“Growth is good,” Jonathan said. “But it does come with risk.” And risk wasn’t something he cared to contemplate when it came to the safety of those he loved.
Mrs. Bell eyed Catherine’s hand resting on her stomach. “Why don’t you sit and I’ll take care of finishing up breakfast?”
“Oh, I couldn’t—” Catherine started.
“You could indeed. Mr. Clark?” Mrs. Bell looked to him for assistance.
“I agree.” And without further discussion, he led Catherine to his office.
She sank into the chair as he pulled the other chair from behind the desk to sit next to her. Through the window, the snow blew in tiny flurries, making him grateful for the good fortune to have a warm place to live and work.
He turned his chair so that he faced her and reached out to take one of her hands in his. Her face was paler than normal although she smiled at him.
“Are you certain you wouldn’t rather lie down for a time?” he asked.
“Oh no, I’m fine. Just shaken up a bit, I suppose.” She paused, biting her lip. “Thank you for stepping in.”
“Of course.” Did she think he’d leave her to fend off that man on her own? “I’m only sorry I wasn’t there from the beginning. I could have prevented the situation altogether.”
“Please, it wasn’t your fault. I despise feeling so helpless, yet I couldn’t think of how I might get him to leave. I didn’t . . . I didn’t expect you to come running.”
Jonathan tilted his head. “What do you mean? I was hardly about to leave you alone when I overheard him.”
“I suppose I’m not used to that.” She looked down at her knees as if she expected to find some sort of explanation there. “Harlan never . . . he wasn’t . . .”
She hadn’t spoken much of her first husband. Jonathan had taken notice of her lack of grief over his death, which led him to suspect their marriage hadn’t been a happy one. But he hadn’t wanted to push her into reliving painful memories, and so he hadn’t asked about it.
“You don’t have to speak on it,” he said gently.
She lifted her eyes to him, their depths shiny with unshed tears. “I loved him once, and he loved me. But the war changed him. Afterward, once we married, I was on my own so often that I grew used to relying only upon myself. And I . . . well, I suppose I didn’t expect you to be different. But you are.”
Jonathan didn’t know what to say about that, but he felt her raw emotions in his very soul. He caressed her hand with his thumb, and said, “I’m your husband. It’s my duty to keep you safe. And besides that, Iwantto protect you. You and the baby. I . . .” His voice caught in his throat.I love you, he wanted to say, but the words refused to be spoken. Instead, an image of his father, red-faced and angry flitted across his mind.
Catherine’s face softened and she let out a breath, driving away any thoughts of his father. “I suppose I can let you do that.” She gave him a small smile, and it lit him up from the inside.
He decided right then and there that he’d do anything to see her smile at him, over and over and over.
“I feel much better now,” she said, running a hand over her skirt. “I’d like to go help Mrs. Bell.”
Jonathan paused, considering her. Shelookedmuch better, her face less peaked and her sweet smile back again. “All right, but promise me you’ll lie down if you feel tired or faint.”
“I will. This baby is relying on me, and I won’t forget that.” Her smile flickered and he squeezed her hand.
“The baby is healthy. No need to fret over him.”
“Or her,” she said with a little smirk. “I’ve never carried a babe this long. I’m not entirely certain that I’ll ever feel at ease, though.”
“I understand.” He didn’t share that he prayed each night thatthiswould be the baby she got to see born into this world. And if he was being honest, he’d not only grown used to the idea of becoming a father, but eagerly looked forward to it.
She stood, and he stood with her. “Oh!” she said, her eyes widening. “I forgot to tell you. That horrible Mr. March mentioned he was friendly with Mr. Prince.”
Jonathan frowned. “I’ll ask Prince about it.” He’d had his eye on Prince ever since the man had taken up a room, but so far, other than being rough around the edges, the man had kept to himself and caused no trouble. He hated to judge Prince by the company he kept, but when that company attacked Jonathan’s wife, it wasn’t easy—or wise—to do that.
“And I’ll let you do just that,” Catherine said as she pushed her shoulders back.
“You don’t have to fight all of your battles alone any longer.” Jonathan dropped a kiss on her forehead, and Catherine’s face instantly turned pink. Chuckling, Jonathan placed a hand on the small of her back as they left the room.
He would do absolutely anything to protect her, and heaven help the man who stood in his way.
