“I am not about to sell myself to a stranger in order to have a home.” She closed her eyes and sucked in air. “Here’s what I propose. You escort us to Chet’s ranch. Run the place as he meant for you to do. And I’ll keep house, make meals, and generally take care of the house.”
“I don’t want the ranch. I don’t want to go back there.”
“Why?”
“I have my reasons.” Which he did not intend to tell her.
“Mama.” Eddie’s urgent tone drew his mother’s attention. “I gots to go.”
Mrs. White tossed Jace the towel, took her son’s hand, and headed for the door. “You do have an outhouse?”
“Just past the shed. Wait. This high in the mountains, it cools off at night.” He grabbed his jacket from the hook next to the door and hung it over her shoulders, then folded the blanket and draped it shawl-like over Eddie.
Mrs. White—Dianne—Shoot! Why was he struggling to think of her one way or the other?—murmured thanks and stepped from the cabin.
Jace hovered at the door. It wasn’t his fault she’d come planning to live in Chet’s house. Nor was it his responsibility to ensure she was safely settled somewhere. Like he told her, there were plenty of options. Why, just a few weeks ago, he’d seen a notice in the general store.
Man with three children. Wife dead.
Need housekeeper.
Matrimony if suitable.
He’d also seen the shacks some of the men lived in, especially those searching for gold. Chet had commented several times that they weren’t fit for animals, let alone a wife and children.
Thinking of the fine home back on the ranch, Jace had agreed with him.
Well, no reason Dianne couldn’t live in the ranch house. He’d made that clear.
Now, all he had to do was convince her.
Chapter Three
Dianne shivered in the brisk mountain air as she and Eddie hurried toward the small building. She let Eddie go first. While she waited for him, she tipped her face to the star-filled sky. One night, when Mama had taken Dianne outside to gaze heavenward, she’d said, “When I see a sky like this, I am in awe of God’s greatness. So many stars in such a vast sky.”
She couldn’t recall Mama’s exact words as she’d talked about God’s power and love, but she’d never forget how blessed and safe she’d felt. Dianne’s heart settled into a steady beat for the first time since she discovered her son missing.
Even now, Lord, I know You haven’t left me on my own.Though, she couldn’t deny the tremor accompanying that thought.
Eddie stepped out and waited for her to help him with the buttons on his trousers.
The task finished, she caught his chin and tipped his face to look into his eyes. “You stay right here and don’t move.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Not one step, you hear?”
“’Course, I hears.”
“Good. Don’t forget.” She’d given the same instructions back at the way station. And he’d forgotten. However, she had little option but to leave him for as long as it took to take care of her needs.
When she emerged, Eddie stood where she’d left him. “Good boy. You obeyed Mama.” Again, the sky called to her. She squatted to his level. “Son, look at all the stars.”
“Lots of ’em.”
“Yes, there are.” How could she give him the same sense of protection her mother’s words had given her? “Who put the stars up there?”
“God did.”
