“Jake, please,” he reminded her once again. “I wanted to apologize again if my being in the barn with you caused an argument between you and Teddy.”
“Did he say something to you?”
“No, but there was this look in his eyes this morning. It was the same look as yesterday morning. And the morning before that.” He chuckled. “Actually, it’s no different than the look I’ve been getting since I got here.”
“A look? You mean his lips pressed together, eyes narrowed and shooting daggers, the muscle near his eye twitching? I’ve been on the receiving end ofthatlook before.”
“Oh, he wasn’t happy. That much was clear, but at the same time, I definitely saw some humor in his expression as well.” He placed the saddle on Spitfire.
“Humor? That doesn’t sound right. I’ll talk to him again.”
“No need. He is protecting you…from me. I understand. I just wish I could make him see that I would never hurt you, Evie.” His gaze swept over her face. It was almost as if he touched her. “I would protect you, just like he would. I imagine everyone here would do the same.”
He tightened the cinches, then bent over and laced his hands, providing a step for her. Evie placed her foot into his hands and her hand on his shoulder, the muscles beneath his skin hard and unyielding and so warm, and lifted herself into the saddle. He adjusted the stirrups, making sure her feet were positioned correctly. Was it just her imagination or did she actually feel the heat of his hand through her boot?
She looked down from the saddle, focusing on his mouth as he smiled up at her and her heart melted a little. He said he would protect her. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.” He grinned that devastating grin, his amber eyes crinkling at the corners, and for an insane moment, she wanted to slide from the saddle and into his arms. She wanted to press her lips to his and kiss him. Instead, she turned away, nudged Spitfire, and rode out of the barnyard to meet up with Teddy, but that didn’t stop her from feeling the heat of his gaze. Or imagining what could be.
Jake stood in the barnyard, his attention focused on the horizon, long after Evie disappeared from view.
“How are you getting along here, son?”
He turned to see Charley leaning against one of the fence posts. How long had he been standing there?
“Fine, sir.”
The older man moved away from the fence and walked toward him, hands on his hips, eyes squinted against the sun. “She is something, isn’t she?”
“Who?”
Charley stopped beside him, a grin that said ‘you know exactly who I’m talking about’ hovering about his mouth. “Evie. I’ve known her from the moment she was born. Her sister Regina, too. Their mother, Victoria, was a dear friend. The girls’ father, too, by extension, though he and I didn’t see eye to eye very often. I hated how he disowned both his daughters, but there was no changing his mind, and believe me, I argued.” He pulled his hat a little lower, blocking out the glaring rays of the sun. “She’s a good woman, Evie. Not many would have given up what she did for her sister.”
“No, sir. They would not.”
“Even fewer would have put their lives on hold to raise the children.” He gave him a direct look. “Felicity and I love her like a daughter.”
Ah, there it was. Not a threat, like Antonio and Teddy had given him, but a warning just the same. Clear and unmistakable. Jake glanced at the older gentleman, only to find himself on the receiving end of a very thorough scrutiny, almost as methodical and complete as any he’d received from Teddy and Esteban.
Charley’s intent was apparent—don’t hurt Evie.
Warning noted. “I just want you to know that I would never hurt Miss Evie.”
“You’d better not.”
Jake acknowledged the statement with a nod.
“Felicity and I are heading into town.”
“I’ll get the buggy.” Jake said, before the man even asked.
“Thank you. I appreciate that, son.”
Jake walked into the corral and retrieved Winston, one of the draft horses, from its confines. The man’s eyes remained on him as he led the horse toward the building behind the barn.
It didn’t take long to harness Winston to the buggy, nor wipe down the seats with an old rag. He brought the buggy around to the rose arbor at the end of the garden path where Charley waited for his wife.
Felicity came out of the house and approached them with a wide smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Hannigan.”
