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His eyes rise to mine.

“Answer me. How did you know those men were following me?”

“I was—” He stops.

I wait. Samuel bends to tie one boot, although the laces are already secured. “I was in town.”

“For three straight days?”

His shoulders tighten.

“Were you working for my father?”

“No.”

“Did someone hire you to protect me?”

“No.”

“Then why were you always close enough to see them?”

“I…”

He trails off again.

I stare at him. Samuel Colter doesn’t stutter. He barely speaks enough to make stuttering possible. I’ve watched him face armed men without hesitation. He charged toward a moose. He carried me through miles of dark forest as though nothing in the world could stop him.

Now he can’t finish a sentence.

“Samuel?”

His throat moves. “I was watching you.”

The words are so quiet I nearly miss them.

“What?”

“I watched you.”

“Because you thought I was in danger?”

“No.”

“Because it was your job?”

“No.”

Confusion settles over me. “Then why?”

He stands and crosses to the fireplace. The room is large, but it suddenly feels too small for him. He braces both hands on the stone mantel and stares into the flames.

I slide from the bed. My ankle is much better this morning, but I still limp slightly as I follow him.

“How long?” I ask.

He doesn’t answer.

“You’ve been following me without knowing anyone was after me?”