Her Christmas Protector

After making sure Dottie was comfortably settled for the night, Faith went back to her room. She sat on the bed, elbows propped on her knees and her chin resting in her palm. The afternoon had flown by as she and Dottie talked. There hadn’t been any sign of Luke, not until dinnertime. He’d come upstairs carrying two plates heaping with a delicious-smelling rice-and-chicken casserole, which she assumed Reva had cooked.

When Dottie had asked why he wasn’t eating with them, Faith noticed he’d glanced at her before saying he was going to eat in his office while finishing up some work. She’d been able to eat very little of the meal.

Had she made him rethink hiring her? She hadn’t meant to be so obvious in the car. But the fewer people who knew where she was the longer she’d be safe. And the longer she’d be able to stay.

She finished unpacking and was about to crawl into bed when she heard the creak of floorboards outside her door.

Old fears surged, her muscles tensed. Was someone coming for her? Would someone bust through the door?

No! She was safe. It was only Luke going to his room.

Ugh! She couldn’t jump at every sound. She’d drive herself nuts for sure doing that.

When the house finally grew quiet and still, she turned off the light. As tired as she was, it would be a long while before she could banish the awareness of the cowboy down the hall.

Early morning sun streamed through the barn windows, casting long, bright rays over the horses and the stacks of hay. The smell of the animals mingled with the hay.

Luke rested his hands on the pitchfork. Every morning he came out to the barn and fed the horses. He could assign the job to one of the hands, but the chore had been his when he was younger and somehow the task helped to relieve his grief over his father’s passing. Hard physical labor helped get him through the worst of the pain.

When he’d first arrived, his father had barely been alive. If only he’d come home earlier, Luke thought for the millionth time as he pitched hay into the first stall. Those last few hours together hadn’t been enough time to say all the things Luke had wanted to say. He hadn’t told his father how much he admired him or how grateful he was to have had him as a father. Luke would always regret the years apart. The years of silence.

Once the funeral was over, Luke had harnessed his energies to the ranch. Luke started the re-fence on the entire acreage, started repairs on the barn and the corral. Chores that should have been taken care of long ago.

His next project, he decided, would be the main house. It needed a new roof and the porch could stand some work. Staring at the structure through the double doors of the barn, he pictured a swing on the front porch. His mother would like that. Luke shook his head in wry amusement. He shouldn’t be looking for more reasons to stay.

His unit needed him.

It was past time for him to wrap things up on the ranch so he could leave right after Christmas. He could hire out the work that needed to be done. And for sure hire some more hands to replace the two that had left. His foreman needed a vacation, as well.

The burden of responsibility made Luke’s shoulders ache.

At least he’d done something right by hiring Faith. For the past three days she’d been a constant companion to his mother. When he left he would be assured that his mom would be in good hands.

He picked up more hay with the pitchfork just as Faith stepped out onto the porch into the sunshine. He took a deep breath and enjoyed the view, noticing the way winter sunlight danced off her golden hair, reminding him of Christmas lights. Bright and shining. Beautiful.

Her light wool coat, buttoned to the top, looked warm, but wouldn’t hold up once it snowed again. She wrapped slender hands around a steaming mug and walked to the porch railing. Leaning her hips against the wood, she stared out at the scenery and sipped from the cup.

Luke knew what she was seeing; he’d stood in the exact spot too many times to count. From that vantage point, one could view the cattle grazing and the Three Sisters Mountains—Faith, Hope and Charity—rising majestically in the distance.

Studying Faith’s profile, he wondered, what’s your story? A part of him wanted to delve deep and find out what she was hiding from. But he’d already decided he wasn’t going to get any more deeply involved.

Faith turned her head toward the barn and Luke knew the exact moment she saw him. Her eyes crinkled at the corners and her generous mouth curved upward into a stunning smile. His pulse quickened. For a heartbeat, Luke almost convinced himself she was glad to see him.

Feeling like a schoolboy caught staring at his teacher, he raised his hand in greeting, and sucked in his breath when she sat the mug down and pushed away from the railing. Mesmerized, he watched her walk across the porch and down the stairs, every movement flowing from her with graceful ease.

From around the corner of the house Brandy bounded up to Faith, who bent to nuzzle the dog’s neck. A ridiculous sense of jealousy tore through Luke. He rolled his eyes. You can’t be jealous of your dog. But he would’ve given anything to be on the receiving end of Faith’s affection.

Faith and Brandy came forward and stopped steps from where he stood.

Luke tipped his hat. “Morning.” Up close, she was even more attractive.

“Good morning, Luke.”

He tore his gaze away from hers with effort and stared down at Brandy. “Seems you found yourself a friend.”

Her hand stroked behind the dog’s ears. “Yes, I have.”

“It’s good to have friends,” Luke remarked, once again plagued by questions about this woman.

“Uh-huh.”

The noncommittal answer made him frown. “Did you leave many friends behind?” he asked.

Visibly tensing at his words, she clasped her hands together, the knuckles turning white. “Some.” The single word echoed in the barn.

“It’s hard leaving behind the people you love.” He said it more as a statement than a question, knowing firsthand how hard it was to walk away from the important people in his own life. And how difficult it would be to do again.

“Yes, it is,” she agreed softly.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

She shook her head, her expression wary.

“I’m a good listener.” What was he doing? He’d told himself he wasn’t going to do this.

She gave him a tentative smile. “Thanks, I’ll remember that. Actually, I was hoping you’d help me get your mother downstairs when you have a chance. She’s been walking around upstairs but she’ll need help negotiating a flight of stairs. The first time we try, I feel you should be present.”

“Sure. When I finish here I’ll be right up.”

“Great. Dottie will be so pleas—” She stopped and cocked her head to one side.

The crunch of gravel sounded on the drive. But from where they stood they couldn’t see the vehicle.

“Are—are you expecting someone?” Faith’s voice changed.

Luke heard and saw the fear sweeping over her. “No, but people—friends—stop by all the time.”

The vehicle on the drive stopped and the sound of a door opening and closing echoed in the chilly air.

In one swift, graceful motion, Faith darted to a darkened corner of the barn where she pressed her back against the wall, her hands fisted at her sides.

“Faith, you’re safe here—” Luke was silenced by the finger she put to her lips and the look of terror on her face.

“Okay, God, please cover me,” Luke mumbled and moved closer, positioning himself between Faith and the door. A brief look of comprehension passed across her features before they heard the heavy footfalls coming toward the barn. Each step drew the unknown closer.

Luke tensed in response to Faith’s palpable apprehension. But how could he protect her when he didn’t know what she was afraid of?

A small, panic-born whimper escaped her as a man stepped into view.

FOUR

Luke exhaled a rush of adrenaline and moved forward. “Matt Turner, you old dog.”

As he shook Matt’s hand, Luke glanced at Faith. The tension in her expression eased and her body went limp against the barn wall.

He figured Faith could use a moment alone.

Guiding Matt toward the empty corral, Luke stationed himself so he could see the barn. “What brings you out this way so early?”

Matt pushed back his black cowboy hat. “Just thought I’d come and see what my good buddy’s been up to. We haven’t seen much of you since you came home. Sally’d love for you to come out to the house for dinner some night.”

Luke smiled at the invitation and the note of affection in Matt’s voice for his wife. The couple had been high school sweethearts, clearly meant for each other. Luke and Matt had been friends since they were in diapers, and Luke should have made an effort to see the couple and their kids.

“Dinner would be great. I’d like that.” Luke kept his eyes on the barn. Was Faith okay?

Faith stepped from the shadows and looked in his direction before hurrying toward the house.

What was going on? He wanted to know what had her so tied up in knots. He wanted to protect her. Help her.

But first, he had to win her trust.

Inside, Faith struggled to calm her racing heart. The panic still hadn’t abated, but at least she could take a breath now. Dottie chatted away, oblivious to Faith’s inner chaos. And Faith couldn’t track the stream of words. She wanted to be attentive. She really did.

But her focus, her self-preservation instincts demanded her attention. She stared out the window at Luke and his friend.

How could she explain to Luke about the overwhelming sense of danger she lived with?

If she told him why she was running, what then? Would he ask her to leave? Or would he want to play the hero and promise to protect her?

She gave a silent scoff. No one could protect her. Hadn’t she already learned that lesson well enough?

Maybe she should leave now, before she became too attached to Dottie, Luke and ranch life.

The thought of leaving brought sadness to her heart. She wanted to stay and make sure Dottie fully recovered.

Luke’s confidence and trust in her judgment about his mother’s care had warmed her. It’d been so long since she’d felt anything but the icy chill of fear, she’d forgotten how nice it was to feel heated from the inside out.

“Faith,” Dottie said, concern evident in her voice. “Honey, are you all right?”

Turning toward the woman propped up against the pillows on the bed, she said, “Yes. Yes, I’m fine.”

She would be fine here on the ranch. Here she was safe. Her paranoia had gotten the better of her earlier. She’d have to be more careful not to let her fear show.

Putting the episode behind her, Faith sat on the edge of the bed and made a conscious effort to concentrate as Dottie explained the basics of knitting.

As Faith cleared the dishes from dinner in Dottie’s room, Dottie touched Faith’s hand and gave a gentle squeeze. “Thank you, my dear. You are an answer to my prayers. You can’t know how grateful I am that you’re here.”

Impulsively, Faith bent and kissed the older woman’s cheek. More than Dottie could know or Faith could explain, being at the Circle C was like living another life. A life infinitely better than her own. “And being here is an answer to my prayers.”

She was determined not to allow any more bouts of paranoia intrude on her peace of mind.

“Faith, why do you seem so sad at times?”

“I’m tired.” That didn’t answer what she’d been asked, but it was the best she could do. She tried to smile past the sudden tightness of her rib cage.

Concern marred Dottie’s brow. “It’s more than that.” Her eyes narrowed shrewdly. “Faith, I’m here if you want to talk.”

The knot tightened at the offer of a confidante. How she wished she had the fortitude to spill her secrets to this kind woman, but Faith wouldn’t risk the Campbells’ safety any more than she had to.

Her throat constricted, making speech difficult. “I appreciate your concern, Dottie. I’m—I’m really just a little worn out.” Worn out in many ways.

Doubt clouded Dottie’s eyes. “You’re probably hungry, as well. You hardly touched your food again at dinner. Why don’t you go down and fix yourself something to eat before you go to bed.”

The thought of food made her stomach roll. Admittedly, the little she’d eaten had been very good. She made a mental note to compliment Reva. “I’ll be fine. It’s hard adjusting to new surroundings.”

“You really should eat more. You’re too thin.”

Faith smiled at the familiar words. Her grandfather had often lamented that she would blow away in a strong wind. “I’ll eat a big breakfast.”

Dottie nodded.

Faith helped Dottie settle back against the pillows. “Can I get you anything?”

“No, dear. Thank you.”

“Then I’ll let you get some rest.” She turned to go.

“Faith?”

“Yes?”

“God is a great listener. He longs for His children to give Him their burdens.”

Faith blinked. “His children?”

Dottie nodded. “He looks at all of us as His children. And as any parent wants to do, He wants to comfort and protect. That’s not to say He’ll rescue us from all our troubles, but He promises to be with us, offering wisdom and guidance.”

The thought of God as a benevolent and loving parent boggled Faith’s mind and opposed everything she’d been taught.

Hadn’t grandfather often claimed that God sat in judgment of each individual and that His righteous wrath would fall upon the heads of those who opposed Him?

A dull ache started at her temple. Was what Dottie said fact or fiction? How did she go about finding the truth? Faith rubbed her eyes.

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry. Here I am yapping away when you need your rest.”

“That’s okay, Dottie.” Faith managed to smile. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Quickly, she left the room.

In the dimly lit hallway, a hand touched Faith’s arm. She gasped. Her heart slammed against her chest. She jerked back. And focused on Luke.

She sagged against the wall. The sudden fear went spiraling through her abdomen where it landed in her stomach with a burning crash. “You scared me.”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to.” He had the grace to look sheepish. “We need to talk.”

A heaviness swept over her, weighing her down. The urge to run and hide streaked through her, but she couldn’t make her feet move. Deep inside she knew her only real option was to stay and face his curiosity. But did it have to be right now?

“Can’t this wait until morning?” she asked.

“No, we need to discuss what happened in the barn and what, exactly, you’re running from.”

The tightness in her chest spread, and her breathing turned shallow. I’m running from the outside world, her mind screamed.

The mere thought of what waited for her out there made her head spin and lights explode in her vision.

“Faith, what’s wrong?”

She heard his voice, heard the concern in his tone. The words echoed inside her head, making the already dull ache grow and sharpen. She really should have eaten more.

Between her low blood sugar, the unexpected fright of moments ago and Luke’s probing, Faith was helpless against the inevitable.

She tried to answer, her mouth opened, but no words formed. The hall grew dim and her vision closed in upon itself while the world faded away.

She heard Luke anxiously call her name.

Luke caught Faith before she crumpled into a heap at his feet. He checked her pulse. The beat steady. The slow rise and fall of her chest showed she was breathing.

“Faith? Faith. Honey, wake up.” Patting her cheeks didn’t seem to help any.

Scooping one arm beneath Faith’s legs and the other under her back, he lifted her. She was soft and light in his arms as he carried her to her room. A faint, pleasing smell of flowers scented her hair.

Trying not to jostle her much, Luke laid her on the bed then sat on the edge and rubbed her hands.

She stirred, her eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened.

Unexpected tenderness grabbed a hold of him. He tucked a lock of blond hair behind her ear, his fingers brushed across her cheek, the skin satin smooth and warm to his touch. Her eyes widened slightly and he withdrew his hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Wh—what happened?”

“You fainted.”

Her teeth pulled at her bottom lip. “I guess I’m more tired than I thought.” She smiled, weakly.

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