Jessica Nelson - Family on the Range

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Mary peeked around the door frame of the downstairs study. After racing through the house, searching for Josie, she’d hidden in the study while James spoke with the man at the door. The visitor sounded urbane and sophisticated. She’d caught sight of a pressed suit and slicked-back hair as the men went up the stairs.

Was it someone from the bureau? Why else would James bring this stranger into the house? Heart pounding, she moved around the corner and into the empty hall. The rising sun splashed light against the dark floor she’d waxed yesterday morning.

She loved this home, had lived here for all of her adult life, but it was time to grow up. With time, Trevor’s house would feel like hers. She picked her way to the stairs, listening to the low sound of masculine voices.

As she moved upward, the voices escalated. A sense of urgency propelled her to the noise. She reached the top and spotted an unhappy-looking James with the stranger, standing outside Lou’s door.

“I was just fixing to show this man out of the house,” James said, his tone a warning.

Oh, no. The man must have forced his way upstairs and she was sure James didn’t carry his weapon in the house. But he did have one stashed in the guest room....

Wetting her lips, she smoothed her dress and started their way. “Gentlemen.” She forced her lips into a smile, shivering inside when the man swiveled toward her. His eyes were the same purple color as Josie’s, but where the child’s were alive and bright, his looked dark and forbidding.

Evil.

An inner warning she’d developed as a young girl encased her body, chilling her to the core. This man intended wickedness, of that she was sure. Smile pasted to her face, she drew near Lou’s door, sliding her body in front of the knob. She needed to distract him.

James gave her an imperceptible nod of approval before turning to the stranger. “This is Mary, our housekeeper. She the one you’ve been looking for?”

The man’s gaze traveled the length of her, a leer in his eyes if not on his lips. Dread pooled in her belly, and she had to force herself to meet his stare, to be calm in the face of his unrelenting perusal. This man fed on control. It made him feel powerful.

She’d met enough like him in her mother’s former life to read the sins on his face.

Finally, the man looked at James. “No, the woman I’m looking for is much older. I was told you housed a Paiute, but evidently this lady isn’t the one.” The man gave her a slow, ugly wink. “I could offer you a better job. Higher pay.” His gaze flicked over her work dress. “Nicer clothes.”

“Perhaps you know the woman’s name for whom you search?” she managed to say, though her tongue cleaved to the roof of her mouth.

“I only know she took something of mine, and I want it back.”

Mary gulped, despising the fear that froze her veins and rooted her to the floor like an ice statue.

James broke the tension by clapping a hand on the stranger’s shoulder. “Well, now you’ve met Mary and she’s not the one, so why don’t I get you some vittles and drink before you get on your way.”

“Will you reconsider my offer?” The stranger directed his question to her.

She couldn’t speak, could only shake her head.

“Very well. A pleasure meeting you, ma’am.” He inclined his head, but she had no intention of reciprocating. None at all.

A hard look passed over his face when he realized her snub. James strode down the short hall to the stairs, beckoning the man to follow, but he paused in front of her, lips a thin line against his pale skin. “You’re a scared little lady.” The corner of his mouth tilted. “I like that.”

Her heart stilled in its beating, paralyzed, until he pivoted and sauntered after James. Then it resumed a frantic pounding that flushed blood through her body so fast her knees grew wobbly and she thought she might vomit.

Get control. She had to be stronger somehow. Take charge of the situation. There was no way on earth she’d let Josie return to that monster. If she had to keep the girl in hiding her entire life, then that was what she’d do.

Inhaling several deep breaths, she sagged against the door, letting her body calm and forcing her face to relax. If she went into Lou’s bedroom right now, he’d know with one look that something was wrong.

The last thing he needed was action, and knowing him, it would be his first instinct. If he discovered this man was looking for Josie, what would he do? The question filled her with uneasiness.

Somehow she had to work harder to locate Josie’s mother. See if she was a more fit parent than the malevolent stranger she’d just met.

Squaring her shoulders, she straightened and let herself into Lou’s room. His window faced south, exposing a bright sky scattered with fluffy clouds that spoke nothing of evil. Only of good. Of a loving God who’d rescued her from men like the stranger who’d just visited.

A cleansing calm spread through her. She walked to Lou, who lay on the bed watching her, an alert expression on his handsome face.

“Who was the visitor?” His eyes, those shining orbs that had caught her attention from the moment they’d met, glinted at her.

“A stranger.” She gingerly sat on the side of his bed, careful not to bump his body. “How is your wound?”

“Burning, but not as much as my gut. Something’s wrong, and I want to know what.”

“The man was looking for a Paiute woman. He said she took something of his.”

“Josie,” Lou stated, giving her a hard look, not his usual smile.

“The man didn’t specify but I’m assuming so.” Stomach quivering, she clasped her hands. “My mother—”

“The woman who abandoned you?” he interrupted, his face darkening.

“She found Josie near Harney Lake, half-dead. Since I have my own home, she asked me to hide her until things were safe.”

“Safe from what?” Lou tried to push up from the bed but stopped, a grimace crossing his even features. “Never mind. You have no business keeping her and you know it. That’s called kidnapping.”

“No,” she protested shakily. “I’ve telegraphed the Portland police, and they’re trying to locate her mother. My mother claimed to be familiar with the father and said he’s put up a reward for Josie, but when I rode into town the other day, I saw no such thing.”

Lou settled back, the whiskers on his chin drawing Mary’s attention. He needed a shave badly. Her gaze traversed the face of a man who’d protected her for so long. Now that time had passed. Now was the moment for her to stand proud and strong. To rise as a woman in charge of her own life.

She could not allow him to take Josie away. This matter belonged to her.

But as she studied him, she realized that despite his good looks and charming smile, he was still exhausted and in need of her care. The epiphany brought a tender warmth to her chest. “I will make you a special meal tonight.”

“You will, huh?” Familiar crinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes. “Josie might have something to say about it.”

Mary’s warm feeling dissipated. “She will not be an issue. You will not have to see her.”

“Too late.” He gestured to the floor. “Come on out, Josie.”

Scrambling ensued before the towheaded girl popped out near Mary’s feet. Stifling a surprised squeal, she frowned at the girl. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Josie squirmed, eyes cast down. “I just wanted to meet Mister Lou.”

“We met, all right.”

“She’s staying with me,” Mary put in, worry welling up at Lou’s tone. He sounded distant, more removed than she thought possible. “You have no part of this decision I’ve made.”