But as she exhaled, unease twisted in her gut.
That had been too easy. Her father never gave in so readily, especially when his plans were thwarted. What was he plotting behind that suddenly friendly demeanor?
As if sensing her disquiet, Gil released her father’s hand and rested his fingers back on hers, still gripping his arm. She didn’t dare release him, the only thing holding her steady.
Glancing up at him, she found him watching her with those warm brown eyes.Trust me,they seemed to say.We'll get through this together.
Drawing strength from his steady presence, Jess lifted her chin and met her father's gaze. "Thank you, Father. Your blessing means everything to us."
"Yes, well..." Her father waved a dismissive hand. "What's done is done. No use crying over spilt milk, as they say." His gaze sharpened on her. "But Jess girl, you know how I feel about secrets between us."
A chill skated down her spine. "I know. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. I just...I needed to be sure..." She faltered, unsure how to finish.
Once more he waved the words away. “I need to speak with Jedidiah, so hold my dinner till later.” He started for the door, but paused and turned back to Gil. “I look forward to knowing you better, son.” Without waiting for an answer, he strode out.
CHAPTER 5
Aheavy silence settled in Father’s wake. Jess’s knees trembled, and as Gil turned to her, realized she must look awful.
His brows drew together, and he gripped her elbows, holding her upright. “Let’s sit down.” He half-guided, half-carried her to her chair at the table.
She had to push past this weakness. Her father hadn’t hurt Gil. Hadn’t even tried to. She should be relieved. Maybe that’s what this was—relief. Yet why was panic welling in her chest so thick she could barely breathe?
Gil pulled his chair around the corner of the table so he could sit beside her. His thigh pressed against her skirts, but the contact felt secure. Steady. Everything about Gil made her feel secure.
He propped his elbows on the table and leaned in. It seemed like he didn’t know what to do with his hands, but then he closed his palm over her hand. His grip was solid, the calluses on his skin only adding to the feeling of security. This man worked an honest job for a living. He wasn’t manipulative and scheming like her father.
Father’s hands had always been smooth yet hard. Father was as different from Gil as the darkness of the cave from noontime sunshine.
She let herself meet Gil’s eyes. Let herself soak in their warmth. Let her body relax, streaming out the tension with her spent air.
He was waiting for her to speak. No hint of hurry in the air between them. She had to find a way to thank him. Words wouldn’t begin to voice everything inside her, but she could start there.
“Thank you, Gil.” Her voice cracked on the second word as emotion surged through her. Why was she having so much trouble controlling her body these days?
An easy smile met his eyes, crinkling the corners. “I’m glad I could help. I don’t think it went so bad either.”
She could only gape at him. “Were you part of the same conversation I was?”
That twinkle in his eyes was enough to throw any girl off-kilter. “Sure. He’ll settle in to the idea. I think we’ll become good friends, he and I.”
She nearly choked on the breath she sucked in, which kept her from saying her first response. He must be jesting. His smile meant he was teasing surely. If he knew her father, he wouldn’t joke about the situation.
Then his expression sobered. “Anyway. Could I see my brother now?”
She glanced toward the door curtain. They still had several hours left in the day, but she didn’t dare take Gil through the passageways where they were most likely to be seen by her father. Not yet.
She returned her focus to her newhusband. I don’t think it’s safe to take you to Sampson yet. We’ll talk to him tomorrow. After my father has had time to adjust to…things. We can seehim from a distance though. There’s an old tunnel that’s not used anymore where we’ll be able to look down on the cavern where Sampson’s working.”
She pushed to her feet and started toward the wall where she hung her wrap.
“Jess, wait.” Gil sounded more serious than she’d heard him yet. Enough to give her pause.
She turned to face him.
Gil had followed and now stood far closer than she’d expected. She had to tip her chin up to meet his gaze.
Confusion marked his expression, and maybe a bit of wariness. “What does my brother do here?”
