Her Christmas Protector (4 page)

Faith and Brandy came forward and stopped steps from where he stood.

Luke tipped his hat. “Morning.” Up close, she was even more attractive.

“Good morning, Luke.”

He tore his gaze away from hers with effort and stared down at Brandy. “Seems you found yourself a friend.”

Her hand stroked behind the dog’s ears. “Yes, I have.”

“It’s good to have friends,” Luke remarked, once again plagued by questions about this woman.

“Uh-huh.”

The noncommittal answer made him frown. “Did you leave many friends behind?” he asked.

Visibly tensing at his words, she clasped her hands together, the knuckles turning white. “Some.” The single word echoed in the barn.

“It’s hard leaving behind the people you love.” He said it more as a statement than a question, knowing firsthand how hard it was to walk away from the important people in his own life. And how difficult it would be to do again.

“Yes, it is,” she agreed softly.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

She shook her head, her expression wary.

“I’m a good listener.” What was he doing? He’d told himself he wasn’t going to do this.

She gave him a tentative smile. “Thanks, I’ll remember that. Actually, I was hoping you’d help me get your mother downstairs when you have a chance. She’s been walking around upstairs but she’ll need help negotiating a flight of stairs. The first time we try, I feel you should be present.”

“Sure. When I finish here I’ll be right up.”

“Great. Dottie will be so pleas—” She stopped and cocked her head to one side.

The crunch of gravel sounded on the drive. But from where they stood they couldn’t see the vehicle.

“Are—are you expecting someone?” Faith’s voice changed.

Luke heard and saw the fear sweeping over her. “No, but people—friends—stop by all the time.”

The vehicle on the drive stopped and the sound of a door opening and closing echoed in the chilly air.

In one swift, graceful motion, Faith darted to a darkened corner of the barn where she pressed her back against the wall, her hands fisted at her sides.

“Faith, you’re safe here—” Luke was silenced by the finger she put to her lips and the look of terror on her face.

“Okay, God, please cover me,”
Luke mumbled and moved closer, positioning himself between Faith and the door. A brief look of comprehension passed across her features before they heard the heavy footfalls coming toward the barn. Each step drew the unknown closer.

Luke tensed in response to Faith’s palpable apprehension. But how could he protect her when he didn’t know what she was afraid of?

A small, panic-born whimper escaped her as a man stepped into view.

L
uke exhaled a rush of adrenaline and moved forward. “Matt Turner, you old dog.”

As he shook Matt’s hand, Luke glanced at Faith. The tension in her expression eased and her body went limp against the barn wall.

He figured Faith could use a moment alone.

Guiding Matt toward the empty corral, Luke stationed himself so he could see the barn. “What brings you out this way so early?”

Matt pushed back his black cowboy hat. “Just thought I’d come and see what my good buddy’s been up to. We haven’t seen much of you since you came home. Sally’d love for you to come out to the house for dinner some night.”

Luke smiled at the invitation and the note of affection in Matt’s voice for his wife. The couple had been high school sweethearts, clearly meant for each other. Luke and Matt had been friends since they were in diapers, and Luke should have made an effort to see the couple and their kids.

“Dinner would be great. I’d like that.” Luke kept his eyes on the barn. Was Faith okay?

Faith stepped from the shadows and looked in his direction before hurrying toward the house.

What was going on? He wanted to know what had her so tied up in knots. He wanted to protect her. Help her.

But first, he had to win her trust.

Inside, Faith struggled to calm her racing heart. The panic still hadn’t abated, but at least she could take a breath now. Dottie chatted away, oblivious to Faith’s inner chaos. And Faith couldn’t track the stream of words. She wanted to be attentive. She really did.

But her focus, her self-preservation instincts demanded her attention. She stared out the window at Luke and his friend.

How could she explain to Luke about the overwhelming sense of danger she lived with?

If she told him why she was running, what then? Would he ask her to leave? Or would he want to play the hero and promise to protect her?

She gave a silent scoff. No one could protect her. Hadn’t she already learned that lesson well enough?

Maybe she should leave now, before she became too attached to Dottie, Luke and ranch life.

The thought of leaving brought sadness to her heart. She wanted to stay and make sure Dottie fully recovered.

Luke’s confidence and trust in her judgment about his mother’s care had warmed her. It’d been so long since she’d felt anything but the icy chill of fear, she’d forgotten how nice it was to feel heated from the inside out.

“Faith,” Dottie said, concern evident in her voice. “Honey, are you all right?”

Turning toward the woman propped up against the pillows on the bed, she said, “Yes. Yes, I’m fine.”

She would be fine here on the ranch. Here she was safe. Her paranoia had gotten the better of her earlier. She’d have to be more careful not to let her fear show.

Putting the episode behind her, Faith sat on the edge of the bed and made a conscious effort to concentrate as Dottie explained the basics of knitting.

As Faith cleared the dishes from dinner in Dottie’s room, Dottie touched Faith’s hand and gave a gentle squeeze. “Thank you, my dear. You are an answer to my prayers. You can’t know how grateful I am that you’re here.”

Impulsively, Faith bent and kissed the older woman’s cheek. More than Dottie could know or Faith could explain, being at the Circle C was like living another life. A life infinitely better than her own. “And being here is an answer to
my
prayers.”

She was determined not to allow any more bouts of paranoia intrude on her peace of mind.

“Faith, why do you seem so sad at times?”

“I’m tired.” That didn’t answer what she’d been asked, but it was the best she could do. She tried to smile past the sudden tightness of her rib cage.

Concern marred Dottie’s brow. “It’s more than that.” Her eyes narrowed shrewdly. “Faith, I’m here if you want to talk.”

The knot tightened at the offer of a confidante. How she wished she had the fortitude to spill her secrets to this kind woman, but Faith wouldn’t risk the Campbells’ safety any more than she had to.

Her throat constricted, making speech difficult. “I appreciate your concern, Dottie. I’m—I’m really just a little worn out.” Worn out in many ways.

Doubt clouded Dottie’s eyes. “You’re probably hungry, as well. You hardly touched your food again at dinner. Why don’t you go down and fix yourself something to eat before you go to bed.”

The thought of food made her stomach roll. Admittedly, the little she’d eaten had been very good. She made a mental note to compliment Reva. “I’ll be fine. It’s hard adjusting to new surroundings.”

“You really should eat more. You’re too thin.”

Faith smiled at the familiar words. Her grandfather had often lamented that she would blow away in a strong wind. “I’ll eat a big breakfast.”

Dottie nodded.

Faith helped Dottie settle back against the pillows. “Can I get you anything?”

“No, dear. Thank you.”

“Then I’ll let you get some rest.” She turned to go.

“Faith?”

“Yes?”

“God is a great listener. He longs for His children to give Him their burdens.”

Faith blinked. “His children?”

Dottie nodded. “He looks at all of us as His children. And as any parent wants to do, He wants to comfort and protect. That’s not to say He’ll rescue us from all our troubles, but He promises to be with us, offering wisdom and guidance.”

The thought of God as a benevolent and loving parent boggled Faith’s mind and opposed everything she’d been taught.

Hadn’t grandfather often claimed that God sat in judgment of each individual and that His righteous wrath would fall upon the heads of those who opposed Him?

A dull ache started at her temple. Was what Dottie said fact or fiction? How did she go about finding the truth? Faith rubbed her eyes.

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry. Here I am yapping away when you need your rest.”

“That’s okay, Dottie.” Faith managed to smile. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Quickly, she left the room.

In the dimly lit hallway, a hand touched Faith’s arm. She gasped. Her heart slammed against her chest. She jerked back. And focused on Luke.

She sagged against the wall. The sudden fear went spiraling through her abdomen where it landed in her stomach with a burning crash. “You scared me.”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to.” He had the grace to look sheepish. “We need to talk.”

A heaviness swept over her, weighing her down. The urge to run and hide streaked through her, but she couldn’t make her feet move. Deep inside she knew her only real option was to stay and face his curiosity. But did it have to be right now?

“Can’t this wait until morning?” she asked.

“No, we need to discuss what happened in the barn and what, exactly, you’re running from.”

The tightness in her chest spread, and her breathing turned shallow.
I’m running from the outside world,
her mind screamed.

The mere thought of what waited for her out there made her head spin and lights explode in her vision.

“Faith, what’s wrong?”

She heard his voice, heard the concern in his tone. The words echoed inside her head, making the already dull ache grow and sharpen. She really should have eaten more.

Between her low blood sugar, the unexpected fright of moments ago and Luke’s probing, Faith was helpless against the inevitable.

She tried to answer, her mouth opened, but no words formed. The hall grew dim and her vision closed in upon itself while the world faded away.

She heard Luke anxiously call her name.

Luke caught Faith before she crumpled into a heap at his feet. He checked her pulse. The beat steady. The slow rise and fall of her chest showed she was breathing.

“Faith? Faith. Honey, wake up.” Patting her cheeks didn’t seem to help any.

Scooping one arm beneath Faith’s legs and the other under her back, he lifted her. She was soft and light in his arms as he carried her to her room. A faint, pleasing smell of flowers scented her hair.

Trying not to jostle her much, Luke laid her on the bed then sat on the edge and rubbed her hands.

She stirred, her eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened.

Unexpected tenderness grabbed a hold of him. He tucked a lock of blond hair behind her ear, his fingers brushed across her cheek, the skin satin smooth and warm to his touch. Her eyes widened slightly and he withdrew his hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Wh—what happened?”

“You fainted.”

Her teeth pulled at her bottom lip. “I guess I’m more tired than I thought.” She smiled, weakly.

It was from more than fatigue.

He studied her face, liking the way her dark blond brows arched high over eyes that slanted ever so slightly upward at the corners, the way her little nose wrinkled up when she didn’t like something, and especially the shape of her mouth.

Full and lush. Kissable.

Faith sat up, her body barely inches from his.

“Luke?”

Her voice held a question or an invitation, he didn’t know which.

He swallowed but made no move.

She was beautiful and sensitive, strong and yet, so vulnerable. She was defenseless, exhausted, and in need of his protection, not his kisses. Plus, this was exactly what he’d been trying to avoid.

He didn’t want an entanglement.

He jumped to his feet. One second longer and his resolve would have weakened. A man could only withstand so much.

“I’ll—I’ll just let—you get some sleep,” he stammered and tried to back out of the room gracefully, but bumped against the doorjamb. “I’ll—see you in the morning.” He exited quickly, pulling the door closed behind him.

Smooth, Campbell. Real smooth.

Disgusted with herself, Faith flopped back onto the pillows. What was the matter with her? She’d never felt like this before. And the last thing she needed was to kiss Luke. Yet, she’d wanted to.

More than she could have ever imagined.

Uh-oh.

She must fight this attraction to him. He was her employer. She couldn’t allow him to turn into anything more. Not only would her job be on the line, but her safety.

And Dottie.

Faith wouldn’t want to be forced to leave her if something went…wrong.

Though her mind agreed, the rapid beat of her heart contradicted the logic.

She couldn’t let her heart rule. Not in this situation.

Too much was at stake.

Morning found Luke sitting at his desk, staring out the window. The Three Sisters Mountains rose high in the distance, their snow-covered peaks creating a breathtaking view.

But the beauty of nature offered him no peace. He hadn’t slept much the night before. His mind wandered during his nightly devotions. He’d finally shut his Bible and dropped to his knees. Praying had always been a time of restoration and peace, a way to calm his mind before going to sleep.

But sleep proved to be elusive.

Images of Faith, her mouth inches from his, had haunted his dreams. He’d gotten up early, intent on getting some work done. After giving his foreman, Leo, permission to go into town to hire some hands, Luke meant to take advantage of this dry cold spell and start calling some roofing companies to come out and give him a bid, but so far he’d only managed to drink a pot of coffee.

The jingle of the phone pulled his gaze from the mountains to the phone on his desk. Picking up the receiver, he heard voices coming over the line.

“What do you need, Ethel?” Reva asked impatiently, having answered the phone in the kitchen.

“Just tell Luke I’m on the phone.” Ethel’s annoyance was clear in her tone. Ever since Reva had made Ethel’s daughter, Molly, cry at their high-school graduation, Ethel had little tolerance for the woman.

“He’s busy working. I’ll take a message,” Reva insisted.

Luke spoke up. “I’ve got it, Reva. You can hang up.”

“But, Luke, honey, you said you didn’t want to be disturbed.” The whiny quality of her voice grated across his already tightly strung nerves.

“It’s okay, Reva, just hang up.” He waited until he heard a click. “Sorry, Ethel. What can I do for you?”

“Well, I thought I’d better call. Some man came in this morning, nosing around about that gal you had breakfast with.”

Luke sat up straight. “What did he want?”

“He flashed her picture around the diner and wanted to know where he could find her. Of course, half the folks in here today were in here the other day. Everyone agreed that the woman in the picture was the one who had talked with you. A few people said they saw her get in your rig before you left town.”

The worry in Ethel’s voice mirrored the anxiety gathering steam in his belly.

“Did the man say who he was or why he wanted to find her?” His muscles bunched in anticipation of the answer.

“Just said he was a private investigator. He’s on his way out to your place now.”

An anxious ripple cascaded over him. A private investigator. He mulled that over in his mind. “Thanks for calling and warning me, Ethel. I owe you.”

“You be sure to take care of that pretty little gal. I have a feeling she’s in some sort of trouble.”

“I will. Thanks, Ethel.”

Luke started to return the receiver but he hesitated, listening to the click from Ethel hanging up and then another audible click. Anger tightened the muscles in his jaw.

He walked into the hall and raised his voice, “Reva!”

She stepped into the doorway of the kitchen wearing a tight leather skirt and high boots. Her pink fuzzy sweater looked like sticky cotton candy. “Yes, dear?”

Holding on to his patience, he gritted his teeth. “Do not call me dear. And do not listen in on other people’s conversations. It’s rude.”

She blinked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do.” He spun on his heels and went in search of Faith.

After checking upstairs, he went out the front door. He saw her standing at the fence, petting the llamas. Her blond hair hung loosely about her shoulders, swishing with every move of her head. She looked both out of place and yet perfectly at home in her wool coat and jeans.