Page 10 of Cowboys & Protective Ways

His instinct to get defensive reared its ugly head. He opened his mouth and held up a finger. He was nothing like the people she knew. He could practically guarantee her being here meant being one hundred times safer. He clamped his mouth shut. The only way he’d be able to convince her would be with his actions. “You’re right.”

For once she looked surprised. “What?”

“You shouldn’t trust anyone. Not even me.” He turned on his heel and continued down the hall toward a set of stairs.

She hurried after him. “You’re kidding, right? You spent the whole car ride here convincing me that this was my best option for survival. Now you’re telling me that I shouldn’t trust you?” Her voice was tinged with anxiety.

He stopped suddenly and she bumped into him. Ian faced her. Jessica tilted her chin to look up at him and stepped back. Her wide blue eyes blinked once. He took a measured breath and released it slowly. “I’m not saying youcan’ttrust me. I’m saying you’re in this situation because you trusted the wrong guy.”

She gasped and her face flushed. “Howdareyou. I didn’t ask you to bring me here. In fact, I’m not sure I even want to stay. It’s not like you can babysit me every second of every day. What if I sneak off and call the sheriff myself?”

Ian held up his hand. “You’re completely right.” He sighed. “Look, it’s going to be a rough couple of days. I don’t think the gravity of the situation has hit you completely. I’ve invited you here to keep you safe, and I’ve offered to help you figure things out. But I still have work to do around here. The fact of the matter is that this is a busy ranch. I guess it’s up to you to decide what you’re going to do and who you’re going to trust.” Great. He probably just single-handedly undid every good point he’d made in convincing her to stay. Shaking his head, he headed for the stairs again. “It’s late and I’m going to bed. You can do what you want.”

He trudged up the wooden staircase. It was wider than a usual one, and the railing curved with the stairs as it ascended to the second floor. A gray rug on each step served as traction and decoration. But after hearing Jessica point out how well-off he’d been his entire life, that’s all he could see.

A twinge of embarrassment settled in the pit of his stomach. Every single generation in his family had worked hard to build up the Baker name. He’d learned real fast that the food on the table was put there due to hard work. But he’d never worried about not having it.

With each step he took to the top of the stairs, his stomach sank lower. How was Jessica supposed to trust him when she couldn’t relate to him? On top of that, it wasn’t likely she’d consider him anything but a patron from her diner. Tucker’s death would finally register, and she’d be coping with that loss. Life as she knew it had turned upside down.

He was fooling himself if he thought there was even a slim chance they’d start a relationship after this. His jaw tightened with the realization. They were from two different worlds, and he wouldn’t blame her if she wanted nothing to do with him, especially after the way he refused to take her back to the diner.

At any given moment, she could pick up their ancient phone and call from their landline. He couldn’t keep an eye on her every second of every day. Already his body sagged against itself. His bed sounded better and better with each step he took.

The soft sound of shuffling feet and a hand trailing along the banister pricked at his ears. She’d followed him. Well, duh. Where else would she go this late? Even she must understand the absurdity of calling the sheriff this late at night. Sure, they’d come. But at what cost? She’d lose sleep and so would everyone here.

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he reached the top of the staircase and turned left down the hall. More pictures adorned the wall. A lamp glowed at the end of the hallway. It sat on an antique table in front of a window. Along the hall were a few doors. The left side of the second floor contained a few guest rooms, while the right side housed the men of the family.

Ian headed all the way down to the room on the end. It had the best views in the morning. With an east-facing window, she’d get one of the best views of the sunrise. He reached for the old brass knob and gave it a slight turn before pushing the door open. His hand trailed up the wall and flicked on the light before he stepped inside.

Jessica entered, her gaze bouncing from the queen-size bed to an old white dresser and vanity, then landing on a beautiful, handcrafted rocking chair. Her eyes met Ian’s once before she moved past him to get a better look.

“This chair is amazing.” Her fingers glided along the armrest and up to the back. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“My dad made it for my mom when they found out she was pregnant with Sean.”

The reverence with which she sat in the seat warmed him. She rested her hands on the armrests and gently pushed back. “I think I would have liked to meet your father. It sounds like he was a wonderful man.”

“He was.” Ian motioned to a door next to the dresser. “That’s the closet. There should be some clothes in there that might fit you. It’s kind of the catch-all for items that haven’t quite made it to the donation bin. There’s a bathroom across the hall and towels are in the linen closet. We eat breakfast at sunrise, but you’re welcome to sleep as late as you’d like. If you need anything, my room is the third door on the right after the stairs.” He gave her a little nod and slipped from the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Ian made it three steps down the hall before the door behind him opened.

“Ian?” Jessica’s quiet voice was far more vulnerable than he’d expected.

He stopped and turned. Jessica stood in the doorway, light glowing behind her, making her look practically ethereal. “Yeah?”

She rubbed her nose, and her gaze dropped to the floor. “Thanks… for everything.”

Pursing his lips together, he nodded once more and headed for his room.

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