Her Christmas Protector (2 page)

She could do that.

After all, she’d been the one to care for her grandfather after he suffered his heart attack. She’d watched the team of nurses come and go, seen the services they’d provided. She’d jumped right in when the nurses had refused to stay.

She had owed her grandfather that for having taken her in after her parents died. Gerald Emerson Delange had been a Bible-thumping, judgmental and unyielding man. But she’d loved him and no one could be as difficult to care for as he’d been.

Oh, yes, she could care for Luke’s mother.

But would it be a wise choice?

She wouldn’t be visible, she’d have a place to stay and the job would probably pay decently. If no one knew she was there, maybe she’d even be safe for a while.

She stretched the aching muscles in her back. She couldn’t go on like this. Fatigue was making her mind fuzzy, not to mention her dwindling funds. And the longer she stayed in the open, the more chance she’d be found.

What choice did she have?

Faith paid her bill, gathered her belongings, and hurried from the diner to find Luke.

She caught a glimpse of him as he turned the corner, disappearing behind a building a block down the street. Even from a distance he made a striking picture. Instead of the expected easy-rolling gait of a cowboy, he walked with a purposeful stride. Head up and shoulders back. Very controlled. In fact, everything about Luke spoke of a forthright and self-controlled man.

I’m a captain in the army.

She had the feeling that with Luke you got what you saw. Faith liked that. It was so opposite of what she’d lived with for so long.

Desperate to catch him before he disappeared altogether, she jogged down the sidewalk, her bags jostling at her sides.

She turned the corner as Luke climbed into a dark green Bronco. An instant later, the engine roared to life. He backed his vehicle out of the parking place, the tires crunching on the snow-covered gravel. Faith dropped her bags and ran toward him.

“Luke! Luke, wait!”

The Bronco screeched to a stop. Luke rolled down his window. “Faith, are you okay?”

His deep voice washed over her, smoothing the rough edges of her nerves.

Nodding, she blinked up at him. “I…I wanted to ask you something.”

He gave her a curious stare. “Ask away.”

Anxiety threatened to wrap itself around her throat, but she bolstered her courage and plunged ahead. “I’d like to apply for that job you mentioned earlier.”

A confused frown marred his brow. “Job?”

Faith took a deep breath. “For your mother. The helper you needed.”

“I thought you were just passing through?”

“I changed my mind. The country air agrees with me.” She breathed in deep, the cold air filling her lungs and making her cough. It was either the air or she was losing her mind.

She probably was nuts to be doing this, but would she be found in this out of the way town in the middle of the Oregon Mountains? And on a ranch?

No, she didn’t think so. She was ninety-nine percent sure she’d be safe.

She’d worry about the other one percent later.

H
ire her,
Luke thought to himself immediately, and then heard himself say, “You’re hired.”

Her eyes rounded in surprise. “Just like that?”

Luke hesitated. He knew next to nothing about this woman and yet, when he looked into her eyes, the haunted expression that had bothered him earlier seemed to recede. “Just like that.”

“I’ll…get my bags.”

“Here, let me,” Luke offered as he opened the door. But she was already hurrying away.

Luke drummed his fingers on the door.
Okay, Lord. I trust You know what You’re doing. Whatever You have planned, I’m with You.

Still, he couldn’t shake the unsettled knot in the pit of his stomach.

As Faith approached, Luke climbed out from behind the wheel and took her bags. He put them in the back and then helped her into the rig. “You travel light for someone who’s been out touring the country.”

“Easier to pack up and go.”

Luke climbed back behind the wheel and wondered what made her need to “pack up and go.”

He clamped his jaw tight. Why couldn’t God have provided some nice grandmotherly type, someone he could easily dismiss from his mind?

Luke slanted Faith a glance as he pulled out onto the street. Something about the way she held herself spoke of a quiet strength he found appealing. He wasn’t immune to her physical charms, either.

He liked the straight line of her nose and the stubbornness of her jaw. Her blond hair swung about her shoulders and he could almost imagine the feel of the silken strands gliding across his palm.

Resolutely, he shook the sensation away. He really didn’t need this.

Suddenly, Faith moved, throwing herself on the floor and he nearly careened into a building. He eased up on the gas pedal. “What are you doing?”

Her hunted expression reappeared, making her look wide-eyed and scared. “I…think my…ear…earring fell out,” she stammered and patted the floorboards.

For several seconds she continued to search the floor.

There’d been no jewelry adorning her ears. Interesting. “Find it?”

“Yes.” She attempted to sit up but her purse went flying to the floor, scattering paraphernalia at their feet. Diving down, she retrieved her goods.

Luke could have sworn she’d nudged her purse off the seat on purpose. Curiosity burned in his gut. “Room and board.”

He glanced down at her bent head. He noticed one hand held her purse while the other put air into the purse’s opening. His curiosity cranked up a notch and his brows drew together.

She peeked at him through a veil of blond hair. “Excuse me?”

She was acting so…odd. Luke forced his attention on the road ahead of them. “I said, room and board. Plus two-hundred dollars a week.”

“That sounds perfect.” Her muffled voice held relief.

They passed through town and he waved at several people. Then the realization hit him. She didn’t want anyone to see her leaving with him.

Why?

Luke turned the truck onto the road leading to his parents’ ranch. “We’re out of town. You’re safe now.”

Faith started and sat up. Her face flushed a deep crimson. “What do you mean?”

He nodded toward the floor. “You find everything?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. Thanks.” She turned away from him, her hands clasped into a tight knot.

Seeing her knuckles turn white, he felt the need to assure her and calm her fears. “Relax, Faith. It’s going to be okay.”

The fearful expression in her eyes told him she wasn’t convinced.

A little small talk might ease the situation. “Where are you from?”

“Back east.”

“Back east is a big place,” he stated with wry amusement.

One corner of her mouth lifted. “New York.”

He arched an eyebrow. “It’s a big state.”

She slanted a glance his way. “Yes. It is.”

He’d bet she came from money. The graceful table manners she’d displayed and her cultured speech oozed private school, which only left him more intrigued.

“The countryside is so beautiful and peaceful,” she commented, then asked, “Have you lived here your whole life?”

“Born and raised.” He didn’t mention he’d left at eighteen and only recently returned.

“How long ago did your mother have her heart attack?”

“Two weeks.” He’d wanted a nurse to care for his mother just in case she suffered another attack, but the doctor had assured him she would be back to normal soon. All she needed was rest and a little exercise. And someone constantly making sure she was doing just that. Someone besides Reva May Scott.

“What does your family think of your see-America jaunt?” he asked.

She pressed her lips together and shrugged. “Who’s Reva?”

She was good at changing the subject. “That’s a complicated question.”

He thought for a moment how best to answer. “Her father and my dad were good friends. When her mother took off after she was born, her dad started drinking. My dad tried to step in as much as possible for them.”

“That was generous. So you two are like siblings then?”

He let out a short laugh. Reva would disagree. “Yeah, something like that.”

“I take it from what you told Ethel, Reva and your mother don’t get along.”

“No, they don’t. Mom tried real hard with her when Reva was a little girl, but…” He shrugged. “Reva would never accept my mom.”

“That’s too bad,” Faith commented, her expression thoughtful. “I hope your mom will be okay with me coming home with you.”

Letting up on the gas, the Bronco slowed as he turned onto the gravel drive. “I wouldn’t be bringing you home if I didn’t think I was making the right decision.”

She turned away to stare out the window. Stretching before them in wild splendor was his family’s five-hundred acres. At the end of the drive sat a two-story farmhouse, flanked on either side by a pair of large, red barns, one of which had four apartments on the second floor. A paddock and corral sat off to the right side of the barn while the other side was open grazing land with sage brush and bare trees sticking up through the layer of snow.

“Oh my, is this your ranch?” Her voice filled with awe.

“Welcome to the Circle C,” Luke said with pride.

Faith twisted to look back the way they’d come. “The road is very visible. I suppose you can see cars coming long before they arrive?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” She sat forward. “That’s good. You’re pretty safe out here.”

He arched a brow. “What are you afraid of?”

A huge caramel-colored animal ran along the fence.

“You raise llamas?” She turned her curious gaze on him and left his question unanswered. Again.

The depths of her hazel eyes pulled at him. He debated pressing for an answer, but there would be time enough later. “Llamas, cattle and horses.”

“I’ve never seen a llama up close.”

“They make great pets. We raise them for their coats. Raising llamas is a hobby for my mother. She used to show them, but then people started wanting to buy them so we expanded the operation.

“Our stable is small compared to others who solely raise llamas. Few people realize that Sisters is the llama capital of the United States.”

“Why here?”

“Central Oregon’s climate is similar to that of Peru, where llamas originate. Sisters is ideal, open and temperate.”

“I agree. This place is perfect.”

Luke had a feeling she meant more than just the climate. He stopped in front of the house and his golden retriever bounded up to the Bronco. Opening the door, he received a series of wet dog kisses. “Whoa, girl. It’s good to see you, too.”

Suddenly, the dog’s ears perked up and her head lifted. She dashed out of view before Luke could react, and Faith became the recipient of the retriever’s sloppy love.

Luke rounded the corner of the Bronco and stopped. Faith kneeled with her arms around his dog. The sight made him smile.

“She’s beautiful. What’s her name?”

“Brandy.”

“Luke, what’s going on?” A female voice brought all three heads around to face the house. Reva stood on the porch, her hands on her hips and her red lips pressed into a stiff line.

Irritation pulsed through Luke, but he shook off the feeling. It was only natural Reva would be curious, but her question seemed more accusatory than not. He glanced at Faith, who now stood with her hands clasped together and a polite smile plastered on her face.

He silently retrieved Faith’s bags and guided Faith toward the house. Brandy, he noted, stayed close to Faith.

“Who is this?” Reva asked, her eyes wide, as she looked Faith up and down.

“A guest,” he answered, wishing Reva wouldn’t act so territorially.

Brandy growled then let out a loud bark. Luke understood the dog’s urge to protect Faith. He felt the same protective instincts roaring to life in his veins.

“Tell me what I want to hear,” Vince Palmero demanded of the man on the phone.

Bob Grady cleared his throat. “Sorry, boss. We lost her trail in Portland, Oregon.”

Vince clenched his fist. “How incompetent can you be?”

“We’ll get her. I’ve got men combing the city and checking the trains, buses and airport.”

“Time is running out. Find her!”

Vince slammed down the receiver and pushed back his leather chair from the expansive mahogany desk. He tugged on the collar of his Italian handmade dress shirt feeling as choked with rage as if the Armani striped tie around his neck was being cinched tight. He couldn’t believe she’d done this to him. If he didn’t find her and bring her back soon, his whole life would go down the tubes.

He stared at the framed photo on his sidebar. A stunning smile and hazel eyes burned into his mind. He’d loved her, offered her everything and she’d betrayed him.

She’d pay. Oh, yes. When he found her, she’d pay.

Faith’s sweaty palm stuck to the banister. She wiped her hand on her pant leg as she followed Luke and Reva up the stairs to his mother’s room. Although the initial meeting with Reva went well—the woman had been pleasant enough—Faith could tell that Reva didn’t like having another woman in what she obviously considered her domain.

As they’d passed through the living room, Faith noted the lack of Christmas decorations. Maybe these people didn’t celebrate the birth of Jesus. Whether they did or not wasn’t relative to her safety.

Luke knocked on a door at the end of the hallway. Little butterflies fluttered in the pit of Faith’s stomach. If Luke’s mother didn’t like her, then what would she do? The ranch represented a security she’d only hoped of. She wanted to stay.
Please, oh, please, dear Lord, let her like me.

At his mother’s muffled, “Come in,” Luke pushed open the door and stepped aside so Reva and Faith could enter. As Faith passed him, he gave her a reassuring smile and some of the butterflies in her stomach danced for an altogether different reason.

A blast of heat hit her in the face as she stepped into the room. The bedroom was at least ten degrees warmer than the rest of the house. Sweat beads broke out and trickled down Faith’s neck. The dark haired woman lying on the canopied oak bed looked wilted and weak beneath the heavy covers pulled up to her chin.

“Ugh, Reva, it’s hot in here,” Luke exclaimed. “I’ve told you a hundred times not to touch the thermostat.”

“But, Luke, honey, the doctor said she wasn’t to get a chill.”

In long strides, Luke moved to one window and yanked it open. Almost immediately a cooling breeze entered the room.

“Oh, that feels wonderful.” Mrs. Campbell sighed. “I kept asking her to turn down the heat, but she wouldn’t listen to me.”

Luke paused in the act of pulling the quilt off his mother and looked at Reva. The color of his eyes had darkened to a steely blue and his jaw tightened in anger. Faith stepped back.

“I was only doing what I thought best. She’s still recovering from her ordeal,” Reva said defensively.

“The way she makes it sound, I’m still knocking on death’s door,” Luke’s mother muttered.

“It’s only been two weeks. You know—”

“Enough, Reva.”

Luke’s command abruptly stopped Reva mid-whine. She made a face and sat on the edge of a small desk by the window.

Faith marveled that at least one grown man was mature enough to contain his anger.

“Mom, I have someone here I’d like you to meet.” Luke’s voice softened.

The eager-to-please tone and the way his voice dropped a notch brought a pang to Faith’s heart. This big man loved his mother and it showed. She’d loved her parents like that. If only they were still alive.

He motioned for Faith to step closer.

“This is Faith. I’ve hired her to help care for you.”

Faith approached the bed. The gentle eyes regarding her made her think of her own mother. It had been years since anyone had looked at her with such kindness. She knew instantly she’d like the older woman.

Taking the offered hand, she noticed Mrs. Campbell’s skin felt hot and clammy against her palm. “Mrs. Campbell, Luke tells me you’re recovering from a heart attack. My grandfather suffered an attack and I cared for him. I—I hope you’ll allow me to care for you.”

“Please, call me Dottie. I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.”

From behind her, Faith heard Reva snort in disbelief. She turned to stare at Reva. Such disrespect was reprehensible.

“Reva, please,” Luke warned.

Studying her nails, Reva said, “Luke, dear, the housekeeping still needs to be done. Or are you expecting her to do that, too?”

“No, I’m not expecting Faith to do the housekeeping.”

“Good.” Reva hopped off the edge of the desk and stood. “I’m sure Blake would be happy to know I’m helping out. I’ll just stay on and do the housekeeping.”

Faith glanced at Luke. His annoyance was evident in the creases along his brow. Turning his gaze to his mother, he raised a brow as if to ask what she thought. Dottie grimaced with a shrug.

Suddenly, Reva was standing close, pinning Faith against the bed. Trying to gracefully disengage herself from Dottie’s hand, Faith shifted to allow Reva more room. Dottie’s grip tightened and for a second Faith thought she saw a trace of apprehension in the older woman’s blue eyes. She guessed there was more going on between the two women than met the eye.