“Don’t preach at me Turnip. I’m in this thing, and I’m not stopping until it’s over, one way or another.” Darcy lifted her dark eyes to his and a light of determination radiated from them.
Blake reached for her, but she turned her back and began walking back toward the narrow break in the fence line that permitted a person to slip onto the path to his home.
A creeping feeling up his spine told Blake that Darcy didn’t want his company right now, and he knew that if he followed her they would only argue once more. He didn’t want to argue with her. He wanted to finish this and let the woman have the peace she deserved.
Keeping an eye on Darcy’s slow progress toward his parent’s house, Blake leaned on the fence once more. They had discussed this issue at length, and though he knew he had a better chance of success with Darcy on his side, he didn’t want to put her in danger again.
“Blake, you got a letter,” a boy of about fifteen trotted toward him on a spotted pony, his dark curls bouncing with each step.
“Thanks Matt,” Blake said, taking the letter from the boy’s hand. Mae and Reese’s twins had never batted an eye at Darcy being in their home, though their curiosity had gotten the better of them once or twice when she was finally able to leave the sick room. “Where’s Madison?”
“She’s helping Fiona in the ranch house today. I think their planning a big family Sunday dinner for tomorrow.”
Blake nodded. He would have to talk to Darcy and prepare her for dealing with the whole family all in one place. Of course she might not want to join them since she preferred keeping to herself. Even convincing her to leave Mae’s place had almost caused a fight. He had wanted her to move down to his parent’s house for her recovery, but she insisted she was better off staying where she was. It was obvious she felt out of place and unwanted at the Broken J.
Darcy was reticent to mingle with the family, and though she had been willing to sit in the living room with Mae, Reese, and their family, she didn’t want to mix with anyone else.
It had taken a visit from Blake’s mother to convince Darcy to move to the house in the pasture. Not only did the house have more room and less residents, it put Blake’s mind at ease to be able to keep an eye on the woman he felt responsible for. He wanted to keep her safe, to protect her not only from Pierce and his gang, but from the trials and condemnation of life.
Somewhere along the way Blake had developed a protectiveness for Darcy that he didn’t totally understand. Perhaps it was because he felt responsible for her recent injury, or perhaps it was something he couldn’t quite explain yet. Either way it was going to be hard to convince her to join the family for dinner.
Watching his younger cousin trot away toward the ranch house, Blake pulled out a pocket knife and neatly slit the top of the envelope open.
The missive was exactly what he had been expecting. They were running out of time.
***
“Darcy, are you sure you won’t come to dinner?” Blake asked one last time as he and his parents prepared to go to the big ranch house. The large two-story structure had been the main living quarters for the family for decades and the tradition of big dinners in the kitchen or on the wrap-around-porch had been set long ago.
“No, I’m tired and want to rest.” Darcy stood by the window in the spare room gazing out across the prairie. “You go on, and don’t worry about me.” She turned offering a kind smile. “Besides, sometimes a girl just likes to be alone.”
Blake nodded, turning away as a sense of disappointment washed over him. He wanted Darcy to see that his family would accept her. That no matter where she came from or what her life had been up to this point she would be welcome. Pausing in the door he turned again to address the quiet room.
“I got a letter last night.”
Darcy turned meeting his troubled gaze.
“The gang hit a bank in Laramie this time, two guards were killed.”
“We need to find them,” Darcy said. “We need to stop Pierce and those other men.”
Blake stepped into the room. “You aren’t ready yet.”
“I think I am,” Darcy bit back. “We’ll talk about it tonight. I have an idea of where they might have gone if they were in Laramie last. Go join your family and we’ll talk later.”
This time when Blake stepped out of the room he didn’t turn back but headed for the front door where his father handed him his hat with a sad smile.
Chapter 17
“It’s about time you two got here,” Meg chided, a bright smile on her lips as Clay and Blake stepped out onto the back porch of the big ranch house. “We’ve been cooking since yesterday and everything will be ready soon.”
“Clay, Blake.” Hank Ballard waved, lifting a beefy hand, greeting the two men as they made their way to the table. Over the years, the big man’s hair had started to gray but he looked every bit as powerful as when he had first arrived at the Broken J.
“You two sit down,” Fiona, her silver streaked curls straining at their pins, hustled to the table, placing a massive bowl of potatoes amidst the rest of the piping dishes already there. “We’re almost ready to eat, then after we’ll have a reading and prayer.”
Clayton slipped onto the bench seat next to his brother-in-law Will. “Where’s Katie?”
“She’ll be along,” Will grinned, nodding to Blake as he took a seat. “The women have been cooking up a storm to impress your friend. I take it you couldn’t convince her
