Jess scrambled to her feet
Gil rose and faced McPharland, stepping between Jess and her father.
“Hello, sir.” He worked for a pleasant expression. “You’re back early.”
McPharland’s scowl darkened, and he pushed off the rock wall to step forward. “I heard the two of you were wandering my caves again after I told you not to. I didn’t expect to come back to find you halfway between the sheets.”
Jess’s gasp did more to stoke Gil’s ire than her father’s demeaning words.
He wouldn’t allow this man to insult her, nor would he let her feel shame over what they’d just done—a simple kiss. A kiss he didn’t regret.
He straightened to his full height, making him, taller than her father, but kept his tone steady. McPharland would pounce if he thought he’d poked hard enough to draw blood. “Sir.” The word came out with just the right tone. Clipped, yet not disrespectful. “I can’t allow you to speak of my wife in such a crude way. She deserves respect from us both.”
The air in the room had grown thick. He wasn’t touching Jess, but he sensed she would be quivering again.
McPharland was building a head of steam from Gil’s words—his red face made that obvious.
Gil motioned toward the doorway. “Maybe it’s best we step outside to finish this. Jess needs to rest.” He started forward, but McPharland sliced a hand through the air to halt him.
His voice turned cold. "Don't forget whose house you're in, boy. I can make things very unpleasant for you.”
“Forus, you mean?” Gil posed the question to remind the man who he was. “You would threaten your son in law because I dare to kiss my wife?”
The man blinked, then sidestepped to focus on her. “What were you doing in the caves?”
Gil shifted toward her.
She looked like a doe facing a hunter and his loaded rifle.
He needed a good answer, now.
“We meant no harm. Gil wanted to see the bridge again. We were only there a minute.”
McPharland glared between them again, and Gil fought the urge to step in front of Jess once more.
The man’s eyes narrowed on Gil. “I’m no fool. You were searching my mine. Looking for your brother, were you?”
Gil’s insides plummeted.
When had the man learned of the connection between him and Sampson? Had he realized it from the beginning? Gil might as well come clean on that part.
He dipped his chin in a single nod, not losing McPharland’s gaze. “Iamlooking for him. Sampson Coulter. I heard he was working in these parts. Working for you.” He kept those last words even and respectful so as not to stir the man’s anger again before this final request. “I’d like him to come with us back to the ranch.”
Gil didn’t realize his hands had fisted until Jess’s fingers brushed his wrist, nudging where his fingertips bit into his palms. He slipped his hand around hers. The contact settled him, easing the whirling in his mind.
McPharland’s eyes flashed with a cold, mocking amusement. "You think Sampson wants to go back with you? That he's being held here against his will?" He shook his head. "Your brother is right where he wants to be, doing exactly what he wants.”
Gil kept his voice steady, though it took effort . "I'd like to hear that from him, sir, if you don't mind. Surely you wouldn't deny a man the right to speak to his own flesh and blood."
McPharland's mouth twisted in a sneer. "I'll ask Sampson if he wants to see you. But don't get your hopes up." He shifted his gaze to Jess, his expression not softening the least. "I'm moving up the timeline. We leave day after tomorrow. First light."
Gil’s pulse surged.
That left him only a day and a half to get the sapphires out and convince Sampson to leave too.
McPharland turned on his heel and stalked out, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
Gil exhaled a long breath, giving Jess’s hand a gentle squeeze. Tears glimmered in her eyes, a sight that made his chest clench.
