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He’d been abandoned just like she had been. But lucky for him, he had all his siblings to help keep their family together.
She’d been alone.
Henry was right about something else.
They did have more in common than she realized.
7
Henry
Deep down, Henry knew there was going to be a dark origin story. He just didn’t think it would turn out to be so similar to his own. If there was anyone out there who could relate to him, it would be this woman.
It was really too bad Sam couldn’t see what he saw in her. She truly had the kind of strength that a regular person could only dream of having, but like most things in this world, the price was too steep.
He pulled the truck around and parked in front of a boutique that sold women’s clothing. He’d heard Annabel talking about it once before. It had the coat and shoes that Sam had requested, but it also had a wide selection of clothing. He wouldn’t have been surprised if they had tote bags or backpacks somewhere in the back.
Henry had already made up his mind before they got in the truck. While Sam insisted on only purchasing the two items, he’d busy himself with finding a few outfits for her to try on as well.
She might not realize it, but the outfit she was wearing needed to be replaced. There wasn’t a single doubt in his mind that she’d deny his request to get her something, but he was going to do it anyway. Sometimes, people just needed to accept the help they were being offered.
He turned toward her after he killed the engine. “That store right there will have everything you need, and if it doesn’t, then we can head out and take a look at the cowboy supply store that we passed coming in. They have everything from farming equipment to clothes for us ranchers.”
Sam eyed the store before them with dismay. “I don’t think that’s the sort of place that is going to sell me the kinds of shoes or the coat that would be beneficial to my… situation.” She brought her eyes back to meet his. “I’m not some hoity-toity girl who has the luxury of staying inside all winter long. Inevitably, I’m going to have to find a place where they don’t force their guests to sleep outside or in the chimney.”
Henry wrinkled his nose. “No one’s gonna make you sleep in the chimney.”
“Okay, they might not have forced me to, but on several occasions, I’ve had to bring something to the front desk and the people working there asked me to clean out the fireplace so they could start using it as it got colder.” A smile tugged at her lips, but she kept it at bay. “You never realize just how much you want to become the princess in the soot than when you wake up covered in it.”
“How old were you?” Henry asked. “That doesn’t sound like something a young girl would be requested to do.”
She shrugged. “I suppose that was the time I ran away from the Hamiltons. It was that shelter on the corner of Ash and Fifth Streets.” Her eyes shot to meet Henry’s. “Oh yeah, I had just turned fifteen. It was their way of giving me something to keep me busy and also get me started working for the man.”
He chuckled. “Working for the man?” Henry sobered when her expression didn’t match his level of amusement. “I have a hard time believing that someone would put you to work just so you could become a contributing member of society.”
“You would assume wrong.”
“Is it so bad? Helping people out? I didn’t like that I had to work my tail off at the ranch, but if I didn’t pull my weight, I didn’t get fed.”
Sam turned away from him. “That’s different. You were trying to help your family. I didn’t have any.”
That was a good point, but it didn’t change the fact that in order to get something out of this world, a person had to work for it. Even he could see that.
Based on her body language, he didn’t feel he could point out that fact. She had chosen to live her life in a certain way, and for all intents and purposes, she was happy with her choices.
Henry turned his attention toward the boutique store. “I have a proposition for you.”
Her head snapped around and she stared at him with distrust. “I’m not that kind of girl.” Her words were like a strike to the chest. Pain and mortification hit and hit hard.
His eyes cut to meet hers. “I don’t know what you think I was going to suggest, but I assure you it’s nothing that would put your reputation at risk.”
She eyed him, still not showing even an ounce of flexibility. “I’m not going to apologize for being cautious. In my experience, people simply aren’t trustworthy. I shouldn’t have to trust you just because you gave me a place to stay and want to get me a coat.”
“No, but you should be more willing to give me the benefit of the doubt. I haven’t done anything to make you feel at risk, have I?”
“No,” she murmured.
“Then hear me out before you jump to conclusions. I swear, I’m not trying to pull the wool over your eyes. I’m just trying to help.”
