Terri Reed - Her Christmas Protector

She had owed her grandfather that for having taken her in after her parents died. Gerald Emerson Delange had been a Bible-thumping, judgmental and unyielding man. But she’d loved him and no one could be as difficult to care for as he’d been.

Oh, yes, she could care for Luke’s mother.

But would it be a wise choice?

She wouldn’t be visible, she’d have a place to stay and the job would probably pay decently. If no one knew she was there, maybe she’d even be safe for a while.

She stretched the aching muscles in her back. She couldn’t go on like this. Fatigue was making her mind fuzzy, not to mention her dwindling funds. And the longer she stayed in the open, the more chance she’d be found.

What choice did she have?

Faith paid her bill, gathered her belongings, and hurried from the diner to find Luke.

She caught a glimpse of him as he turned the corner, disappearing behind a building a block down the street. Even from a distance he made a striking picture. Instead of the expected easy-rolling gait of a cowboy, he walked with a purposeful stride. Head up and shoulders back. Very controlled. In fact, everything about Luke spoke of a forthright and self-controlled man.

I’m a captain in the army.

She had the feeling that with Luke you got what you saw. Faith liked that. It was so opposite of what she’d lived with for so long.

Desperate to catch him before he disappeared altogether, she jogged down the sidewalk, her bags jostling at her sides.

She turned the corner as Luke climbed into a dark green Bronco. An instant later, the engine roared to life. He backed his vehicle out of the parking place, the tires crunching on the snow-covered gravel. Faith dropped her bags and ran toward him.

“Luke! Luke, wait!”

The Bronco screeched to a stop. Luke rolled down his window. “Faith, are you okay?”

His deep voice washed over her, smoothing the rough edges of her nerves.

Nodding, she blinked up at him. “I…I wanted to ask you something.”

He gave her a curious stare. “Ask away.”

Anxiety threatened to wrap itself around her throat, but she bolstered her courage and plunged ahead. “I’d like to apply for that job you mentioned earlier.”

A confused frown marred his brow. “Job?”

Faith took a deep breath. “For your mother. The helper you needed.”

“I thought you were just passing through?”

“I changed my mind. The country air agrees with me.” She breathed in deep, the cold air filling her lungs and making her cough. It was either the air or she was losing her mind.

She probably was nuts to be doing this, but would she be found in this out of the way town in the middle of the Oregon Mountains? And on a ranch?

No, she didn’t think so. She was ninety-nine percent sure she’d be safe.

She’d worry about the other one percent later.

Hire her, Luke thought to himself immediately, and then heard himself say, “You’re hired.”

Her eyes rounded in surprise. “Just like that?”

Luke hesitated. He knew next to nothing about this woman and yet, when he looked into her eyes, the haunted expression that had bothered him earlier seemed to recede. “Just like that.”

“I’ll…get my bags.”

“Here, let me,” Luke offered as he opened the door. But she was already hurrying away.

Luke drummed his fingers on the door. Okay, Lord. I trust You know what You’re doing. Whatever You have planned, I’m with You.

Still, he couldn’t shake the unsettled knot in the pit of his stomach.

As Faith approached, Luke climbed out from behind the wheel and took her bags. He put them in the back and then helped her into the rig. “You travel light for someone who’s been out touring the country.”

“Easier to pack up and go.”

Luke climbed back behind the wheel and wondered what made her need to “pack up and go.”

He clamped his jaw tight. Why couldn’t God have provided some nice grandmotherly type, someone he could easily dismiss from his mind?

Luke slanted Faith a glance as he pulled out onto the street. Something about the way she held herself spoke of a quiet strength he found appealing. He wasn’t immune to her physical charms, either.

He liked the straight line of her nose and the stubbornness of her jaw. Her blond hair swung about her shoulders and he could almost imagine the feel of the silken strands gliding across his palm.

Resolutely, he shook the sensation away. He really didn’t need this.

Suddenly, Faith moved, throwing herself on the floor and he nearly careened into a building. He eased up on the gas pedal. “What are you doing?”

Her hunted expression reappeared, making her look wide-eyed and scared. “I…think my…ear…earring fell out,” she stammered and patted the floorboards.

For several seconds she continued to search the floor.

There’d been no jewelry adorning her ears. Interesting. “Find it?”

“Yes.” She attempted to sit up but her purse went flying to the floor, scattering paraphernalia at their feet. Diving down, she retrieved her goods.

Luke could have sworn she’d nudged her purse off the seat on purpose. Curiosity burned in his gut. “Room and board.”

He glanced down at her bent head. He noticed one hand held her purse while the other put air into the purse’s opening. His curiosity cranked up a notch and his brows drew together.

She peeked at him through a veil of blond hair. “Excuse me?”

She was acting so…odd. Luke forced his attention on the road ahead of them. “I said, room and board. Plus two-hundred dollars a week.”

“That sounds perfect.” Her muffled voice held relief.

They passed through town and he waved at several people. Then the realization hit him. She didn’t want anyone to see her leaving with him.

Why?

Luke turned the truck onto the road leading to his parents’ ranch. “We’re out of town. You’re safe now.”

Faith started and sat up. Her face flushed a deep crimson. “What do you mean?”

He nodded toward the floor. “You find everything?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. Thanks.” She turned away from him, her hands clasped into a tight knot.

Seeing her knuckles turn white, he felt the need to assure her and calm her fears. “Relax, Faith. It’s going to be okay.”

The fearful expression in her eyes told him she wasn’t convinced.

A little small talk might ease the situation. “Where are you from?”

“Back east.”

“Back east is a big place,” he stated with wry amusement.

One corner of her mouth lifted. “New York.”

He arched an eyebrow. “It’s a big state.”

She slanted a glance his way. “Yes. It is.”

He’d bet she came from money. The graceful table manners she’d displayed and her cultured speech oozed private school, which only left him more intrigued.

“The countryside is so beautiful and peaceful,” she commented, then asked, “Have you lived here your whole life?”

“Born and raised.” He didn’t mention he’d left at eighteen and only recently returned.

“How long ago did your mother have her heart attack?”

“Two weeks.” He’d wanted a nurse to care for his mother just in case she suffered another attack, but the doctor had assured him she would be back to normal soon. All she needed was rest and a little exercise. And someone constantly making sure she was doing just that. Someone besides Reva May Scott.

“What does your family think of your see-America jaunt?” he asked.

She pressed her lips together and shrugged. “Who’s Reva?”

She was good at changing the subject. “That’s a complicated question.”

He thought for a moment how best to answer. “Her father and my dad were good friends. When her mother took off after she was born, her dad started drinking. My dad tried to step in as much as possible for them.”