She knew better than to enter a man's room. That had been her mistake with Harvey—not his room of course, but she'dentered the house when he was the only one there, lured in by his promise of news about Eric—and she'd paid dearly for the error.
So no, she couldn't step inside this bunkhouse. Not that she mistrusted Jonah...quite the opposite. But that experience had left its mark, both on her heart and her body.
Jonah seemed to realize her discomfort, for his expression turned stricken. "Of course. I'm sorry." He stepped into the doorway. "I wasn't thinking. Let's go up to the house." He motioned for her to precede him.
As they started up the hill, the tension between them stretched like an invisible thread. She glanced his way, noting the determined set of his jaw. The sight of him, bruised but unbroken, fanned a spark of something warm in her chest.
"How did things go with Eric?" His tone was gentle, empty of the jealousy she'd seen in his eyes after the fight yesterday. Maybe he’d worked through whatever uncertainties had troubled him.
A bit of pressure eased from her chest. "All went well. Mary Ellen was shy at first, but Eric gave her a doll. They played for a while, then he left with Two Stones and Heidi. I guess he'll be staying with them."
"That's good. He stayed quite a while." Jonah must have been watching. He kept his focus on the ground now. "I guess he's doing what he can to get to know her."
Was Jonah also thinkingand you? She needed to set his mind at ease there.
She inhaled a breath of the cold air. "I'm glad for that. It's good for her to know her father." Then she looked at Jonah, slowing her walk, hoping he'd meet her gaze. He didn’t, but she had to say this part anyway. "Jonah, him being here won’t change what you and I have. Eric is Mary Ellen's father and part of my past. Butyouare my future." She managed a smile. "A future I'm lookingforward to."
Jonah stopped and studied her. She did her best to show earnestness in her eyes. She couldn't lose this man. She had to make him see she was committed.
At last, his expression eased. "I'm glad."
Yet there was still a tension that made him look tired, older than his years. His gaze shifted to the ground, and he toed the dirt around a rock. "I should apologize for getting into it with him. I just..." He scrubbed a hand through his hair, then looked up at her, and finally she could see the real Jonah in his eyes. The earnest care he didn't show many people. "I was afraid I might be losing you—you and Mary Ellen. That scared me more than anything has in a long time. You’re important to me. Both of you."
Her insides twisted, emotion welling into her throat and burning her eyes. How long had she wanted a man to say those words to her? Jonah truly was everything she wanted in a man. Everything sheneeded. A solid presence. Security. A man willing to put her needs before his own. A man who wouldn't disappear without responding to her letters.
Jonah was different. He was exactly who she needed.
She reached for him, sliding her fingers down his arm to his hand, fitting her palm against his. Then she managed a few important words. "Thank you. That means...everything."
His mouth curved into a smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling with affection. But as quickly as it appeared, the smile vanished, replaced by a wince of pain that made her own heart ache in sympathy.
"Your nose hurts, doesn't it? I'm sorry you had to suffer for my sake."
He waved off her words. "It's nothing I can't handle. You and Mary Ellen are worth it."
Such kindness. Such selflessness. He deserved a special reaction from her. She wasn't ready to offer a kiss, but maybe a hug of thanks would suffice.
She sent a quick glance to gauge his expression but didn't let herself linger in thinking about it. Just stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist.
He pulled her close, slipping his hands around her, holding her tight in the cradle of his security. He smelled good, like leather and lye soap and something else entirely masculine.
She didn't stay long. She couldn't allow him to think she wanted more than this. But when she pulled back, she smiled. "Thank you."
He gave a solid nod, then continued up the hill. "We'd better get inside before it turns any colder."
When they reached the cabin, he opened the door for her. She stepped into the cozy warmth of the house, the rich scent of baking bread and wood smoke enveloping her. Her gaze landed on the seating around the fire, that straight-backed chair Eric had sat in when he offered the doll to their daughter.
"Oh-na!" Mary Ellen's squeal broke through her thoughts.
A glance toward the kitchen showed Dinah wrestling with the squirming girl. "Hang on there, sweet one. Let me set you down."
The moment Mary Ellen's feet touched the floor, she toddled toward Naomi, doll clutched in her hand. But she passed right by her mother.
Jonah scooped her up, lifting her to eye level. "Hey there, Cricket. What’s that you have?"
Instead of holding up Dolly, Mary Ellen studied Jonah's face, concern forming a line between her brows.
She reached out a finger and touched his nose.
