Page 35 of More Than Meets the Eye

For long minutes, the woman just lay there, curled into a ball. Not moving. Not speaking. Evangeline didn’t move, either. She kept her hand on the girl’s shoulder, letting her get used to her presence. Letting her learn that she meant no harm.

Logan hunkered down opposite them, watching. He never grew impatient. Never suggested they pack the girl up and leave. He never said a word. Just watched. Until the wind picked up and the girl started shivering. Then he quietly rose to his feet, stripped out of his jacket, and tenderly laid it over her shaking form.

The sleeves were damp from the stream, but the majority of the fabric must have carried his warmth, for the moment he draped it over her curled back, the shivers slowed and a tiny sigh escaped her.

Evangeline smiled her thanks at him, his actions confirming what her heart already knew to be true: Logan was a good man. A kind man. He carried secrets, but he had a core of decency that could not be denied.

Turning back to the woman huddled before her, Evangeline slid her hand out from under the coat and attempted stroking the woman’s hair again. As she lifted a section of dripping dark hair and moved it to the far side of the girl’s neck, her chin came around. The girl unfolded just enough to meet Evangeline’s gaze. She jerked away from Evangeline’s touch, obviously still frightened, but she didn’t try to run this time. Evangeline counted that as progress. Refusing to be offended by the girl’s behavior, she offered her friendliest smile.

“You’re safe,” Evangeline repeated, hoping the young woman had calmed enough to understand her this time. “We just want to help you.”

The girl twisted, looking at Logan. He touched the brim of his hat and dipped his head. “Ma’am.”

“Do you have family nearby?” Evangeline touched the girl’s shoulder. She spun her head back around but made no attempt to answer Evangeline’s question. “Is there somewhere we can take you? Someplace you’ll be safe?”

“You don’t recognize her?” Logan asked.

Evangeline shook her head. “No. Maybe she’s from Ben Franklin.” She turned back to the girl. “Is that where you’re from? Ben Franklin? Do you want us to take you there?”

The girl launched to her feet, Logan’s coat sliding to the ground as she shook her head adamantly.

“All right,” Evangeline soothed, holding her hands out in front of her as she rose from her crouched position. “We won’t take you to Ben Franklin. What about Pecan Gap? Do you know anyone there?”

The woman shook her head even harder, then started backing away. Her eyes darted from Logan to Evangeline to Shamgar.

Did she think to steal their horse?

Logan must have thought so, for he gave a short whistle, and Shamgar trotted over to stand beside him. The woman sagged in defeat, and tears streamed down her face.

Evangeline’s heart broke. This poor girl needed help. Needed a friend. Needed dry clothes, for pity’s sake. And Evangeline had the means to give her all three.

“Well, you obviously don’t want to go to town, so I’ll just have to take you home with me.” She marched up to the girl and held out her hand. “I’m Evangeline Hamilton.” She pointed eastward. “I live about two miles down this road with my brothers, Zach and Seth. We can protect you from whoever did this. Our place is quiet and out of the way. We hardly ever get visitors, so you don’t have to worry about anyone coming around looking for you. Logan’s our neighbor.” Evangeline nodded her head toward him. “He can help protect you, too.”

The woman nibbled her bottom lip. She was obviously terrified and didn’t know who to trust. But what option did she have? Two well-meaning strangers who’d rescued her from drowning had to weigh more favorably than setting off on her own with no food, no money, and no protection. Even if one of them had demon eyes.

“You can stay as long as you like and leave whenever you wish,” Evangeline promised, still holding out her hand. “Please. Come home with me.”

Ever so slowly, the girl extended a trembling hand and grasped Evangeline’s.

Evangeline beamed her approval as she squeezed the girl’s fingers tightly in welcome. “Oh, I’m so glad! You won’t regret it, I promise. You’re actually doing me a favor, you know,” she rambled as she bent to retrieve Logan’s coat and laid it back on the girl’s shoulders. “I’ve been the only female at the house for ages. My brothers are great men, don’t get me wrong, but I can’t exactly share sisterly confidences with them, now can I?” Evangeline wrapped her arm around the girl, who was a couple inches shorter, and gently steered her toward Shamgar. The girl kept her eyes glued to Evangeline’s face as they walked, as if she couldn’t trust her without watching her every move. “You’ll be my first friend to stay over!” Evangeline was determined to make this traumatized girl feel safe and give her a healthy dose of hope. One couldn’t survive darkness without hope. Evangeline knew that firsthand. “We’re going to be the best of friends. You’ll see.”

The girl’s eyes seemed to glaze over a bit as she stumbled along in Evangeline’s enthusiastic wake. But by the time they reached the horse, her tears had ceased and a touch of light had entered her eyes.

Evangeline turned to Logan. “Would you mind giving us a leg up?”

He had an odd look on his face. Nervous, almost. But that didn’t make sense. He had nothing to be anxious about.

“I don’t think she’ll make the walk, Logan,” Evangeline said in a hushed tone when he didn’t immediately step forward to help them mount. “But I don’t want her to feel alone, so I thought I would ride with her. That doesn’t leave much room for you, I’m afraid.”

He shook off his stupor and immediately moved to cup his hands for her to use as a step. “Of course. I’ll lead Shamgar while the two of you ride.” He glanced at the girl’s back as she petted his horse, then lowered his voice as he turned to Evangeline. “You sure we shouldn’t take her to town? We should notify the law or . . . or at least find someone who knows her.”

“Pecan Gap doesn’t have a marshal. We’d have to send to Cooper for the sheriff, and you saw how scared she was at the thought of going to town.” Evangeline gave him her sternest glare. “She’s coming home with me, Logan. And that’s the end of the matter.”

“Home,” he muttered as his gaze dipped away from hers. “Right.”

13

Logan put one foot in front of the other until they reached the homestead. It was all he could manage. He felt as if he were the one trapped in a blanket. Suffocating. Drowning. Seeing his old house from a distance was one thing. Being close enough to touch the walls that had once been his home . . . he’d thought he was prepared. Obviously he was wrong.