Her Christmas Protector (8 page)

His mother beamed at him from her place at the head of the table.

Pleasure and unease seeped into his veins, heating the blood pounding through his suddenly racing heart. His mother definitely was trying her hand at matchmaking. “Thank you.”

His gaze locked with Faith’s. For a split second he forgot to breathe. In her eyes, he saw a myriad of emotions—yearning, wonder, and a hint of apprehension.

He wanted to explore the yearning and wonder, and rid her of any apprehension. But now was not the time.

For the past few days life had calmed down. No more Peeping Toms. Leo and the hands all promised to keep a vigilant eye out for any intruders. Reva hadn’t shown up since his talk with her and the sheriff had called to say he’d questioned Reva about Friday night. Apparently, she had been in town at a bar the whole time.

Luke stood, breaking the eye contact with Faith and busied himself by gathering the empty plates.

Noticing her look of surprise, he gave her a self-conscious grin. “I’ll help clean up, okay?”

“Uh, sure. That’ll—be great.” She pushed her chair back and stood.

Luke reached for an empty platter in the middle of the table just as Faith reached for it, too. Their hands brushed against each other and each let go as if burned by the same electrical current. The platter dropped noisily to the table and Luke jerked his gaze to Faith.

She slowly raised her gaze. “Slippery plate.”

Laughter filled the room, relieving the tension. Luke chuckled and nodded. “Very.”

Luke left the slippery plate to Faith and turned to carry his stack of dishes to the kitchen. He met his mother’s mirthful gaze and knowing smile, and the significance of helping with the dishes suddenly struck Luke.

His father had helped his mother every night, claiming it was their time together. Luke had, on occasion, watched silently from the doorway as his parents worked side by side. Doing dishes had become an intimate act that he’d never wanted to intrude on. Anticipation catapulted his heart into triple time.

The rational part of his brain screamed a warning. He didn’t want to get too comfortable in this domestic scene, but he was unable to resist.

His mother gracefully rose from the table, the twinkle in her eyes shining bright. Leo scrambled to pull out her chair.

“Thank you for dinner, Mrs. Campbell, Faith,” Jerry said as he rose. “This sure beats microwave or restaurant food.”

Mac and Charles rose as well, each adding their thanks.

“Any time, boys. We’re glad to have you on the ranch,” Dottie replied.

After the three men left, Dottie patted Leo’s hand. “Would you like to join me for some tea?”

“Sure would,” Leo answered.

Luke hesitated, not sure how he felt about his mother and Leo becoming chummy.

“I’ll start some water,” Faith offered.

Dottie gave her a grateful smile. “Thank you, dear.”

She and Leo went into the living room.

Luke helped Faith clear the table while he wrestled with the thought of his mother socializing. It wasn’t like she and Leo were going on a date or anything. Just two old friends having tea in the living room.

Get a grip.
He wasn’t his mother’s keeper.

“You really don’t have to help.” Faith set the kettle on the stove to boil.

“Oh, but I want to.” He picked up a dish towel. “You wash and I’ll dry.”

Faith arched a blond eyebrow. “And just why do I have to be the one to get dishpan hands?”

“You’re the woman,” he teased with a grin.

“Ah, that’s rational thinking coming from a mere man.” She rolled her eyes with an answering grin and turned on the faucet.

Within moments, steam rose from the hot spray of water.

“Here, I’ll wash,” Luke offered, realizing that as a society woman, she probably wasn’t used to washing dishes.

She waved him off. “I was just kidding. I’ll do it. It’s not that big a deal. Besides, the chore is kind of soothing.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” She slipped her hands into the water and scrubbed a plate before handing it to Luke to dry.

A lock of hair fell forward into Faith’s eyes and she blew at the stray wisp. Unable to resist, Luke reached out to brush back the strands and caressed her cheek. She turned to look at him, her gaze bright and trusting. He wanted to sink into her gaze, to taste her lips, to hold her close. His head dipped and gently he pressed his lips to hers, the contact sending jolts of sensation ricocheting through his system, making his toes curl inside his cowboy boots.

“Oh, don’t mind me. I’ll just grab a couple of cups and be out of your way in no time.”

His mother’s voice yanked Luke back to his senses. He straightened. Color rose high in Faith’s cheeks. She quickly turned back toward the sink and plunged her hands into the water.

Luke leaned against the counter and took several steadying breaths.

“Would anyone else like some tea?” Dottie cheerfully asked.

“No, no thank you, Mother,” Luke managed to answer, sounding somewhat normal.

“Well, you know, tea has a very calming effect.”

Faith made a strangled sound and Luke stared at his mother through narrowed eyes. Dottie blinked at him. He glanced at Faith. Her cheeks turned bright red and her lips were pressed together in a tight line. She thrust a plate into his hands.

They continued in silence until Dottie left the room.

The second his mother was gone, Faith turned on him. “What was that all about?”

“What?” he asked innocently.

“You know perfectly well what.” She stood with her soapy hands on her hips, sparks flying from her eyes.

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Her mouth dropped open and then snapped shut. Abruptly, she turned back to the sink and Luke thought that was the end, but she whirled back around. “You’re right it won’t happen again, Luke Campbell. Next time you kiss me, you’d better mean it.”

She threw a wet sponge at him, hitting him square in the chest, before marching out of the kitchen.

Luke stared at her retreating back in astonishment. Then a slow grin spread across his face as the implications of her words sunk in.

“Of all the insufferable, pigheaded, arrogant…” Faith punched her pillow, creating a nice round dent in the soft, downy feathers. The lingering effects of Luke’s kiss coursed through her veins.

She groaned aloud and punched the pillow again. He’d had the gall to apologize. And say he wouldn’t kiss her again. Faith buried her head beneath her pillow and willed herself to calm down. She really didn’t want his kisses, so why was she so upset?

A soft knock startled her into a sitting position. Slowly, she got off the bed and walked to the door leading to the hall and paused with her hand on the knob. “Yes?” she whispered.

“Faith, we need to talk,” Luke said.

“We can talk tomorrow.”

The door wasn’t locked but he wouldn’t enter unless invited. Vinnie wouldn’t have bothered to knock, he’d have just barged in. But she could trust Luke. He wouldn’t hurt her. Especially, physically.

Any emotional hurt would be her own fault.

T
he next day, after his chores, Luke found his mother and Faith sitting in the living room each with knitting needles and yarn in hand.

“Hello, ladies.”

“Can I make you a sandwich?” Faith asked, her gaze somewhat shy as she rose.

“I can get it,” he said and moved into the kitchen to wash up.

“I don’t mind,” she countered, her expression sincere as she followed him.

He relented. “That would be great, then.”

Remembering how they’d parted last night made Luke’s pulse quicken. He wanted to talk to her about the kiss and what it meant. Or didn’t mean. Or what they wanted the kiss to mean. But with his mother watching he chose not to approach the subject now.

“Reva hasn’t shown up again this morning,” Dottie commented as she too entered the kitchen.

Luke turned his attention away from watching Faith make his sandwich and addressed his mother. “I don’t know that she’ll be back.”

“Oh? Did something happen that I should know about?”

With a shrug, Luke replied, “I laid my feelings for her out on the table. She was pretty mad.”

Dottie whistled. “Well. It had to be done.”

“Here.” Faith handed him a plate with a thick ham sandwich.

“Bring that in to the living room and talk with us,” Dottie said.

Luke helped his mother to her favorite chair, and then sat next to Faith on the sofa, leaving mere inches between them.

Faith arched her eyebrows high and nodded to the rest of the sofa. “Is there something wrong with that end?”

He shrugged. “Not at all. Just more cozy here.”

He liked the way she blushed. Her complexion turned a pretty shade of pink and her eyes sparkled. It wasn’t nice to tease, but it was such fun.

Luke noticed his mother’s interested stare and gave her an innocent look before taking a bite of his lunch.

“You behave yourself,” Dottie admonished with a pleased smile.

“Always,” he answered with a lopsided grin.

Faith snorted beneath her breath. He nudged her with his elbow. “What?”

She turned her face toward him and it took a great deal of effort not to lean in close and taste her lips. Instead, he gave her a slow smile and savored her blush.

His mother’s voice drew his attention away from Faith. “I think I saw a raccoon this morning.”

“They’re seeking warmth. I’ll make sure I let Leo know so he can plug any holes in the llamas’ barn.”

Dottie motioned toward the bookshelf against the wall. “Luke, hand me those photo albums, please.”

“Ahh, Mom. You’re not going to start showing my baby pictures are you?”

“But, of course.” Dottie bestowed an innocent look on him. Faith burst out laughing.

Luke glowered in mock outrage. “You think that’s funny, do you?”

Still laughing, she nodded.

“Well, I’ll give you something to laugh about.” He set his plate on the coffee table and then his hands found the tender spot on her rib cage and began tickling. She squirmed beneath the onslaught.

His mother’s rich laughter stilled his hands.

Stunned, Luke couldn’t ever remember being compelled to tickle anyone, let alone doing so in front of his mother. Embarrassed to his toes, he picked up his plate and stared at the big Douglas fir tree by the window. “The tree looks great by the way.”

Mirth still danced brightly in Dottie’s eyes. “Yes, it does. Thanks to Faith, the whole house is ready for Christmas. I can’t believe just five more days. I need to go to town and do some shopping.”

“I’ll take you tomorrow, if you’d like,” Luke offered.

“Perfect. Maybe we can talk Faith into coming as well,” his mother said, her expectant gaze on Faith.

She swallowed and her expression showed the panic going on inside her head. Luke had already assured her the P.I. had left town, so why was she still so worried? “Or we can pick up anything you need,” he offered.

Her relieved smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll make a list. The pharmacy has a refill that needs to be picked up.”

“I can do that.” He rose. “I need to check on Lucy.”

“She’s due soon, isn’t she?” his mother asked.

“After Christmas.”

“Lucy?” Faith asked.

“One of the llamas is about to be a mama,” Luke explained as he retrieved the photo albums his mother had requested and handed them to Faith. “Have yourself a good laugh.”

Faith took the offered books and looked up at him. Traces of panic still lingered in her gaze and Luke hesitated. Part of him wanted to gather her close and reassure her that everything would be all right. He wouldn’t force her to go or do anything she didn’t want to.

A bigger part of himself ordered him to stand down. He was getting too entangled. She was his employee! And that was a road he didn’t want to travel. He forced himself to look away and breathe deeply.

After kissing his mother’s cheek, he headed toward the door. On the threshold, he paused and looked back. Faith still watched him, her expression tinged by a sadness he didn’t understand. He ached for her and felt a compelling pull to do whatever it took to make her relax.

Employee or not.

“And this picture was taken at Luke’s sixth birthday party.”

Faith stared at the snapshot of Luke wearing a miniature cowboy hat, leather chaps and showing a gap-tooth smile for the camera. Her fingertips brushed over the image.

Today she’d seen a glimpse of the little boy he must have been and she liked the playful side he’d displayed. She didn’t know what to make of him. He’d protected her, kissed her and now teased her outrageously. He made her head spin so fast she became dizzy any time she tried to hold on to an emotion or thought.

She tried to analyze what she was feeling. She was attracted to Luke, there was no denying that. In her eyes he was everything a man should be, handsome, but not too pretty, gentle, yet with a quiet strength that made her feel protected. He’d been sensitive to her feelings so many times. He’d earned her trust.

But she couldn’t allow herself to fall for him. He was a port in the storm of her life. And one day Dottie wouldn’t need her any longer and Luke would return to his military career. And she’d…

She pushed aside her confusion and concentrated on the photo album.

“This is my Blake.” Dottie pointed to a picture of a handsome man holding a small infant.

The resemblance between Luke and his father was uncanny. Faith touched the image. “You must miss him a great deal.”

“Yes, I do. He was a good husband and father. Luke is a lot like him.”

Faith smiled to hear the subtle suggestion in Dottie’s voice. She didn’t have to work too hard to know Dottie wanted her son to settle down and start a family. It’s what every mother wanted for her children. Faith had no doubt he’d make a fine husband and father.

“Luke was an adorable child.”

“That he was. He was also headstrong and willful.” Dottie chuckled. “I can’t wait for the day when he has his own kids and I can sit back to watch the fun.”

She could picture Luke holding an infant, his strong, gentle hands cradling the tiny body. “Luke will make a good father.”

“Do you like children, Faith?” Dottie’s steady gaze pinned her to the sofa.

“Yes, but…I don’t have a lot of experience with them.” Almost none. Vinnie had refused to start a family, and now she was very thankful. Adding a child to the situation would have been so unfair to the child. But in the future? She dared not even dream that far ahead.

“Do you like my son?”

Dottie’s blunt question startled her. “Uh, yes. I do like Luke. He’s a decent man.” Not to mention caring, sensitive and attractive.

“I think he likes you, too.” Dottie’s wistful expression made Faith’s heart pound.

“He’s a good employer,” Faith said, hoping that would put their relationship in perspective, for both her and Dottie.

Dottie’s slight smile told her she wasn’t convinced.

“What are you two doing?” Reva hovered just inside the doorway from the kitchen, a bucket of cleaning supplies in her hand. The tight pink sweater she wore optimized her cleavage.

Surprised to see Reva and thankful for the distraction, Faith answered, “Looking at some old photos.” She hesitated a moment, sympathy for the other woman twisted in her chest. “Would you care to join us?”

Reva’s expression shifted, and for a brief moment, Faith saw longing in her gray eyes. She understood what it was like to be on the outside looking in, wanting to belong.

How many times had she herself looked at Vinnie’s family and wanted to belong? They’d never let her in. And in retrospect, she was again thankful. Had she been attached to his family, would she have had the courage to flee when she needed to?

“Oh, Luke has shown me those before,” Reva said airily, her chin going up slightly as if challenging them to dispute her.

“That was nice of him,” Faith offered with compassion aching in her heart.

Reva smiled tightly and moved away from the door but instead of going back into the kitchen, she disappeared down the dark hall.

“I’m surprised she came back.” Dottie sighed. “I wish she’d get her own life.”

Now that Faith knew Reva’s situation and had heard Luke tell her the exact same thing, the wariness Faith had felt for Reva evaporated. “She seems lonely.”

The shrill sound of the phone echoed through the house.

“Would you mind getting that, dear?” Dottie leaned back in her chair.

“Sure.” Faith stood.

Just then Reva came sailing back into the room. “I’ll get the phone,” she threw over her shoulder before disappearing into the kitchen.

A moment later she reappeared. “It’s for you.”

Dottie began to rise, but Reva shook her head. “Not you, Dottie. The phone’s for Faith. You can take it in the kitchen.” Reva left the room and went back down the dark hall.

Faith couldn’t seem to make her feet move. She could feel the blood rushing from her head. Who could be calling?

“Do you want me to find out who it is?” Concern etched lines in Dottie’s forehead.

“No, that’s okay.” The last thing she wanted was for Dottie to think something was wrong. She forced herself to walk, dread creeping into her soul with each step. “It’s probably just the pharmacist. I refilled your meds yesterday.” Though why they’d be calling now, she didn’t know. The pharmacist had assured her the refill would be ready for pick up tomorrow.

In the kitchen the phone lay on the counter, Faith stared at the instrument with apprehension before picking up the receiver and putting it to her ear. “Hello?”

There was a moment of silence before a deep, muffled voice she couldn’t identify spoke. “I’m coming for you, Faith. You can’t get away from me. No matter where you go, I’ll find you.”

The line went dead.

Icy talons of fear pierced Faith’s skin, causing goose bumps to rise. She dropped the receiver. It clattered noisily on the counter and she backed away. Blood and fear pounded in her brain, her vision blurred.

Tears welled in her eyes and she bit her lip. A trickle of blood seeped into her mouth, the coppery taste making her gag. She hadn’t tasted her own blood since the night she’d run away. Violent shudders racked her body and her breathing became shallow.

She had to leave.

But how? Where would she go? Part of her wanted to give up. When would it ever end? Would she ever find the peace she so desperately sought?

The thought of leaving the Campbells’ weakened her knees, but for their sake, their safety, she had to go. Her sanctuary was nothing more than a house of cards. God wasn’t watching over her. She had to take care of herself and protect those around her. Never mind her selfish dreams.

“Faith, honey, are you all right?” Dottie called from the living room.

It took several tries before she managed to answer, “I’ll be right there.”

Her mind frantically reviewed her options. She could walk to town and catch a bus. But she’d have to ask Luke or Dottie for some cash. Or she could take some money from her trust fund. Since Vinnie already knew where she was, that seemed the best option.

Only she wouldn’t be able to get at the money unless she went to the bank. She’d have to go to town with Luke tomorrow.

Calming herself down enough to rejoin Dottie, Faith settled back on the couch, aware of Dottie’s scrutiny.

“You look a little pale,” Dottie commented. “Is something wrong?”

“I think I need some fresh air. Would you like to go outside?” Faith asked, hoping to distract Dottie.

Dottie slowly stood. “I’d love to see my babies.”

They bundled up and then stepped outside. The snow from the previous evening had dusted the gravel drive, making the uneven surface look more like a sea of scattered marshmallows rather than chunks of stones.

They approached the fence and the llamas meandered over. Brandy came bounding out of the barn to give Faith and Dottie wet kisses before running back to the barn and disappearing inside.

“Luke must still be in with Lucy,” Dottie commented.

Faith ran her hands through the soft fur of the animal named Ricky and wished the soothing texture could smooth the edges of her nerves.

“He likes you,” Dottie stated. “Ricky is usually very standoffish.”

“The llamas are much friendlier than I heard they were,” Faith said.

“Faith, Faith!”

Reva’s high-pitched call sent the llamas scattering. Reva came hurrying out from the house and down the road, her frosted curls bouncing about in disarray. She’d donned her black, fur-lined parka.

Reva gave Dottie a tight smile. “You’re looking the picture of health.”

“I feel good.” Dottie smiled back brightly and Faith was sure Reva’s eyes narrowed slightly before she turned to address her.

“I almost forgot. This was delivered for you on Friday.” Reva held out a white envelope.

Faith took it and frowned. “Who delivered it?”

“Oh, some local rug rat. Said some man in town paid him to ride his dirt bike out here.”

“When?” Faith looked toward the road. A boy had biked to the ranch and she hadn’t seen or heard him? A small tremor raced from Faith’s toes to her hand and her throat tightened. She was getting too complacent, too comfortable.