Page 6 of Suspicion

“Listen.” He lowered himself to her eyeline, suppressing the urge to laugh as she recoiled and almost slid down the side of the tree. “I understand this is strange for you.” He was sure that was an understatement. Ella was about to discover that dear old Dad had bartered her in exchange for a loan extension.

“What do you want with me?” It appeared to be taking every ounce of her courage not to burst into tears as he knelt beside her.

“You’re coming with me.” Hadn’t he already told her that?

“Wh-what? Where?” Her focus flitted around him as if a cozy cottage was going to materialize from thin air.

Tucker had news for her. His cabin was miles away from where they were and could only be reached on foot.

“Back to my place.” Turning, he stared in the direction he’d come. If he started the journey now, he’d have them back by supper time, though with no one at home and no time to hunt, menu options would be limited. Perhaps he’d start work on the pie he’d made. His stomach growled at the idea.

“Your place!” She edged away from him as far as the sleeping bag allowed. “Look, I appreciate I might not like the answer to this question, but why do you want to take me back to your place? Are you going to hurt me?”

Hurt her? His gaze drilled into her flustering face.

“I’ve no plans to hurt you.” Not unless her father reneged on their deal. “But I do need you to cooperate.”

“I…” She exhaled with apparent exasperation. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s your father.” He might as well get straight to the point.

“What about him?” The crease in her otherwise flawless brow deepened.

“He owes me.”

Time suspended as he watched the pieces of the puzzle fall into place in her mind. Tucker swore he saw the actual moment she started to comprehend her true position.

“My father owes you money?” Her jaw tightened as the blood drained from her face.

“That’s right.”

She was actually more attractive than he’d given her credit for, although her new ashen complexion wasn’t especially flattering.

“He offered you as an indemnity.” Rising to his feet, he glanced at the sky. The morning was slipping away. He’d need to get them moving soon, but he was keen to see how she’d react to her predicament.

Tucker knew from experience that betrayal wasn’t an easy cross to carry, and there were few greater treacheries than exploiting your child for your own benefit. The way she dealt with the next few minutes would tell him a lot about the woman he’d agreed to babysit.

“What the hell?” She gazed into the distance between the trees, her mouth parting. “How could he do this?”

“Because he’s a spineless piece of sputum.” It was the kindest description of Alexander Bennett that Tucker could muster.

“Oh God.” Her hands quivered as she hunched over. “I can’t believe this.”

“I bet.” Tucker had never been one for family, but he couldn’t imagine how he’d have felt in Ella’s place.

“What will you do with me?” She blinked away tears as her gaze rose to meet his.

“Do with you?”

“Yes,” she squeaked.

“I haven’t thought.”

That much was true. Tucker had only got as far as stocking up on firewood and ensuring there was enough meat to feed the two of them. Even though Bennett had indicated a longer stay, his plans didn’t stretch much beyond the next few days.

“Then just let me go.” She pulled in a breath.

“I can’t.” Wasn’t she listening to him? Ella would have to learn to pay attention if this new arrangement was going to work.

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