Angela took the chair on Jess’s other side, with Jude next to her. Murmurs filled the room while others settled into the remaining seats.
As she took in the group surrounding them, something inside her eased.
A family. All these people were Gil’s family, and so far, they seemed kind and willing to accept her. Even when she’d shown such weakness.
Gil’s thumb stroked her hand again, and she turned to him. That good eye soaked her in, it’s warmth undeniable.
“I’m glad you’re here.” He spoke quietly, his words only for her.
She swallowed down a fresh lump in her throat. “I am too.”
And she truly was.
CHAPTER 23
“Can I walk with you back to Jude’s? I’m going that way.”
Jess slid a glance at Gil as they strode up the slope from the barn to the main house. “You happen to be going that way?” She couldn’t help teasing. Only rocks and trees lay in the direction of Jude and Angela’s cabin.
He gave a casual shrug. “I’m going that way if you are.” The corners of his mouth tugged. “I told Jude I’d bring him a bag of nails too.”
With the warm afternoon sun chasing away the deepest autumn chill and almost a full day spent with Gil and the Coulter women, how could Jess not smile?
These five days since they’d arrived on the ranch had been a little slice of heaven. A heaven she’d dreamed of but hadn’t been sure even existed this side of eternity.
The only thing that spoiled her peace was the ever-present threat of an attack from her father’s men. Gil’s brothers were keeping guard, though, and not one of them treated her like she was connected with her father’s sins in any way. She’d never expected to feel so welcome here. Or anywhere, for that matter. She hadn’t experienced a similar feeling since her mother’s passing.
Watching Gil interact with his family gave her so much insight into how he’d come by his easy charm. The tender affection in his smile as he played with his nieces, the little girls' delighted giggles ringing out across the yard. The respect and camaraderie evident in his conversations with his brothers.
And when his gaze met hers across the room, the warmth and tenderness there stole her breath. She could imagine a future where she belonged on this ranch. With Gil. Where her child would be surrounded by love and laughter. They would both be free from the shadows of her past.
“Is that a yes then?” Gil nudged her back to the present with his words.
She sent another look, this time maybe a little coy. “I suppose that would be fine.”
They both knew she wanted him near anytime he could manage it. His ribs were starting to heal, and since Dinah wrapped them in a tight bandage, he’d been out of bed far more than he’d rested. The swelling had almost completely left his face too. Now when he smiled—as he was doing at the moment—both sides of his mouth rose equally.
The bruises had lightened to a pale yellow-green. An awful color, truth be told, but at least she could better see the real Gil through the bruising.
They reached the house, and he opened the door for her.
“Let me just get my heavier coat and I’ll be ready.” She stepped inside and pulled her jacket from the peg by the door.
Dinah emerged from her bed chamber, wiping her hands on her apron. "Heading back down the mountain?" Her smile felt so warm and genuine. Like a motherly elder sister.
"Yes, Gil’s walking with me." She couldn't help the hint of pleasure that crept into her voice. It’d been wonderful having him so near these past few days.
She’d been staying with Jude and Angela, which was about a ten-minute walk from the main house, close enough she saw him and the others often. But it was nice to have the quiet there with Angela too. Neither Angela nor Jude talked overmuch, which was a relief. And for the first time since Jess had learned of the baby, she could finally speak openly about her condition and ask Angela all the things she’d wondered.
With a final wave to Dinah, she and Gil stepped back into the crisp mountain air.
As they walked the worn path to Jude and Angela's cabin, Jess breathed deeply, savoring the sweet scent of pine and wood smoke that always seemed to hang in the air here. Peace settled over her, a peace she'd only ever found in Gil's presence. With him, the burdens of her past seemed to lift away. She could be open with him, free to speak her thoughts.
He’d already witnessed her greatest shame—her father’s evil—and he didn’t blame her for it. He treated her like she was her own person, not permanently soiled by her blood connection to Simon McPharland.
Gil showed her so much respect, far more than she deserved. Sometimes so much she didn’t always know what to do with it.
They walked in companionable silence for a time, arms brushing occasionally.
