Teddy’s stare was as intense as Jake had ever seen it. “What are you going to do?”
Jake couldn’t get the words to come.
“You’re leaving. Because of King.”
Jake nodded though it broke his heart. He didn’t want to leave—he loved the ranch—more importantly, he loved Evie, but he didn’t have very many choices. King would come for him. Or summon him for the opportunity to win his money back. It wouldn’t be a friendly invitation. The odds Jake would walk away from the encounter unscathed didn’t seem likely.
“What aboutTiaEvie? She loves you. She’ll be devastated if you leave.”
“She could be hurt if I stay. Any of you could. It’s too dangerous for me to stay here.” He couldn’t bring himself to utter the word ‘die,’ though he was well aware that was a very distinct possibility. “—if King holds true to form.”
“So you think he’ll just ride out to the ranch and shoot you?”
“That isn’t King’s way. No, he’ll demand that we meet and play cards so he can win his money back, but even once he wins…that’s when he’d shoot me.”
“Do you still have the money you won from him?”
“I do.” He pointed to the black valise leaning against a fence post, the one he should have put away as soon as Father O’Malley handed it to him.
Teddy glanced at the bag then back at him and shrugged. “Then just give it to him.”
“I tried that, too.” Jake’s body stiffened, every muscle taut. “Several times. He refused my offers and started harassing my housekeeper so badly, she quit. Left ‘invitations’ on the table inside my entry hall so I’d know he was there in my house. When that didn’t work, he resorted to burning my house to the ground.” He shook his head. “It’s King’s ego. Hehasto win.”
“So you’re going to leave, going to allow him to win, whether you play cards or not.”
“I don’t see where I have very many choices.”
Teddy shook his head, then stared so fiercely at him, Jake felt the intensity of it all the way to the pit of his stomach. “I thought I told you once before that Silvas don’t run from trouble, that we’d stand beside you.”
Gratitude made his throat close. That Teddy, and the rest of the family, would stand up for him, help him, overwhelmed him. “You did. And I appreciate that, but…”
“But what?”
Jake shook his head. He wasn’t going to win this argument. He knew it. Teddy knew it, too. “So what am I supposed to do? Just wait for King to make his move? To force my hand?”
“In a word, yes, but until he does, we’ll have time to figure something out.” Teddy smiled suddenly, which was unusual considering the circumstances. “TiaEvie always taught us that there was a solution to every problem. I’m sure there is for this one, too. Tonight, after Heath and Esteban come in from the summer pasture, we’ll all sit down and discuss it. Antonio and Uncle Charley, too. Hell, we’ll call a family meeting after the children are asleep and we’ll come up with a plan.”
Emotion choked him, so much so that he could hardly speak. “I don’t know what to say.”
Teddy clapped him on the back. “Thank youwill suffice.”
She liked Father O’Malley. She really did. He seemed like a kind and gentle soul, but she wished he’d never come to Montaña del Trueno…especially not with the news he delivered. King was here or soon to be, and she knew exactly what that meant. Jake would leave, whether she wanted him to or not, either to avoid him or to confront him, and possibly lose his life. Neither option was acceptable.
She stared at Father O’Malley’s departing back until the dust of his passage settled back to earth. Unshed tears stung her eyes and she drew in a shuddering breath. She raised her eyes to the heavens. “I will not lose another person I love to a damned gambler.”
Jake was seated in one of the patio chairs when she approached him. He tried to look relaxed, as if neither one of them had received devastating news, but it was all an act. She could see how tense he was, his muscles taut, and though he smiled at her, it wasn’t the same charming grin she’d come to know.
“You’re leaving,” she stated without any preamble, though the words had to be forced from her throat. “Whether I want you to or not.”
He shook his head as he stood. “No, I’m not, but I will answer King’s call when it comes. I won’t have a choice. I’d rather meet him somewhere away from here than have him come to the ranch.”
Her heart was so heavy in her chest it seemed as if it was hardly beating at all. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. “He’ll kill you.”
Jake opened his arms.
She stepped into his warm embrace and rested her head against his chest. His heart beat strong, a steady rhythm that was somehow comforting. His voice rumbled from deep in his chest when he finally spoke. “I won’t let that happen, Evie.” She found solace in his embrace for the moment, but she knew it wouldn’t last.
“We’ll figure a way out of this, Evie. Teddy’s calling a family meeting tonight.” He dropped a kiss to the top of her head. “It’ll be all right.”
