Fear clawed at her chest with familiar talons. Men said beautiful things when they wanted something. She’d learned that well.
But James had never taken, never demanded. He treated her like she mattered simply because she existed. Like her worth wasn’t something she had to prove. He fought for her and was even now working to free her from the contract that had smothered her. Not because she’d done something to earn his protection, but because he cared.
Could God possibly see her that way too? The thought was too big, too good to actually be true. But here, safe on the Balfour ranch and tucked under James’s arm, the possibility didn’t seem quite as impossible as it once had.
Her hand trembled as she lifted it to rest against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heart strong beneath her palm. The warmth of him seeped through the wool, solid and real in a way that made her throat ache with longing.
Would it be wrong to kiss him? Would it ruin this haven she’d finally found?
Or would it help? If James wanted this from her, it would be easy enough to give to him. He wouldn’t press for more than a kiss. She knew that without question. James would protect her. And if this would please him…
Just as she was about to lean in, something in his gaze shifted. Almost like he was pulling back.
She didn’t move. Just waited to see what he would do. What he wanted from her.
His hand shifted from her cheek, brushing hair back behind her ear. The strands stuck to the moisture on her face, but his touch was so full of care.
His rich green eyes held hers, so soft, and almost…smiling. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to do or say anything. I just needed you to know how I felt. How important you are to me. I’ll be here. No matter what you need. I’ll always be here for you.”
Another tear trickled past her defenses. Why couldn’t she stop crying? And how could this man be so good? As if to prove that point, he captured the drop with the pad of his thumb and whisked it away.
Somehow, she had to thank him. But speaking again would probably make her cry more. So she leaned into him once more and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you.” She managed those words, then sniffed back the moisture.
He wrapped her tight, and one of his large strong hands rubbed her back.
She couldn’t let herself linger in this hold, or she would fall apart again. When she pulled back, he seemed to understand she had to get up. To leave this place and pull herself back together.
He reached for the bag of food. “Want to finish eating in the saddle?”
“That would be good.” She needed to get back to help with the evening meal. Bea had mentioned a warm stew, which would require peeling and slicing potatoes.
As they prepared to leave, Rose cast one last glance at the tin box sitting on its rocky shelf. What if she never made it back to this cave?
“Should we take it with us?” James’s deep voice rumbled near her ear.
She glanced up at him, but he stood so close, she couldn’t hold his gaze long. “Can we?”
“Of course.” He tucked the tin under his arm. “This belongs with you.”
The significance of his words settled in her chest—not just about the box, but about everything. The memories, the friendship, the love he’d just confessed. It all belonged with her, maybe had always belonged with her, even when she’d believed herself forgotten and alone.
As they stepped from the cave, the afternoon light seemed blindingly bright after the sheltered dimness. The cold air stung her tear-warmed cheeks, but the bite felt cleansing somehow, washing away the last traces of the storm that had raged inside her.
Belle stood patiently where they’d left her, snow dusting her dark coat. James helped Rose mount, his hands steady at her waist as she settled into the saddle. The brief contact sent warmth spiraling through her, different now after what had passed between them in the cave.
But as James moved to untie his horse, his boot slipped. His foot shot out from under him, his arms windmilling as he fought for balance.
His body twisted as he scrambled to regain his footing, and then he was falling—landing hard onto the rocky ground beneath the snow.
CHAPTER 17
Ice froze in Rose’s veins at the sound James made when he hit the ground—a grunt mixed with a strangled cry.
“Jamie!” She leaped from Belle’s back and ran to him. Her boots slipped on the same treacherous patch that had claimed him, but she was already ducked low and caught herself with her hands in the snow. She dropped to her knees beside him, her heart hammering as she took in his position.
He’d landed on his side, his left leg twisted at an angle that looked wrong.
“Don’t move.” Panic strangled her voice. “Let me see.”
