Page 56 of In Honor’s Defense

He could not have aimed a better shot. The arrow cracked open her armor and sank into the vulnerable flesh beneath.

“I suppose it all comes down to determining what is truly in the child’s best interest,” she said as she grabbed the back of the chair she’d just vacated, seeking support.

He nodded. “I suppose it does.”

The lawyer’s words lingered in Damaris’s mind long after she left his office. She prayed most of the way home, asking the Lord for discernment to recognize what was best and for courage to see it done no matter the personal cost.

When her wagon rolled into the yard and she spotted Luke and Nathaniel laughing together by the water pump, dirt and sweat coating them from head to toe, the scene soothed her worries. This was what was best for Nathaniel. A godly man to mentor him. A mother figure to love and nurture him. Memories of his parents surrounding him with encouragement and purpose. If only she could capture this moment and make it last.

Luke caught sight of her first. He lifted a hand in greeting, then gave the pump handle a few good thrusts before washing away the grime from his face, neck, and hands. Nathaniel, on the other hand, bolted away from the pump, perfectly content in his mud-encrusted state, and ran up to the wagon.

“Can Luke and me go shooting before supper? He said I needed to ask your permission, so can we?”

She pulled the wagon to a halt and looked over at Luke, who stood at a distance, rubbing a towel over his short-cropped hair. His eyes met hers, but she sensed no direction from him. He’d abide by whatever she decided.

Damaris returned her attention to her nephew. Her first instinct was to please him, to make him happy and perhaps in the process make him like her a little better. Yet equally strong was the desire to keep him safe. He was still a child, after all. A child on the cusp of manhood. How did mothers stand back and allow their sons to become men when the journey was fraught with so many dangers?

“Don’t you already know how to shoot?” she asked, trying to find a way to squirm out of making an actual decision.

Nathaniel rolled his eyes at her. “There’s a difference between knowing how to shoot and being good enough to hit your target nine times out of ten. It takes practice, Aunt Maris.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice to a husky whisper. “And who better to practice with than one of Hanger’s Horsemen? Please, Aunt Maris? Luke’s gonna be gone all day tomorrow. This is our best chance.”

Her head snapped up, and her eyes immediately sought out Luke. “You’re going to be gone tomorrow?”

He strode toward the wagon. “Yep. Gonna ride to Huntsville. Get these stitches out. I’ll be back before nightfall.”

He was leaving?

Just for a day. Not permanently. Still, the panic that hit her chest at the news would have knocked her flat if she hadn’t still been sitting on the wagon bench.

“All right.” She hid her churning emotions behind a stern façade as she lowered her gaze to Nathaniel. “But you listen to Luke and do everything exactly as he says. Understand?”

“Woohoo!” He jumped and pumped a fist into the air. “I’ll get Pa’s gun.”

“Not until you clean up at the pump,” Luke said, one eyebrow raised.

“Yes, sir!” Nathaniel dashed off to do just that.

Luke closed the remaining distance to the wagon and held a hand out to her. “I’ll keep a close eye on him.”

Was he going to help her down this time? Had he healed enough? His gaze held no uncertainty. Only a heat that melted her insides and set her head to spinning like a weather vane in a windstorm.

“I trust you,” she murmured, her meaning seeming to broaden from shooting lessons to something much more personal as she rose to her feet and turned to face him.

He said nothing more, just fit his hands to her waist and slowly lowered her to the ground. The trip seemed to last forever, yet it ended far too quickly. Their eyes never wavered from each other. Her hands settled on his wide shoulders, and his fingers twitched against her stays. Her feet gradually came to rest on the earth, but neither of them cared. His hands retained their position. Hers did the same.

“I’ll stay as long as you need me.” The promise he’d made days ago reflected again in his eyes.

Her heart thumped out the question she didn’t yet have the courage to ask aloud. What if I need you forever?

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SIX

Strange how a house that had never felt lonely when she’d been alone in it before could suddenly feel soulless and empty despite the fact that nothing had physically changed. The clock on the parlor mantel still chimed every hour. The same creaky floorboards in the hall greeted her each time she passed. Yet the silence felt magnified.

Breakfast had been a bustling affair. Nathaniel had chattered nonstop about the target shooting yesterday afternoon while Luke praised his improved marksmanship and made suggestions about what they might try next. Damaris couldn’t imagine a more perfect way to start the day. So many smiles had circled their table that she’d almost grown dizzy from watching them make the rounds. Not a single belligerent scowl or sarcastic comment emerged to take the shine off the morning. Add to that the warm glances she’d collected from Luke along with his quiet thanks and sincere compliments, and she found herself wishing she could somehow capture the moment with needle and thread in one of her samplers so she could treasure it forever.

Then they’d left. Nathaniel to school, Luke to Huntsville. Hours later, she could still see her Horseman turn in his saddle to tip his hat to her before riding away.