Grace moved forward, testing the new crutch. A tear rolled down her face, and her smile grew. The breath caught in Levi’s throat. She was the loveliest thing he’d ever seen.
“It’s perfect,” she whispered. “Thank you.” She stopped in front of him, and her smile faltered. Their eyes met.
“What’s wrong?” Levi’s forehead scrunched.
“What are your intentions, Levi?” she whispered.
His heart skipped a beat, and sunk to his gut. What was she asking? She couldn’t think he was expecting payment in the form she’d assumed the first time.
“Intentions?”
“With Rose and Andy,” she elaborated. “Are you planning to take us back to Elk Lodge?”
A sigh of relief escaped him that she hadn’t assumed the worst of him again.
“What are your plans, Grace?” he countered, instead of answering directly. “What else are you going to do other than return to town? There’s a reward out for your sister’s safe return.”
A voice inside his head nudged him to suggest to her that she could stay with him. His forehead wrinkled at the unexpected thought. What the hell was he thinking? What would he do with a woman, a young girl, and a boy here in the high country? There was no other option for Grace but to take the kids back to town.
Grace reached for his arm, her grip firm. Her eyes were round as saucers when she glanced up at him.
“Please don’t take us back to Elk Lodge. The snow’s nearly melted. We can leave on our own. You said yourself you have no use for money, so why would you want that reward?”
Levi glanced at her hand on his arm, then into her pleading eyes. If he never again had to see such utter fear and despair as what he saw there now, it would be too soon. His jaw tightened. What she was asking was ludicrous. She couldn’t fend for herself and those kids out in these mountains alone.
“Grace, I ain’t looking for reward money, but you’ll die out there. Andy and Rose will die. You have no provisions, no weapons. How do you expect to survive?”
She shook her head. “I don’t plan to stay in the mountains, but I can’t go back to Elk Lodge. I’ll take the kids to another town, and I’ll find work. That’s been my plan all along.”
The door to the cabin opened, and Rose walked in, carrying a bouquet of flowers. Grace dropped her hand away from his arm, and took a hasty step back. Rose stopped, glancing from him to Grace, then to the crutch in Grace’s hand. Her eyes widened, and she smiled, looking rather satisfied about something.
“I found some flowers down by the spring that were poking through some of the snow. I picked them for your cabin, Mr. Colter. I think they’ll brighten up the place, don’t you think?”
The girl held the flowers out to him. Levi stared at her. Was he supposed to take them from her?
“We could put them in one of your pewter mugs you’ve got sitting on the mantle. That would make a nice vase. They’ll keep a few days, and then I can pick more.”
“Rose.” Grace’s tone held a warning edge.
Rose moved past her sister and Levi to the mantle over the fireplace, and reached for the mug she’d indicated. She placed the flowers in it, and set it in the middle of the table, then spun around and beamed a bright smile.
“When Andy comes back with the water bucket, I’ll add some water so they keep longer.” She smiled at Levi. “Don’t you think this makes the place look homey? We could even add more flowers, and Grace could sew some lace curtains for the windows.”
“I’m sure Mr. Colter doesn’t want lace curtains, Rose,” Grace said quickly.
The corners of Levi’s mouth twitched when Grace shot him an apologetic look.
“I ain’t never had no use for flowers or lace before,” he grumbled, eyeing the flannel curtains that used to be one of Buck’s shirts, which the girl had hung in front of the window already.
“But it would look really nice,” Rose continued enthusiastically. She walked up to her sister, and touched the new crutch.
“You made this for Grace?” She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with happiness. “What a thoughtful gift, don’t you think, Grace? Why, it’s almost as if –”
Before the girl could finish her thought, the door pushed open, and Andy charged in, breathing hard.
“There’s a rider coming,” the boy gulped. “I saw him through the trees a ways down the hill.”
Grace’s head shot up. She looked nearly frantic. On impulse, Levi reached for her arm, and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Take Rose and Andy to the back room, and don’t make a sound,” he said evenly. What the hell was he doing? The words had come out before he’d even had time to think.
Grace nodded. The fear in her eyes eased, but didn’t disappear completely. She held his gaze, and a hesitant smile formed on her lips. She didn’t have to say a word. The strong connection that passed from her eyes to his left him nearly weak in the knees, and he read her as easily as if she’d spoken out loud. She wasn’t afraid for herself, but for her sister. Eventually, he’d get to the bottom of why she was so convinced that Rose might be in danger if she returned to the people who wanted to adopt her.
“Go, and I’ll find out who’s coming for a visit.”
Grace hobbled to the table, and quickly removed the shirt and sewing supplies, then ushered Andy and Rose behind the burlap into the other room. Rose darted back into the room and snatched up the pewter cup with her flowers, making the table look oddly empty. Levi stared after them.
That feeling of protectiveness came over him again. He hadn’t gone in search of Maggie right away after she’d been adopted, until after it was too late. Grace had been looking for her sister for a long time, and had finally found her. She had a determination and a deep love for her sister that he admired. He shared a common past with Grace, and could relate. Whatever it was that drew him to her so strongly refused to let go, no matter how many times he told himself he liked being alone.
The sound of hoof beats outside became louder. The mule brayed, and his horse whinnied in greeting. Levi moved to the front door. He glanced over his shoulder. Grace stood by the other room, leaning heavily on her new crutch. Their eyes connected. Levi tore his gaze away and left the cabin. It was crystal clear what he needed to do.
Chapter Ten
“Stay behind the bunk, and don’t make a sound.”
Grace looked from Andy to Rose, until they both nodded. She moved to the burlap covering that separated the two rooms, and pushed it aside. Her hand trembled, and she held tight to her new crutch as she hobbled forward. The soft rabbit fur lining under her arm made it so much easier and more comfortable to bear full weight on that side.
Despite her pounding heart, a sense of safety doused her entire body. No one had ever made something special for her. Completely surprised that Levi would even think of her comfort and make a new crutch for her, one that was fitted perfectly to her height, had left her too tongue-tied to say anything other than ‘thank you’.
Her wariness and mistrust slipped a little more with each day that had passed since she’d agreed to return to the cabin with Levi. Their conversations had been both guarded and reserved. Apparently he didn’t want to talk about himself any more than she wanted to give away information about herself and Rose. The less he knew about them, the better. Since their arrival, he’d spent most of his time outdoors as the weather had permitted, working on the shelter behind the cabin for the horse and mule, and going off into the woods.
Today had been the first time she’d openly asked him not to take her and the kids back to Elk Lodge. She smirked. She hadn’t asked. She’d nearly broken down, and would have dropped to her knees in front of him, and begged him not to turn them in. The look in his eyes just before he’d walked out of his cabin had given her hope.
He’s so different from all other men.
Grace shook off the warm sensation that made her tingle all over. Levi Colter didn’t smell of cigar smoke, or whiskey. His scent reminded her of the
forest. His eyes were warm and gentle. He made no demands on her other than to stay warm and keep the kids safe. She glanced down, running her fingers along the smooth wood of the new crutch she held in her hand. He’d made a gift, especially for her.
If her past and current circumstances were different, Levi was the kind of man she could see herself attracted to. A chill passed down her spine. Not the kind of chill that she’d felt in the past when a man came to call, when fear and revulsion consumed her. When Levi had touched her arm moments ago, or when he’d helped her from the horse the other day, her body’s reaction to him had been anything but disgust.
You can’t have feelings for a man. Not now. Not ever.
Even if a man were to show interest in her as something other than an acquisition for a few hours, she could never reciprocate, could she? She was soiled and dirty goods, and the shame of what she’d endured a few years ago could never be erased. No man would ever want her, after knowing what she’d done. Not that she’d ever expected to have warm feelings for a man.
It wasn’t your choice. You were forced into that kind of life.
Grace moved toward the window. She blinked, and shook her head. She hated men. Hated what they had done to her. Even her father had used her, then abandoned her and Rose when they were little.
Levi Colter strode toward a man on horseback, holding out his hand in greeting. How could she even think of harboring feelings for him? Feelings that went beyond gratitude.
The man on the horse dismounted, and shook Levi’s hand. Although the stranger was much taller than the woodsman, Levi stood with his shoulders back, and his stance was that of a man full of confidence, someone who wouldn’t back down from anything. The other man rode a fine horse, and his clothes looked well-tailored, although they were working clothes. His hair was cut short and neat, as opposed to Levi’s shoulder-length hair. Grace’s eyes darted from one man to the other, but her gaze was drawn to the woodsman. Such a contrast between these two men.
She moved closer to the window, taking care to stay out of sight. Levi’s voice drifted through the thin panes.
“Hawley. What brings you back into the high country?”
The other man pulled his hat from his head. “Just came to see if you had any luck picking up those kids’ tracks. I sure haven’t seen anything, and Cade had to stay close to home to tend to his wife.”
Grace held her breath, and fisted her hand against her pounding chest.
Please, Levi. Please, don’t turn us in.
“I followed the creek where you said you’d seen some tracks, but I had to turn back the next day because of the storm.”
Grace relaxed slightly at Levi’s words, but she leaned heavily against the wooden wall, staying out of sight.
“Yeah, that was quite some weather the last couple of weeks, even in the valley. I can only imagine what it must have been like up here,” the other man agreed. He shook his head, and glanced at the ground. “If those kids came this way, I doubt we’ll find them alive.”
“Not very likely anyone would have survived that kind of weather without adequate shelter,” Levi agreed.
“There were men who rode to Anaconda, Deer Lodge, and Missoula, but everyone’s come up empty handed.”
Levi ran a hand through his hair. He appeared to be looking the other man squarely in the eye. “I ain’t never heard of a manhunt such as this for a missing orphan. Seems odd to me, a farmer putting up a reward large enough to have men searching clear to Missoula for a couple of missing kids.”
The man named Hawley studied him, then nodded. “Apparently the girl, Rose Jennings, was brought here specifically to be adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Perkins. They were anxiously awaiting her arrival.”
Levi’s frown was unmistakable, even from a distance.
“Any tracks are long gone at this point.”
The visitor turned to his horse. He stepped into the stirrup, and swung up into the saddle, then leaned forward.
“We got some new information that the kids might be with a young woman.”
“A woman?” Levi echoed. He sounded genuinely surprised, and Grace’s eyes widened.
Hawley nodded. “The farmer told Father Aldren, the priest in charge of the orphans, that he’d seen her earlier that day in town, and that she was talking to a bunch of the kids, including Rose Jennings.”
Grace gnashed her teeth. Someone had lied. She’d been nowhere near Rose while they were in town, and she’d made sure to stay out of sight. Her stomach churned. Someone knew she’d come for her sister. Cold fear raced down her spine. Harlan Randall had tracked her down.
“Why would that make her suspicious of kidnapping? Surely a lot of folks talked to the orphans.”
“The priest said he’d had trouble with her in the past. She’s helped a couple of other young girls run off as far away as Ogden, but no one’s ever been able to apprehend her. He even said there were rumors that she killed a man somewhere outside of Denver.”
“Denver?” Levi’s voice rose in disbelief.
Hawley shook his head, and straightened in the saddle. “Strange story, I know. I don’t know what to make of it. I’m just concerned for the safety of those kids. I won’t keep you any longer. Let me or Cade know if you see or hear anything.”
He turned his horse, and headed back into the forest in the direction of the valley.
Grace moved away from the window. She hobbled toward the back room, but the cabin door opened before she could get there. She spun around on her good leg, and faced Levi, who stared at her through narrowed eyes.
“Maybe it’s time you told me what’s really going on, Grace,” he said quietly, closing the door behind him. He glanced toward the window. “I take it you heard that conversation.”
Grace swallowed. She took a step back, but stopped and squared her shoulders.
“I’ve told you the truth.”
She hadn’t lied. She’d simply left out certain things; things that Levi didn’t need to know. A sinking feeling swept through her. After what Levi had just done, not turning Rose over to the other man, could she trust him? Grace clamped her lips together as another sensation caressed her all over like a gentle summer breeze. She was starting to have feelings for this man, who now looked at her with the same mistrust in his eyes that she’d bestowed upon him until now.
“Seems to me you haven’t told me everything. If you want my help, I can’t offer it to you if I don’t know what’s going on. Something’s got you running scared, and it ain’t your fear that Rose might get adopted by a farmer and his wife.”
Grace glanced over her shoulder. Rose and Andy were still in the other room. Rose didn’t need to hear this conversation, and how much should she tell Levi? He’d just said he would help her, but what, exactly, did that entail?
Before she could say another word, Levi reached for her elbow, and ushered her outside. He didn’t stop until they were a good distance away from the cabin.
“Speak freely,” he said, when he faced her. “Trace Hawley, the man who was just here, is an upstanding citizen in the valley. He doesn’t buy into tall tales. Why would he say you killed someone?”
Grace looked into the blue eyes of the man who’d worked his way into her heart without even trying. She hadn’t even realized it until just a few minutes ago, when he’d stood between his cabin and the visitor, and hadn’t turned her or the kids over to him. He hadn’t made demands on her, had been respectful, protected her, and had, without a doubt, saved her and the kids’ lives the day he went after them.
She smiled inwardly. He didn’t even know how he affected her, or what his kind actions were doing to change her firm belief, after all these years, that all men were untrustworthy. She mentally shook her head. Trust wasn’t something she’d ever given freely. Why did it seem so easy to give to this man?
She took in a long breath. Levi Colter made her feel things she’d sworn she’d never feel for a man, and she had to put a stop to it. She relied on herself, had done so sinc
e she was ten years old, and probably even before then. The one time she’d put her trust in anyone, when she’d gone with the people who had ‘adopted’ her, she’d been betrayed. She didn’t need these feelings for a man, which only left her weak and indecisive.
Grace straightened in front of him.
“All right,” she said stiffly. “I killed a man who mistreated me in a bordello outside of Denver. If I hadn’t shot him, he might have killed me.”
Levi stared at her, the look on his face momentarily blank and unreadable. The cold fury that blazed in his eyes steadily grew, and stopped her from continuing. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she took a step backward. Memories came rushing back, and she was forced to relive them.
She blinked rapidly several times, and fought back the tears. She wasn’t going to give in and cry, or let Levi see that she had a weakness other than her leg.
“What were you doing in a Denver bordello?”
Grace leaned forward to hear his words. He spoke in such a low tone, she’d barely heard him. It sounded more like a threat than a question. She gritted her teeth, and met his hard stare. Any silly notions she might have harbored, that this man would keep her safe, seemed to vanish in that stare.
She straightened as best as she could while leaning on her crutch. What a difference now in those eyes from when he’d presented it to her as a gift. He’d only asked the question because he’d wanted to hear her say out loud why she’d be in a bordello, and he already hated her for it. Grace steeled herself. It was better this way. Better to get it out in the open, and then leave at the first opportunity.
“The people who adopted me took me there to work,” she said evenly. There was no reason to tell him about Harlan Randall, or that the couple had worked for him. “It’s what would have happened to Rose, if I hadn’t taken her away before they did.”
Levi’s brows drew together, but his eyes remained as angry as before.
In His Arms: Blemished Brides Book 3 Page 8