“You love her.”
“I do. So much so that I can’t do this to her.” His attention flew to Evie as she brought a tray with a pitcher of lemonade and glasses to the table, then disappeared back inside the house, her steps slow as if a heavy weight had settled on her shoulders. She was scared, he knew—he’d felt the trembling in her hand when she held his—knowing that King might be here, knowing what that meant. Guilt and anger raged through him. He had done that to her and it wasn’t right.
“I am sorry, boyo.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s mine. All mine. And I accept responsibility. I should never have gambled with King. I knew better. I knew his reputation, knew what he was a capable of.” He clenched his hands into fists, his short nails digging into the soft flesh of his palms. “I should never have fallen in love with her either.”
“I don’t see how you could have helped yourself. She’s a lovely woman…and probably much stronger than you give her credit for.”
He had no doubts about that. Evie was strong…look at all that she had accomplished, but this…this was different. She’dnever dealt with a ruthless, relentless man before, one who didn’t take no for an answer, one who wouldn’t hesitate to kill.
The sound of horse’s hooves pounding into the barnyard startled him. Already the threat of King was having an effect on him. Would he jump at every shadow now? Every noise? He relaxed, the tension seeping out of him, when he saw that it was Teddy—not King—riding into the yard, leading a young pitch-black colt behind him. “If you’ll excuse me, Father.”
Father O’Malley followed his line of sight. “Of course. Who is that young man?”
“Evie’s nephew. Teddy. I have to tell him what you’ve told me. About King.”
“He’s the angry one you mentioned in your letters, correct?” The priest’s eyes radiated sympathy. So did the expression on his face. “I understand. Do you want me to come with you?”
Jake shook his head, already feeling the tension rising up in him again. “Thank you, Father, but this is something I need to do myself. I won’t be surprised if I find myself knocked on my a—behind.”
“As you wish, son.” Father O’Malley nodded toward the patio, where Evie was settling into her seat at the little table. “I’ll just be getting to know your Miss Evie a little better. I think I’ll enjoy that. Sheisan extraordinary woman.”
He watched the priest stroll toward the patio and take the seat on the other side of the table, across from Evie. The smile on her face, though warm and inviting for Father O’Malley, was just a façade, and she would keep it up until they could have a moment alone together. He dreaded that conversation almost as much as he dreaded the one he had to have with Teddy.
Jake turned his attention to Evie’s nephew. Already the pain in his chest, around his heart, made breathing in and out more difficult, but he couldn’t put it off. Waiting wouldn’t change anything. King was here—or soon to be. The summons to sitacross the poker table from him so he could win back his money was inevitable. So was the bullet meant for his heart.
Jake put one foot in front of the other and headed toward the man who’d become a friend, though he doubted that budding friendship would survive this.
Teddy grinned at him. “Afternoon, Jake.” He gestured toward the colt. “Meet your next project. What do you think?”
“He’s magnificent. What’s his name?”
Teddy shrugged. “I haven’t named him yet.”
Jake smoothed his hand over the colt’s nose and looked deeply into the horse’s eyes. “If you’re taking suggestions, I think Midnight would suit him.”
“Excellent choice.” He handed Jake the rope. “Midnight it is.” He moved toward one of the smaller paddocks, tied Soldier Boy’s reins to the fence, then opened the gate. Jake led Midnight into the corral, and removed the rope from around his neck, allowing the colt to run free within the enclosure. He joined Teddy at the gate and leaned his arms on the fence, his gaze on Midnight.
“Look at the way he runs.” Once again, his jaw clenched as an overwhelming sadness filled him. It would have been a pleasure to train this colt.
“That’s why I chose him. He’s got heart.”
After a moment, Jake cleared his throat and glanced at Teddy. “I need to talk to you.”
Before Jake could utter a word, voices drifted to them from the patio. Both men turned at the same time.
“Who’s that man withTiaEvie?”
Jake focused on the patio where Evie sat with Father O’Malley, his eyes misting just a bit to see the woman he loved with the man who held such affection in his heart. “That’s Father O’Malley.”
Teddy turned toward him, surprise making his eyes widen. “Your Father O’Malley?”
“Yes.”
“What’s he doing here?” On the heels of the question, suspicion lowered his brows in an instant and pulled down the corners of his mouth. “Is it that King person you told me about? Is he coming here?”
“Unfortunately, yes. He might be in Serenity already.”
