Page 17 of Chasing Trouble
Mac eyed her, looking for the right words with two sets of eager ears listening.Was further explanation needed to help her“process”the situation?Repeating himself as if she were a young child learning a new word didn’t come easily to him.Drag up the drawbridge and batten down the hatches was more his style when danger was threatening.He tried again.
“Look, Whitney, I don’t trust those men to leave the area as quickly as I’d like.I can’t leave you and the kids in possible danger—it goes against my instincts,” he insisted.
Her eyes narrowed.“I know what to do, I’m not stupid.I didn’t come out with the shotgun because I knew what was at stake.I got the same feelings about those men that you are having.”
“Then you understand I can’t leave you alone.”
“And you understand that I can’t leave,” she pointed out as if he were the one being stubborn.
This processing thing wasn’t working.Mac debated with himself.He would never get her out of here by force, and it would just upset the kids if he tried.He could have one of his men sleep in the barn and watch the place, but to get word home, he’d have to leave.That wasn’t happening with the possibility of those other men lurking around for a while.They might still be looking for an opportunity to check the place out for themselves.He wasn’t worried about his ranch regarding them, but Whitney’s place was ripe for the picking with a woman and two kids alone.Besides, he didn’t want another man watching over his girl.There were no female chaperones here, and it wouldn’t be proper.
Finally, he made up his mind.“Then I’ll stay here for a few days.Just until I’m sure the danger is past,” he growled.“I’ll sleep in the barn.”He didn’t trust himself to sleep in the house; Whitney was too close.She needed to be safe from him, too.
Whitney nodded warily and then stepped towards the stove.“Okay, so who’s ready for leftovers?”
Chapter 5
It was the Saturdayafter Thanksgiving.There hadn’t been a sign of the two men so far, and Whitney was beginning to relax.She was sitting down to breakfast with Mac to discuss options for the winter.He wanted to get married and be done with it, but she wasn’t ready for that.Barring marriage, he wanted her to close up the house and transfer the animals to his place.They could stay with him until they had word about her father.She’d actually been considering his option, mulling it over in her mind.It would be the thing to do if they were really going to get married.Right?But what if it didn’t work out and they decided they hated each other?Then she’d be stuck there until spring because she knew his sense of responsibility wouldn’t bring her back until the spring thaw.And even if he changed his mind about wanting her, he would be too gentlemanly to put her back in the cabin before the winter was over.
Besides that, what if those men did come back?Everything she’d worked so hard to protect and preserve would be gone or ruined.When her father came back, if he came back, there wouldn’t be much to go home to if she left her home unattended.She would feel like she’d let him down.
When the low rumbling of an engine in the distance sounded in their ears, she froze, her fork loaded with scrambled eggs halfway to her mouth.Could that be her dad’s truck?It was getting louder with each passing second.Who would be coming up here if not for her dad?No one came up here.
Luke and Amelia were staring at her, and she stared back, a feeling of panic sweeping through her as her gaze flashed to Mac.Her stomach threatened to heave its contents.If it were her dad, what would he think?
Mac stared back at her, looking horrified as if the same thoughts had just occurred to him.Suddenly, they all rammed their chairs back and ran for the door.
Whitney yanked the door open and saw that it was her dad’s truck, loaded with all sorts of stuff, pulling up near the front of the house.A mixture of feelings assailed her.Joy that he was all right, anger that he had been gone so long, and last but not least, trepidation at the look on her father’s face when his gaze rose behind her to Mac.She saw him reach for his shotgun off the rack behind him and get out of the truck.
“What are you doing, child?”he growled, advancing menacingly with the shotgun on his arm.“I come home to find you with a man in the house?Is this the way you were raised?”He studied Mac through half lids, glancing from one to the other.
“I...it’s not what it seems, sir,” Whitney stammered.
“I can explain, sir,” Mac cut in, stepping around her to face the big man.
“I’ll deal with you after I’ve greeted my daughter properly,” Daniel replied, pulling Whitney gently into his arms despite his displeasure and holding her close.“I’ve missed you, child.”
