Family on the Range. Jessica Nelson
her mouth.
“I only know she took something of mine, and I want it back.”
Mary gulped, despising the fear that froze her veins and rooted her to the floor like an ice statue.
James broke the tension by clapping a hand on the stranger’s shoulder. “Well, now you’ve met Mary and she’s not the one, so why don’t I get you some vittles and drink before you get on your way.”
“Will you reconsider my offer?” The stranger directed his question to her.
She couldn’t speak, could only shake her head.
“Very well. A pleasure meeting you, ma’am.” He inclined his head, but she had no intention of reciprocating. None at all.
A hard look passed over his face when he realized her snub. James strode down the short hall to the stairs, beckoning the man to follow, but he paused in front of her, lips a thin line against his pale skin. “You’re a scared little lady.” The corner of his mouth tilted. “I like that.”
Her heart stilled in its beating, paralyzed, until he pivoted and sauntered after James. Then it resumed a frantic pounding that flushed blood through her body so fast her knees grew wobbly and she thought she might vomit.
Get control. She had to be stronger somehow. Take charge of the situation. There was no way on earth she’d let Josie return to that monster. If she had to keep the girl in hiding her entire life, then that was what she’d do.
Inhaling several deep breaths, she sagged against the door, letting her body calm and forcing her face to relax. If she went into Lou’s bedroom right now, he’d know with one look that something was wrong.
The last thing he needed was action, and knowing him, it would be his first instinct. If he discovered this man was looking for Josie, what would he do? The question filled her with uneasiness.
Somehow she had to work harder to locate Josie’s mother. See if she was a more fit parent than the malevolent stranger she’d just met.
Squaring her shoulders, she straightened and let herself into Lou’s room. His window faced south, exposing a bright sky scattered with fluffy clouds that spoke nothing of evil. Only of good. Of a loving God who’d rescued her from men like the stranger who’d just visited.
A cleansing calm spread through her. She walked to Lou, who lay on the bed watching her, an alert expression on his handsome face.
“Who was the visitor?” His eyes, those shining orbs that had caught her attention from the moment they’d met, glinted at her.
“A stranger.” She gingerly sat on the side of his bed, careful not to bump his body. “How is your wound?”
“Burning, but not as much as my gut. Something’s wrong, and I want to know what.”
“The man was looking for a Paiute woman. He said she took something of his.”
“Josie,” Lou stated, giving her a hard look, not his usual smile.
“The man didn’t specify but I’m assuming so.” Stomach quivering, she clasped her hands. “My mother—”
“The woman who abandoned you?” he interrupted, his face darkening.
“She found Josie near Harney Lake, half-dead. Since I have my own home, she asked me to hide her until things were safe.”
“Safe from what?” Lou tried to push up from the bed but stopped, a grimace crossing his even features. “Never mind. You have no business keeping her and you know it. That’s called kidnapping.”
“No,” she protested shakily. “I’ve telegraphed the Portland police, and they’re trying to locate her mother. My mother claimed to be familiar with the father and said he’s put up a reward for Josie, but when I rode into town the other day, I saw no such thing.”
Lou settled back, the whiskers on his chin drawing Mary’s attention. He needed a shave badly. Her gaze traversed the face of a man who’d protected her for so long. Now that time had passed. Now was the moment for her to stand proud and strong. To rise as a woman in charge of her own life.
She could not allow him to take Josie away. This matter belonged to her.
But as she studied him, she realized that despite his good looks and charming smile, he was still exhausted and in need of her care. The epiphany brought a tender warmth to her chest. “I will make you a special meal tonight.”
“You will, huh?” Familiar crinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes. “Josie might have something to say about it.”
Mary’s warm feeling dissipated. “She will not be an issue. You will not have to see her.”
“Too late.” He gestured to the floor. “Come on out, Josie.”
Scrambling ensued before the towheaded girl popped out near Mary’s feet. Stifling a surprised squeal, she frowned at the girl. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Josie squirmed, eyes cast down. “I just wanted to meet Mister Lou.”
“We met, all right.”
“She’s staying with me,” Mary put in, worry welling up at Lou’s tone. He sounded distant, more removed than she thought possible. “You have no part of this decision I’ve made.”
Her statement seemed to incense him. He grew agitated, rustling the sheets as he attempted to sit. The stubborn man was sure to hurt himself, but she made no move to help him. “The sooner you lie still, the sooner you’ll heal.”
“Do I really have to leave?” Josie asked in a plaintive, little-girl voice.
“Yes.”
“No.” Mary glared at Lou. She opened her arms, and Josie ran to her, snuggling in, her hair smelling like the lavender Mary had rinsed it with this morning. Smiling, she tightened the hug.
“We’re going to find her a safe place, but first, you need to realize that she knows more than she’s telling.” Lou’s tone caught Mary’s attention. She looked up into his serious face. “Ask her, Mary. Ask her who the man at the door was.”
Chapter Four
Children complicated matters.
And that was why Lou didn’t want them around.
He hated lying in this bed, waiting while Mary sat beside him with that stoic look stuck on her face. Deliberating. The little girl buried her head in Mary’s embrace, ignoring Lou and his demand.
Josie was in a heap of trouble. He could tell that much. None of her own doing, of course, but her safety was a priority now. He wanted things to return to normal, and he didn’t want to worry about this little girl. Somehow it was up to him to get this mess straightened out.
“I will ask who this man is when the time is right,” Mary said at length. Her arms tightened around the girl.
She already felt protective. He admired that, but she’d get her heart broken. He frowned, knowing he felt the same way, too.
“Josie.”
The girl made a muffled noise and didn’t look at him.
“Josie,” he said again, lowering his voice and injecting some sternness into it.
She shuffled around, hair mussed about her face, eyes bright. Her little lips puckered into a pout. “What?”
“Will you tell us who that man is?”
Mary stroked the girl’s forehead, her skin a rich color against Josie’s blond curls. Josie blinked at him. “I don’t wanna.”
Chagrined, Lou told himself to be patient. This wasn’t a case. Just a little girl who needed to go home, who needed to be safe. Especially before his concern for her turned him crazy.