He led his horse to a sturdy scrub bush and tethered the reins, then followed her. A dark cloth hung over the opening he’d thought was only a shadow. Now that he was close, he could see light filtering on either side of the door curtain. And was that the scent of food?
He reached behind his back to check the revolver tucked in his waistband. He likely wouldn’t need it, but he’d rather be prepared, just in case Miss McPharland wasn’t the only one inside. Surely, she didn’t live here alone.
He stepped in, peering around the cloth until he could see what lay within.
As the scene opened before him, he blinked. Was this a mirage?
Such a cozy home. It could have been the inside of a log cabin if not for the stone walls. Lanterns lit the space, and a cookstove sat to his right against the outside wall, a pipe protruding through the stone. He’d not seen smoke rising outside. It must have been hidden.
A trestle table sat in the middle with four chairs tucked around it. On his left, long curtains hung from the top of the cavern to the floor, probably to create a sleeping space. For how many?
He turned to the woman, who stood at the stove, ladling something steaming into a wooden bowl. “This is a nice home.”
“We call it our apartment.” She focused on her work as she spoke. “Are you hungry? I’ve had soup simmering, and it should be ready.” She sent a cheery smile his direction as she carried the dish to the table.
In here, she didn’t even seem like the same woman he’d walked with outside. Or rather, practically run to keep up with. Now, she looked as domestic as one of his sisters-in-law, serving up a meal to a hungry brood of Coulters after a long day’s work with the animals or in the mine.
This version was just as lovely as the mountain angel he’d first seen. She wore her hair in a long braid that swung as she shifted, adding grace to her fluid movements.
She set the steaming food on the table, then returned to the stove to pour a dark liquid into a wooden mug. Steam rose fromthe cup, and the aroma of coffee made his middle pinch as if he’d not eaten all day.
When she turned to take the drink to the table, she gave him another expectant look, motioning to the chair in front of the food. “Come sit, please. I’m sorry if I surprised you outside. I was just a little…taken aback to see you there.”
He huffed a breath. Taken aback for certain. Hestillhadn’t fully regained his senses.
He stepped to the table but stood behind the chair. “Are you going to eat too?” He wouldn’t be sitting until she did.
She slipped into the chair across from him. “I’m not hungry.”
Should he protest? Maybe best to just start this conversation so he could figure out what she needed and get her to take him to Sampson. He pulled out his chair and eased into it nowhere near as gracefully as she had.
The seat was sturdy, though, and he let his weight settle against the back.
Jess folded her hands on the table, her gaze finally meeting his. "I need your help to escape my father."
Gil stared at her. This woman was nothing but surprises. Escape? He glanced around. A hat hanging on a peg in the wall was the only sign of a man.
He leaned forward, bracing his arms on the table. "Your father?"
She nodded, her expression clouding. "He's...a powerful man. Controlling. He doesn’t let me leave the caves without a guard." She seemed to realize she’d been outside moments before when they met. “I can go for walks in the area, but not far. Never to town by myself, and I’m not allowed to speak to anyone. He and a guard watch me, one always keeping an eye on me.”
Gil could see where she might feel like a prisoner in need of escape. He’d felt that way every now and then himself, back before Jericho eased his fears of strangers coming onto theirranch. That had taken some time and a few hard conversations, but Jericho had finally relented—thanks to a lot of work from God and the threat of losing Dinah, the woman who was now Jericho’s wife.
Gil kept his voice calm and reasonable. Maybe he could help start that same work here. "Why can't you just leave?"
Pain flashed across her face. "I've tried. A few months ago, I made it all the way to Helena. But Father’s men found me and brought me back." A smirk marred her beautiful face. "He’s powerful, my father. And he has spies everywhere. The only way I'll ever be free is with his blessing. And the only way I can imagine receiving that..." She took a deep breath, as if steadying herself. "Is if he believes I'm married, and thus, beyond his control."
She waited, and he tried to sort through what she might be saying. He wasn’t usually so dense, but this entire situation had his brain slogging through fog.
Then a flash of understanding slipped in, and he jerked back from the table. "You want me to marry you?”
Her eyes widened a little. “No, of course not.” But the uncertainty in her gaze made it seem like she’d thought about saying that very thing.
Her shoulders lifted as she inhaled. “Just pretend. Pretend to be my husband.”
CHAPTER 3
Gil could only stare at the woman.Pretend. Not actually marry her. But still…
