“Will he be able to wean off the pain killers with the remaining pill and a half he has left? Will he need a few more?” Lottie asked concerned.
Emily jumped. She’d been studying Jake’s shoulders so intently she’d forgotten there were others in the room. Her eyes jumped to his.
His eyebrows raised, amusement lighting his eyes.
Heat filled her cheeks. Had he been looking at her the whole time she’d been studying his shoulders?
Focus. You’re a professional. Act like it.
“He’s trying to spread them out. We should applaud him for that. He’s only been on the meds for two weeks, so he should be able to do it, but it won’t be pleasant. I’m afraid the alcohol dependency will kick in once the drug withdrawals slow down. He’ll need a lot of support and attention, which he’ll hate. Being confined to the porch, while he’s going through this, is not ideal.”
Jake nodded in acknowledgment then turned to Zane. “Work up a schedule with all the ranch hands. Have everybody take turns standing guard each day to give Daniel a break unless they’re working the outskirts. We’ll give them regular pay.” He looked at Emily for a long moment before turning back to Zane and lowering his voice. “It might be best if everyone is carrying.”
Jake’s words caught her off guard.Is he saying he wants all the ranch hands armed?Was that a good idea? It did provide a sense of comfort, knowing Jake took her safety seriously, but it also sounded dangerous.
“Do we tell them why they are guarding the house?” Zane asked Jake, with a quick glance at Emily.
Jake regarded her for a moment before answering. “No. Tell them we’ve received threats against the ranch.”
Emily appreciated his effort to protect her from the reality of her situation, but all this cloak and dagger stuff made the fear and uncertainty hanging over her heavier, darker. “Jake, if you feel you need to tell them, I don’t mind.”
“It’s best they don’t know. These guys often leave the ranch to get drunk. The less they know, the less they can blabber.”
“He’s right, ma’am,” Zane said.
Deciding to let it go, she returned to the reason for this discussion. “Daniel needs to take his turns. It will be the easiest way for me to work with him. Getting him over the withdrawals is only the first step. Recovery is not an event, it’s a process.”
Jake looked at Zane, and his foreman acknowledged with a nod. Then Jake cleared his throat. “Listen, Emily, I don’t want you going out on the front porch while any of the other ranch hands stand guard. Some of these guys have... serious baggage.”
“If they’re struggling with something, maybe I could help them too. It’s not like I’ve got any—”
“No!” Jake said, then, as though he regretted shouting, he softened his voice. “Please, promise me you’ll avoid the front porch unless Daniel’s out there.”
“Some of these guys are pretty rough characters, ma'am,” Zane added.
“Okay, I’ll stay away.”
She trusted Jake. He’d made her safety a priority. She’d respect his decision, but she couldn’t quite let his bossiness go.
“Can I spend time on the back patio? I can’t stand being cooped up inside all the time.”
“Yes, you can go out on the back patio, and hopefully they won’t bother you there. But if any of them do, you call for me, Lottie, or my mom, and tell us you’d like to rest, got it?”
Emily bit back a smile.Jake’s cute when he’s being bossy.
Something inside her wanted to argue with him, to see how he’d react. Faith had said he was stubborn, but she’d seen Jake treat his mother and Lottie with reverence and respect, and the gentle way he carried her around told her he was a softy. He was strong, but he was indeed tenderhearted and compassionate.
Instead of arguing, she let out a dramatic sigh. “Got it.”
Jake held her gaze. Was he angry she’d mocked him? No. The pinch of his lips looked like he fought a smile. Regardless, she squirmed under his direct scrutiny and dropped her eyes to his broad shoulders. That was a mistake, because she had an even harder time tearing her gaze away from them.
Jake cleared his throat, and Emily’s gaze jumped back up to his. Amusement filled his eyes again, and his lips quirked upward. “Are we done here?”
Trying not to look guilty, Emily smiled. “Yes, we’re done.” Then with a feigned air of superiority, she added, “for now.”
Jake raised his eyebrows in a challenge. He waited for Zane and Lottie to leave the table before standing. Planting his palms on the gleaming oak surface, he leaned toward her, lowering his head until his face was inches from hers. “Does Daniel know his psychologist gets easily distracted?”
Emily’s face burned, but she met his gaze. “Oh, we all have our vices, Jake. I’m looking forward to figuring out your weakness.”
