Page 69 of The Outlaw and the Heir

I cleared my throat. “Good. Then, from now on, when she wants to go out of the house, your first job is to make sure she's got someone with her to keep her safe. Doesn't matter what else you're doing."

"Escorting isn't something I've done before...but I think I can handle it," he said with a chuckle. "After all, these men might have grown to like me, but they'll never forget where I came from. That's how it works."

A jolt of discomfort shot through me as I wondered if he was thinking the same thing about me. What made it worse was that I had to wonder if he was wrong. My attitude toward him had changed drastically in so many ways, but could I blame him for wondering if perhaps I still saw him as a troublemaker who would betray me in the end?

Yet I was still trusting him with my sister's well-being and life.

God above, when had my life grown so complicated?

SAMUEL

I had to admit waiting in the house was better than waiting outside. Whoever designed the house had known what they were doing because it felt like no matter where you were, it was several times cooler than outside. It probably had something to do with the airflow, but considering architecture wasn't something I was knowledgeable about, I just had to trust whoever had designed it.

My attention was drawn toward the hallway behind me when I heard the soft shuffle of footsteps. Hipolita had made her way in, a broom in hand and a rag in the other. She stopped when she saw me and smiled. “Now, isn't this a nice surprise?"

"I was waiting in the same spot last week," I said with a shake of my head. Admittedly, it had been nice of Elizabeth to insist that if I was going to wait for her to get ready for her weekly excursion, then I should at least wait in the house and out of the sun. Her father, who had been in earshot when she'd said it, didn't seem to have agreed with the idea but had said nothing.

Much like I didn't know how the conversation between Ambrose and his father to propose the idea had gone, neither did I know what the elder Isaiah thought about his daughter's insistence on having things her way. Considering she wasn'tspoiled, it probably didn't come from expectation on her part, and he didn't seem like the spoiling kind. If I had to guess, it would be that there were actually similarities between father and daughter, though it was sometimes hard to see as she buried a lot of those traits under the more expected feminine virtues.

I thought it was good that she had been educated the same as her brothers because, from what I could see, she was as eager to learn as she was adept. Not a lot escaped her notice, and she had a memory made from etched stone. I'd heard her talk to her husband the week before when I'd waited for her, and she certainly knew what was what when it came to business and finances. If I were her father, I'd be seriously considering breaking the mold and putting my daughter in charge of some things.

"But it's always apleasantsurprise seeing you," Hipolita chuckled, tossing the rag over her shoulder. "Used to be I'd think Ambrose wouldn't let you out of his sight."

"Probably convinced the big bad outlaw was going to run away if he wasn't watching me," I said, crossing my leg by setting my ankle over my knee. "But don't worry, he still keeps an eye on me."

Generally, it was my ass he was watching, or other parts of my body, though he didn't think I noticed. Sadly for dear, bashful Ambrose, I had spent most of my romantic life learning to pick up on when other men...appreciated me. Despite how much he prided himself on keeping things close to his chest, he was about as subtle in checking me out as a kick to the head. The only reason people didn't notice was because they’d learned to accept his stony expression and because the average person wouldn't think someone like Ambrose would check out another man.

To call the intense staring at my body merely checking out would be doing a disservice to what he was actually doing.Despite having had me as an outlet for what had been years of pent-up stress and sexual nothingness, Ambrose still acted like an amorous schoolboy. Not that I minded in all fairness, it was always nice to feel wanted, but coming from someone like Ambrose? Someone who tried his hardest to hide what was going on in his head and saw the sort of weakness he had for me carnally as a bad thing? That was almost as good as the sex.

Almost, but not quite.

"Very close eye," I added unnecessarily, enjoying the private joke with myself. Ambrose was tolerant of the secret we were keeping, but I went one step further and enjoyed it. To the surprise of no one who knew even part of my history, a little bit of rule-breaking was fun. The more scandalous, the better. Sleeping with the ranch owner's son under everyone's nose was scandalous rule-breaking and easily enjoyed...so long as it stayed a secret because I enjoyed the sensation of keeping a secret as well.

Hipolita sighed, shoving her fists against her hips. “That boy has always been such a busybody. If I could get him to understand that he doesn't need to fret over every little thing, he might find a bit more joy in life."

"According to Elizabeth, he's been finding it lately," I said with a shrug. "Though, if this is him enjoying himself more, I'd hate to think what he was like when he was miserable."

Hipolita fixed a firm stare in my direction. “Now you mind yourself, Samuel. That man has had plenty in his life to worry about, just like you have, just a different kind. He's not a bad man."

"Nor did I say he was," I cocked my head, winking. "Just particularly grumpy."

Her hard stare softened after she snorted. “No accountin' for where he gotthatfrom."

"Hmm, you know, I can't think of anyone who might have passed that particular behavior down," I said wryly. "Perhaps that’s a mystery man was never made to solve."

"Perhaps it needs a woman's touch."

"You know, in many cases, I’d agree with you. All too often, people don't see just how good an investigator women can be, and that includes women themselves. But I think it's fairly safe to say there's no need to wonder who he got that from. That is unless his mother was particularly dour. He isn't particularly fond of talking about her."

"Why would he be?"

"I didn't say it wasn't understandable."

Hipolita sighed. “She was a lovely woman, that much I can tell you."

"And nothing more than that," I surmised with a smile. "Your loyalty, like much about you, is admirable."

She laughed at that. “Well, she was a big part of why."

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