She looked up from Ruby, though she kept patting the babe’s back. Her gaze held his, but she didn't speak.
"Your father has a lot of power in McPharland's business. McPharland doesn't care much about how things get done as long as they do. Your father uses whatever means necessary to make sure that happens. He doesn't think twice about having men beaten or even killed to make sure things go his way."
Her face paled, and she swayed slightly.
Had he said too much? He reached out to steady her, but she shook her head. “I’m fine. I’m not that delicate.”
Wasn’t she, though?
He dropped his hand, and when she lifted her chin a little, he dared go on. “I’d feel better if you and Ruby weren’t at the mercy of your father. I’d rather give you my name and make sure you have a nice place to live—a safe place. I’ll make sure you want for nothing.” She studied him with furrowed brow. He let his eyes plead with her as he said this last part. “Please consider it. For Ruby's sake, if nothing else."
Her expression didn’t change, she simply…stared at him. What thoughts churned in that mind of hers? Did she believe him?
Or did she think he was on her father’s side, trying to manipulate her into giving him control?
Show her the truth, Lord.
At last, her mouth parted as she prepared to speak. Her voice came out hesitant. “Would you expect to…live with us? Like a real husband?”
He shook his head, fighting off the burn in his cheeks at what she really asked. “You can live wherever you like. My family has a ranch a day's ride from here. You're welcome to move in there. Or if you want to be on your own, near a town, we'll find a place you like.” He forced himself to meet her gaze again. They had to be honest with each, and he couldn’t let embarrassment get in the way of anything she needed to ask. “I won’t expect anything from you. Nothing like in a usual marriage.”
Her shoulders sagged a little, as if in relief. But a small furrow remained between her brows. "Why are you doing this? Why would you willingly burden yourself with us?"
He let himself consider her question. Whydidhe want her to say yes so much? He didn’t owe her anything. She was the daughter of his enemy—kin to the man who stole a year's worth of sapphires from his family.
But this woman was different. Nothing like Jedidiah. And for some reason, he craved to keep her safe. To protect her from the evil who’d sired her. She didn't deserve to be at that man's mercy. Nor did the sweet child.
Sampson could help hersoeasily. Not only did he have money from his share of the sapphires, which he’d saved for years, he also had his pay from McPharland.
He swallowed as he tried to put all this into words. “I can help you.” His voice graveled with how much he wanted to do that. And then he let himself say the real truth. “And maybe in helping you, I can make up for my own mistakes.”
Seconds stretched as she searched his face. Something in her eyes seemed to say she understood him. Maybe too much.
At last, she gave a slow nod. "All right. I'll marry you, Mr. Coulter." Her arms tightened around Ruby. "To keep her safe, I'll do whatever I have to."
Relief washed through him, though it was tempered by the knowledge of what lay ahead. Marrying her was the easy part. Figuring out how to extricate her and Ruby from her father's clutches and put an end to the man's crimes for good—that would be far more difficult. And exceedingly dangerous.
One step at a time. He had to secure her safety first. The rest would come.
He allowed a smile. “I’m glad.” Then he tipped his head toward the door. "I'll go find the deputy and see if he can meet us here in an hour. Is that enough time for you to get ready?"
She nodded. "I don't need long." Of course she didn't. She’d not had weeks to plan an elaborate ceremony. This was probably nothing like the wedding a young woman might dream of. His chest squeezed at the thought how disappointed she must be.
He reached for the door but paused, looking back to meet her eyes once more. "It will be all right, Miss Hampton. I promise."
Her lips trembled, but after a moment, she nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Coulter. Truly."
The earnestness in her voice, despite the circumstances, undid him. He struggled to clear the tightness in his throat. “You’re welcome to call me Sampson.” His brothers called him Sam sometimes, but he’d never liked that nickname.
The shadows in her eyes eased a little. “You can call me Grace.”
Grace. He let his mouth shape the word. “I like that name. It suits you.” Her beauty outshone any sapphire, that was for certain.
He allowed himself a final look at the woman and child who would soon be his family. He would be a lucky man, even if the marriage didn’t come in the usual way or with the typical advantages.
Then he slipped out. Time to set the next step in motion.
The sooner they wed, the sooner he could spirit her and Ruby away from here. To safety.
