Father sat in his usual place, beside what she’d begun to think of as Gil’s chair. As she placed the dishes in front of her father, she met Gil’s gaze and tried to signal that she’d bring his next. Father would want the first serving, and there was no use angering him without necessity.
Gil’s eyes held a slight twinkle. Whether he understood her expression or not, he didn’t seem miffed about being neglected.
Father started in before she brought Gil’s plate to the table, and after seeing they both had all they needed, she turned back to keep herself busy at the work counter. She should go refill her bucket of clean water, but she couldn’t leave the cabin while Father ate. He’d want her nearby in case he needed something.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” Gil’s voice broke through her thoughts.
She hesitated, still facing the counter. It was the same question he’d asked last night.
Did he plan to feed her this morning too? Memory of taking the dumpling from his spoon surged through her, flooding her neck with heat. They certainly couldn’t recreate that scene in front of her father.
But maybe she could fill a plate and sit with them. Father had never told hernotto eat with him. She’d just always found it easier to stay on her feet so she could bring what he needed—coffee refills, more bacon, and the like. After he left for his day’s work, she could relax and eat alone, without her stomach knotting as she tried to anticipate his needs.
She turned to answer Gil, checking her father’s expression first to see what he thought of the question. Father was focused on his food, forking a bite of hotcake. Maybe he wouldn’t mind.
She reached for a clean plate and added a hotcake and two strips of bacon. The food didn’t look appetizing, but it was what she had always eaten in the morning. Shouldn’t she be hungrier since she was eating for two? The babe was so tiny, though, he or she must not need much extra yet.
As she settled into her chair across from Gil, Father took a swig of coffee, then set the mug down with a clunk. “I suppose we need to talk about plans.”
Her middle tightened. Would he try to make their plans for them? She slid a glance at Gil before she started to speak.
But he beat her to it, nodding to her father. “We were thinking to stay here another day or two, then head on to my family’s ranch.”
She held her breath, though she did her best not to let her apprehension show. Would Father allow them to leave freely, or would they have to negotiate?
He finished chewing his bite of hotcake. “That’ll give me enough time to finish up a few things. Thought I’d go along with you, meet your folks. See where you plan to settle my daughter.” He slid a look at Gil that was clearly meant to make Gil defensive.
Gil didn’t step into the snare though. Instead, a tinge of sadness touched his eyes. Was it feigned? “My folks passed a few years back. My brothers are on the ranch still. Four of them.”
Father eyed him as he bit into a thick slab of bacon. “I’ll meet them then. What say we leave Sunday? That’s four days from now.”
Gil seemed to consider that before he turned to her. “Does that work for you?”
Her throat went dry. What did he expect her to say? Was he looking for information in her face? Like whether he would get to see his brother by then? Or was he asking whether he should commit to Father’s plan? Of course they couldn’t let her father accompany them, but they’d have to figure a way out of that later.
She gave a bright smile that she hoped hid her worries. “Perfect.”
Father didn’t force much conversation after that, just cleaned his plate. After gulping a final swig of coffee, he pushed to his feet. “I’ll be in and out today.” He strode to the wall beside the door and pulled his hat from the peg as he turned back to them. “What are the two of you doing?”
Jess's heart stuttered. This sudden question felt like a test. What would he want her to do with Gil? Keep him away from the mines, most likely.
She spoke quickly, before Gil could come up with something. “I thought I’d show Gil some of the views from Triangle Mountain. Maybe take him to the little waterfall.” Both were places Father let her roam on her own. In fact, Triangle Mountain was where she’d met Gil yesterday.
He nodded. Did his eyes narrow on her? Maybe not. He settled his hat on his head. “I’ll be back at noon to eat.”
She managed a smile. “I’ll have the meal ready.”
His expression softened. “Thanks, Junebug.”
That old familiar nickname tightened her throat. It’d been a while since he called her that, but it brought back a flood of memories from sweet moments. The times he’d read her a storybook as a child. Took her on walks to the waterfall. Taught her to ride a horse. Mama had been part of some of the memories, but some had been just her and Father. Back then, she’d not questioned whether he loved her.
The reminder of so much happiness together made her almost feel guilty for questioning his love now.
CHAPTER 8
How many caves could there be, hidden inside this mountain?
Gil followed Jess into the darkness of a new tunnel, this time slipping between two boulders that hid the opening. Her father had been true to his word the night before, arriving late and sitting quietly at the table with his food. They’d all bedded down soon after, with Gil stretching out on a blanket covering the stone floor beside Jess’s higher bed. As he lay awake, listening to the sounds of Jess’s steady breathing nearby, he’d assumed sleep would be long in coming. But about the time McPharland’s deep snores filled the air, exhaustion took over Gil’s body too.
