Page 85 of Guarded Hearts

Sputtering, he moved toward her and clasped her by the upper arms, staring at her face.

She tried for a smile. It was difficult when she kept seeing the bundles of letters Faye pulled out of the place where she’d hidden them away for so many years. She could be upset with her housekeeper too, for not telling her sooner. But propriety had kept Faye silent until the time when she no longer could be.

“Why are you here, Dad? I didn’t expect you.”

“I called. You never answered.”

Her hand fluttered up, and she gestured to her face. “I had an accident.” She sliced her gaze to Carson. An unspoken request in that look.

Don’t tell him a thing.

Carson gave her the faintest nod in return.

“Are you going to tell me what happened to you?” her father demanded.

She held back a sigh. “Let’s go inside and sit down so we can talk.”

The house that always felt so cozy now felt shadowed. Even though all the blinds and curtains were open and sunlightstreamed in, and there was a beautiful vista through every pane of glass overlooking the ranch, it felt darkened by the events that took place here.

“Do you know where Faye’s at? She isn’t answering her phone either.” Her dad led the way to the living room and took up his favorite armchair, leaving the sofa for her and Carson.

When they sat down close, touching from shoulders to thighs, a ruddy flush crept up her father’s neck through the open collar of his polo shirt.

Carson reached for her hand, and she twined her fingers with his, staring straight at her father as she staked her claim on the man she loved.

“Faye is at the Malones’ ranch. She and I have been staying there since my accident,” Layne began.

Concern replaced the annoyance in his expression. “What kind of accident, honey? What happened?”

“I tripped on something in the barn and fell. I hit my head. I have a concussion, but I’m feeling much better now. And my face is healing.”

Her father spread his hands. “I’m relieved to hear that, but why didn’t you call me?” He pinned his stare on Carson. “Why didn’tyoucall me?”

“Layne told me she’d handle it. She’s a grown woman who can make her own choices.” He didn’t look tense. His tone came out calm and even. Layne knew Carson was masking his anger, most likely for her benefit.

She lightly pressed on his fingers, and he squeezed hers in return.

Her father looked between them. “I see that you’ve found each other again.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. It was a mixture of sadness and anger at what her father had done. The other partof her—the one that had spent hours tied to a bed imprisoned by her stalker—was happy that she was getting a chance to see her father again.

If she’d learned anything, it was that time could heal wounds, not to mention talking things through.

Before she could say any of this, Carson’s voice gritted over her senses. “You better make things right with her.”

That redness crawled into her father’s cheeks.

“I know about the letters, Dad. You never gave Carson a chance. You should have. You made a big mistake.”

“Layne.”

Carson tightened his hold on her hand. “We lost so much time. But I plan to make up for it every day of my life.”

She met her father’s gaze. His eyes were hazel too, though a bit more brown than the green that was prominent in hers. “He’s a good guy, Dad. That’s what you should want for me. Not money. Not status. You need to accept Carson if you want me—and future grandkids—in your life.”

His eyes widened, his silver brows shooting high.

She had one more condition to add. “Or if you want me to stay in the family business.”

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