Emily studied the photo, trying to link it to the memory. It looked vaguely familiar, but she figured it was because she’d seen it at the hospital.
“This might be the shorter guy, but their faces were always in a shadow, so I didn’t get a good look at either of them.”
“Now we know for sure there was more than one assailant, and you’re still in danger. I’ll try to get one of my deputies out here as soon as I can. Brady’s wife had her baby, so I’m down a man.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it covered.” Jake continued to hold her hand in one of his as he pulled out his cell phone with the other. Robert and Emily watched as he punched in a number and waited. “Zane, I need Daniel up at the main house right away. He’ll be here a while.”
“That’s right,” Robert said. “I forgot Daniel’s home. He can stand, or rather sit, guard on the front porch. It will be good for him.”
“Who’s Daniel?”
Jake squeezed her hand. “He’s Zane and Lottie’s son and kind of like a little brother to us. He’s home recuperating from a broken leg.” The two brothers exchanged a tense look that made Emily curious about what they weren’t saying.
Five minutes later, a tall, good-looking, although unkempt, young man came through the back door on crutches, swinging a full-length cast.
“Daniel.” Jake stood and clapped the younger man’s shoulder. “How are you doing today?” Jake studied Daniel’s face.
“Fine.” Daniel’s quiet voice lacked conviction.
As Jake introduced Daniel to Emily, she studied the young man’s appearance. His shaggy, unruly jet-black hair looked as though it hadn’t seen a comb for a while. His skin appeared flushed despite his tan complexion, and his eyelids drooped. She couldn’t see his eyes clearly, but his pupils looked unnaturally small, considering he was indoors.
“How would you like to earn a paycheck?” Jake asked Daniel, his hand still on the younger man’s shoulder.
“I’d love to Jake, but you know I can’t do anything.” Daniel motioned to his cast.
“I have the perfect job for you.”
Robert stepped to Daniel’s side. “Emily here—”
“Robert.” Jake cut him off. “Let’s talk about this outside.” He motioned with his head before stepping to the door and holding it open for Daniel and Robert. After a quick, concerned glance at Emily, he picked up the rifle near the front door and stepped out, closing the door behind him.
Emily heard the men’s muffled voices. She didn’t even try to hear what they said. She knew they discussed her and the danger she was in. It was sweet of Jake to take the conversation outside as if that would spare her.
It didn’t.
Her hand began to tremble again now that Jake no longer held it, matching the churning in her stomach.
Knowing Jake would keep a guard posted on the front porch calmed her racing heart though. Daniel, however, didn’t look well. He looked sick. She trusted Jake, but she couldn’t shake the uneasiness she felt concerning Daniel.
As the tension in her body eased, exhaustion overwhelmed her. If Faith was here, she would have asked for help getting to her bed. She knew Jake would help her with whatever she needed, but she didn’t want to bother him. The man already did so much for her.
She lifted her cast off the ottoman and rotated her body sideways, shifting her broken leg to the couch. Her dress slid up as she shifted, exposing more than a little of her thigh. She attempted to push it down with her right hand, but a stabbing pain in her ribs brought her efforts to an abrupt end.
It wasn’t worth the effort. The amount of skin exposed by her hiked up dress wasn’t indecent. She laid back against the arm of the couch, struggling to get comfortable with her neck brace.
After another minute, Jake came back in. He sat on the ottoman, facing her, his brown eyes full of concern. “Daniel will keep a lookout. If the SUV returns, we’ll know. Are you okay? Do you need a pain pill?”
“I’m fine, but I’d like to rest for a bit.”
“Would you like me to carry you to your bed?”
She fought the urge to sayyesjust so she could be in his arms again. “No, I don’t want to bother moving. Do you mind if I stay here?”
“Not at all.” He stood and grabbed a throw pillow and a light blanket from the other couch. “Let me put this behind your head. Don’t you try to move. Let me lift you.” He bent over her and slipped his hand behind her shoulders. His masculine scent hit her full force, and warmth settled in her stomach as he lifted her enough to slip the pillow behind her head and neck. “Is that a good position?”
Heryescame out a breathless whisper.
He tugged down her dress, his fingertips barely brushing her thigh, leaving her skin tingling. He spread the throw blanket over her. “I’ll either be here in the house or nearby outside. Holler if you need me.”
