He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. They’d not held hands before, but now that he knew the feel of her, he couldn’t get enough.
He kept his voice low enough that the women working in the kitchen wouldn’t hear. “Are you worried?”
“Of course I am. You’re in no condition to leave this house, much less ride for hours in the cold. And what if my father sees you? What else would he do to you?”
So not worried about her father’s well-being. He gave her hand a little squeeze. “You don’t need to be concerned. If something happens and I don’t come back, my family is still your family. You’ll always have a place here, if you want it. And you’ll have my full share of the mine and ranch.” He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “You and Ruby won’t ever want for money.”
Her eyes had widened, the concern turning to something like fear. “Sampson, no.” She gripped his wrist with her other hand. “You can’t go. Not if you think you might not make it back.”
He didn’t have a free hand, not with his lame arm strapped to his side. So he squeezed Grace’s to add a bit of reassurance to his words. “That’s not what I meant. Sorry, I was just trying to ease your mind.”
Red rimmed her eyes now, and he could smack himself for such careless words. “Grace, I promise. I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry.”
She dropped her gaze to their joined hands, and a single tear trailed down her cheek. His chest ached, a much deeper pain than the cracked ribs.
“I’m sorry, Grace.” He needed her to look at him. To read the truth in his eyes. Gently, he extracted his hand from hers and lifted his palm to cradle her cheek, using his thumb to wipe away the trail of moisture.
Finally, she looked at him, and the pain in those beautiful blue orbs nearly undid him.
“I have to do this.” He kept his voice gentle, though he wanted her to understand how important this was to him. I'm the one who got our family into this mess, and I need to be part of getting us out of it. But I promise I will come back to you and Ruby. I'm not leaving you alone. You have my word.”
"You can't promise that, Sampson. No one can. If my father would do this to you…." Her voice broke, and she dropped her gaze again.
The vulnerability in her tone ripped at his heart. He traced his thumb over her cheekbone. "You won't lose me. Jericho and Jonah will watch my back. We're just going to scout things out and make a plan. I'll be safe as can be."
She gave a small nod, though she still didn’t look at him. “Just...be careful. Please."
"I will. I promise."God, am I making the wrong decision?
But he had to go. He knew Jedidiah’s ways better than any of them. He had to be the one to make this right.
After a long moment, she released a shaky breath and straightened, pulling her hand from his. “I’ll help Dinah pack what you’ll need.”
He watched her go, praying he’d be able to keep his promise to her.
CHAPTER16
Grace paced in front of the stone fireplace, her footsteps muffled by the woven rug. Ruby squirmed in her arms, fussing against the swaddling blanket. She clutched the babe tighter, murmuring soothing words even as her own heart raced with worry.
Most of the women and children had gone to the bunkhouse, but Jess stayed here in the main cabin with her, sewing in the rocking chair while Grace fretted.
Sampson had been in no condition to leave. He’d barely been able to walk across the room, much less ride a horse. And up against her father and a camp full of hired ruffians…
She shouldn’t have let him go.
Learning about what her father had already done to the Coulters, stealing so much from them, made her furious. How dare he hurt such good people? Even if it was at McPharland’s command.
If she had a chance to reason with her father, maybe she could make him stop this madness. Make him realize how much damage he’d already done.
“Would you like me to rock her?” Jess studied Grace, her brow wrinkled.
Grace sighed and shook her head. “She’s probably picking up on my worries.”
She refocused on Ruby and bounced a little as she slowed her pacing. “It’s all right, my love. Everything will be all right.”
Ruby quieted, resting her sweet head on Grace’s shoulder.
Grace eased out a long, slow breath. She couldn’t let her tension affect Ruby so.
