Page 50 of Jonathan

Chapter 13

“Darling, your hand!” Leonie exclaimed as he lifted the coffee cup to his mouth.

“It’s nothing.” He clipped. He had started to feel the pain moments after the adrenalin had left him but had refused to take anything for it. In retrospect, he realized that he should have put something on it to ease the swelling.

“I didn’t notice you were hurt…” She inhaled a sharp breath as she left her place at the table to come and take a closer look. “You should have the doctor look at it.”

“It’s nothing,” he repeated. “I was not the one who was shot, and this is self-inflicted.”

Understanding dawned and she carefully schooled the worry from her face. It was business as usual at the ranch. The men were out in their numbers, going about their usual tasks.

Breakfast was being served in the main kitchen on her instructions. She certainly did not want them men fending for themselves, after what had happened yesterday.

But her son was a different matter altogether.

“You cannot blame yourself…”

“Who else is there?” Reining in his temper, he tossed back the coffee and jammed his hat on his head. “The hospital called. Kamilah had a restless night, but she’s sleeping now.” He ran his hand at the back of his neck. “I need a favor.”

“Anything.”

He smiled at her fervency.

“I need to get in touch with her mother and she mentioned a grandfather. As well as her friends. We need to alert thembefore they hear about it in the media. I also need to arrange transportation for them if they need to fly over.”

“Of course, I’ll take care of it.”

He nodded and just stood there in the middle of the room. “I wasn’t there, and she went through all that trauma. I am having a difficult time accepting that she had to go through it all because of me.” He shook his head when she started to speak.

“It’s going to take me a minute to get ahead of it, mother. I almost lost her and that is weighing heavily on me.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “I need to see her, touch her and convince myself that she’s still alive.”

“Then go.” She urged him quietly.

“Yeah.” I just need to deal with some matters, talk to the men and then head on out. I’ll probably be there for a while.”

“Don’t worry about it. We can cope. The sheriff already called and said that there’s no need for you to go in. It’s an open and shut case.”

His expression hardened. “I cannot help but regret that I was not the one who put a bullet in in him. That’s another thing I have to live with.” With that, he turned and walked out of the room.

Helen bustled in as if on cue.

“Master Jonathan has not eaten anything.” She fussed as she stared at the array of food on the sideboard. “And neither have you.”

With a heavy sigh, Leonie went to sit back down and retrieved her cup of coffee. “He has a lot on his mind.”

“A heavy burden to carry with that young woman getting shot.” Her round face was sympathetic as she prepared a plate of fruit and some pastries and put it in front of Leonie.

“He’s in love with her.” She toyed with the grapes, before breaking one off and putting it into her mouth. “And he’s feeling guilty.”

“Nonsense.” Helen retorted briskly. Puring herself a cup, she pulled out a chair. She had work to oversee. The jam making was still in progress and there was a new maid that had been hired to help with the process.

Winter was coming rapidly and that meant they had to check the storage areas and make certain that the occupants of the various cottages were well prepared for the harsh climate.

But her mistress needed a shoulder, and she was going to take the time to offer it. She had seen the young master’s anguish and was helpless to do anything about it.

Master Jonathan was a man now and did not appreciate people shoving themselves in his affairs. When he was a boy, she was able to bandage his bruises and there had been many because he had been an adventurous child! When he was a teen, he had come to her to tell her about his latest crush.

But now he was a man and preferred to face his battles alone. She was hoping and praying that this young woman who was absolutely stunning would survive okay! She was praying to the good Lord that she would see his worth and love him for who he is. Not for his money.

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