Page 4 of Chasing Trouble
“I guess we might be orphans, sir,” Luke finally admitted bravely.“Our mom died last spring, and our dad left us to find work in the city.But he hasn’t ever come back, so Whitney takes care of us.”
“That will do, Luke,” Whitney added firmly.“Why don’t you take that turkey to the barn.I’ll start some water boiling.”As Luke headed out the door, she lifted her chin as she stared at Mac, daring him to refute her words.
Mac didn’t say anything, already making plans in his head.They could have the turkey; he had plenty more.It was the principle of the thing that bothered him the most.But after seeing the state they seemed to be in, his protective instincts had kicked in big time.When he didn’t object, Whitney took off her thin denim jacket and hung it on a peg by the door, and then turned to face him once again.
“Now that you know what’s going on, would you mind leaving?”she asked with exaggerated politeness.
Bold little brat.
No apology for stealing his turkey—and no remorse for doing so.Then again, the weight of Amelia on his knee reminded him of her reasons.He could make allowances for that.
“Why did you lie to me?”Mac asked just as politely, watching her face.He could see her womanly outline now that she had shed the oversized jacket.Her red plaid shirt had certainly seen many washings, and the red long johns beneath the shirt were evident in the collar opening.Her shirt was tucked into a baggy pair of jeans, but he could still see the shapely form of her hips.No, she wasn’t a child, but she wasn’t much out of the schoolroom either, he would bet.
Something about that face and eyes entranced him, though, those freckles dashing saucily along her small nose and the blue eyes that defied him so readily.She was chewing defiantly on her lower lip as she brazened it out.He could almost see the wheels turning in her little head as she tried to think of a way to make him leave willingly.
Not going to happen.
“You gonna ‘pank Witty?”The innocent question came from his lap, and he looked down at the cherub sitting so trustingly on his knee.
“Do you think I should?”he asked, amused at the question.
The little head was cocked as she gazed earnestly up at him.“Witty ‘pankedmefor lying.”
Amusement bubbled up in his breast.“Did she now?”
The little head bobbed vigorously up and down, and Whitney’s face went scarlet with embarrassment.“That’s enough, Amelia.This is different—you hush now.”
“You did!”Amelia accused her indignantly, and Whitney frowned in disapproval at the child.
Privately, Mac thought “Witty” needed a good spanking, but he would reserve that for some time when they were alone.He lifted Amelia from his knee.“Why don’t you go check on Luke and make sure he is taking proper care of your dinner for tomorrow.Okay, angel?”
He patted her bottom and watched as she put on her coat and went to find her brother.He frowned at the thin jacket she put on—another one not nearly heavy enough for a winter in the Ozarks.
When she had gone out the door of the little cabin, he turned to Whitney.“Now then, would you care to explain exactly what the hell you think you are doing up here alone with these kids?You’re not much more than a kid yourself.”
“I’m eighteen,” Whitney replied hotly, “not that it’s any of your business.I’ve been doing just fine so far.”
Mac's eyebrows shot up.“You’ve been living off my land.”
“You’ve got plenty enough to spare,” she scoffed.
“That doesn’t make it okay to steal.”
A flash of hurt shot across her face before her lips tensed and her expression froze in disdain.“I don’t steal.I’ve done what I had to do to take care of Luke and Amelia.And I’ll keep doing what I have to.”
“You’re lying,” Mac replied, running his hand down his black beard and studying her.“You’re not eighteen, are you?”
She hesitated, picking at some lint on the faded shirt.“I’ll be eighteen in February,” she grudgingly admitted.“That’s only a few months away.I’ll make it until then.Once I’m eighteen, I can go into Bolton and find a job and a place to raise Luke and Amelia.”She hesitated a moment and then went on with a fierce frown.“And by then, no one can take them away from me or split us up.”
At last, Mac understood the full scope of her fears.“I see,” he murmured.He stood up and walked over to her, looking down into her wary blue eyes.“You can’t spend a winter up here alone, Whitney.It’s far too dangerous.You’d need a full supply of firewood, food, and ammunition against predators, not to mention other things.You need to think, girl.You can’t do it, even if I let you poach and steal from me.You wouldn’t be able to in the dead of winter with six feet of snow—and more at times—up to your butt.Hell, over your head, as small as you are.”
