Philanthropy, faith, family and money. What was she running from?
A soft knock sounded on the door.
Come in.
The door opened and Faith stepped in. He clicked off the web page.
I dont mean to bother you. Butwell, your mothers asleep and I dont know what I should be doing.
Luke hadnt the foggiest what she should be doing now, either.
She smiled uncertainly.
Luke stood and moved around the desk. Ill show you to your room.
Faith followed him. I think this place is wonderful. So warm and cozy.
My parents have lived here since they were married. I dont think Mom has bought anything new since.
Faith stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Her finger traced a carving in the banister.
Did that when I was ten. Dad just about blew a gasket. He laughed slightly. I can still remember how he lit into me, saying, If you want to carve your name into a piece of wood, theres a whole stack of firewood out back that you can carve up after you split it all.
He sounds like he was a good father.
Yeah. Yeah, he was. Strict, but always fair. Even when we didnt see eye to eye, I never questioned his love.
But his father had questioned his sons love. How many times had Luke turned his back on the advice and instruction his dad offered? Luke would give anything to have that time back, to show his dad how much he loved him.
Thats wonderful, she stated, wistfully.
Did you question your parents love? he asked.
Sadness entered her gaze. My parents were killed when I was eleven.
That must have been tough. Who raised you?
My grandfather.
The one that had a heart attack?
She nodded. He passed on almost two years ago.
Have you been traveling since then?
Her expression became guarded. Wary. No.
She moved away from him to stand beside her suitcases where hed left them in the entryway.
As she bent to pick them up, he said, Here. Allow me.
Taking her bags in hand, he led her upstairs, entered the sewing room and breathed in the scent of gardenias, his mothers favorites, perfuming the air. A dried bouquet of the white blossoms sat atop the dresser. He made a mental note to order fresh ones.
This is lovely. Faith walked in and surveyed the room. She gently brushed a hand along the black sewing machine resting on an old wooden table. Your mothers, I assume.
Yes, Mom loves to sew. Shes made most of her own clothes for years. Luke could remember wanting her to go shopping like other mothers, but Dottie had always been a frugal woman who insisted her own creations were as good as those found in some over-priced dress shop.
I like your mother. Shes nice.
Thanks. She likes you, too. Luke was thankful for that. It would make leaving that much easier.
Walking to the closet door, he put his hand on the knob. Heres a closet. Its yours to use and you can clear out the drawers in the dresser.
Thank you. Youve been so kind.
He acknowledged her gratefulness with a nod. My rooms next door and the bath is across the hall.
Faith blinked and asked, Where does Reva sleep?
She has her own house to go to. Thankfully.
Besides caring for your mother, is there anything else I can do?
You can relax. He thought back to her strange behavior on the way to the ranch and his observation that she didnt want to be seen. Maybe you should tell me what youre running from?
Her eyes got big. ImI dont know what you mean?
Faith, it was obvious you didnt want anyone to see you leave with me. Why?
She looked at her hands. They were shaking. He took them in his, noticing how slender and vulnerable she felt. Tell me this. Are you in trouble with the law?
She lifted her head. No.
He could see the truth in her gaze. Okay. Ill stop pushing for now. But, Faith, if you need to talk, Im here. You can trust me.
Faith nodded, her expression unreadable. Ill go check on Dottie.
The second she left the room, Luke dropped his head on the doorjamb. Great. Now he was offering to be there for her when he knew he would be leaving soon. He shouldnt let himself get tangled up with her. As along as she posed no threat to his mother. He wasnt going to get involved.
He just had to stay strong, remember his goals, and not let himself get diverted from his path. Pushing away from the door, he headed out to visit the llamas and to let God know just how much he needed His strength.
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 hadnt been any sign of Luke, not until dinnertime. Hed 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 wasnt eating with them, Faith noticed hed glanced at her before saying he was going to eat in his office while finishing up some work. Shed been able to eat very little of the meal.
Had she made him rethink hiring her? She hadnt meant to be so obvious in the car. But the fewer people who knew where she was the longer shed be safe. And the longer shed 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 couldnt jump at every sound. Shed 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 fathers passing. Hard physical labor helped get him through the worst of the pain.
When hed first arrived, his father had barely been alive. If only hed come home earlier, Luke thought for the millionth time as he pitched hay into the first stall. Those last few hours together hadnt been enough time to say all the things Luke had wanted to say. He hadnt 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 shouldnt be looking for more reasons to stay.
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 shouldnt 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 Lukes shoulders ache.
At least hed done something right by hiring Faith. For the past three days shed 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 wouldnt 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; hed stood in the exact spot too many times to count. From that vantage point, one could view the cattle grazing and the Three Sisters MountainsFaith, Hope and Charityrising majestically in the distance.
Studying Faiths profile, he wondered, whats your story? A part of him wanted to delve deep and find out what she was hiding from. But hed already decided he wasnt 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 dogs neck. A ridiculous sense of jealousy tore through Luke. He rolled his eyes. You cant be jealous of your dog. But he wouldve given anything to be on the receiving end of Faiths 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 dogs ears. Yes, I have.
Its 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.
Its 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.
Im a good listener. What was he doing? Hed told himself he wasnt going to do this.
She gave him a tentative smile. Thanks, Ill remember that. Actually, I was hoping youd help me get your mother downstairs when you have a chance. Shes been walking around upstairs but shell need help negotiating a flight of stairs. The first time we try, I feel you should be present.
Sure. When I finish here Ill 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 couldnt see the vehicle.
Areare you expecting someone? Faiths voice changed.
Luke heard and saw the fear sweeping over her. No, but peoplefriendsstop 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, youre 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 Faiths palpable apprehension. But how could he protect her when he didnt know what she was afraid of?
A small, panic-born whimper escaped her as a man stepped into view.