face. “I look forward to more evenings like this.”
“As do I.” No more words were necessary as he kissed her slowly, gently.
She walked with him to the door and dropped the bar into place as he left. The rain had stopped. Through the misty window, she watched Jace cross the yard and enter the bunkhouse. For a minute, she lingered at the window.
If not for Al, things would be perfect. Well, except for one other detail. What sort of arrangement did Jace expect for them?
She prayed for Al to be dealt with and for Jace to voice his feelings. Then she fell asleep.
Over the next few days, a sweetness developed between them. He was kind and helpful as he’d always been, but the little secret smiles he favored her with were different. If only words accompanied them. For now, she contented herself with what existed between them. But soon—very soon—she was going to find a way to encourage him to tell her how he feltabout her.
She was certain he loved her, but she needed to hear him say so.
Until he did, a little thread of uncertainty threatened to unravel everything.
Chapter Eighteen
Jace quelled the urge to sing as he worked. He’d decided to stay. Yes, in part because the ranch was his, and he cared about it. In a sense, he owed it to Chet to run it well. Mostly, he was staying because Dianne asked him to. Together, they would?—
“Jace, lookee here.”
He went over to see what Cal had found. The boys had moved a pile of debris—ashes, half-burned timbers, and pieces of blackened wood. Beneath, on what would have been the floor at the back door, a wooden sign looked up at him.Chet Berch. Cowboy. Ranch Owner.
Tears clogged Jace’s throat as he retrieved the sign. Chet had made this one winter when they’d been stuck indoors during a raging snowstorm. As soon as they could safely go outdoors, he’d nailed it to the back wall and then stood with hands on his hips, appearing pleased with himself.
Jace didn’t understand why.
“I guess seeing it there in bold letters reminds me of who I am and what I have. To God be the glory.”
Using his shirtsleeve, Jace rubbed the ashes from the sign.He’d hang it in a prominent place in the new barn once they had one. A reminder of all Chet had established.
Skip’s furious barking drew Jace’s attention. “What’s wrong with the dog?” Skip peered over the bank where they’d dumped the garbage, then looked at Jace, and barked. “Has a bear come to investigate?” He better make sure Eddie was safe, but when he turned to where the boy had been a few minutes ago, he blinked.
Eddie wasn’t there.
Jace’s insides echoed Skip’s barks, and he raced to the bank, Cal and Lee on his heels. His heart slammed into his chest with the force of a twenty-pound sledgehammer. Down the hill, Eddie lay in a heap.
Jace slid sideways to the boy. “Eddie!” But Eddie didn’t respond. He was out cold, a long bleeding cut on his forehead. Jace scooped the boy into his arms and struggled up the hill.
Cal reached down to assist him.
On level ground again, Jace raced for the house. “Dianne. Dianne.”
She opened the door at his call, and as soon as she saw him carrying her son, she rushed forward. “Eddie? Is he?—?”
Jace didn’t let her finish. “He’s breathing.”
