Page 34 of In Honor’s Defense

“And I’m a horse’s backside.”

“What?”

He grunted quietly as he shifted to lean his weight against the fence slats and hooked one arm around the post, probably for extra support.

“You need to rest.” She frowned in concern and took a step toward him. “We can talk later.”

He scowled at her. “We can talk now. I ain’t gonna topple over in the next five minutes.”

Wonderful. Now she’d insulted his manhood. Only she could manage to make things worse with an apology.

Afraid to dig herself any deeper into the Pit of Good Intentions Gone Wrong, she buttoned her lips and let him take the lead.

“First off,” he said in a near growl, “you had every right to say what you did. Speak the truth in love. That’s what the Bible teaches, and that’s what you did. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. The wrong came in when I let old hurts get the better of me and walked out on you after you worked so hard to turn that stall into something special. You deserved better.”

She did her best to smile but feared the attempt was too wobbly to be effective. “It’s all right.”

“No, it ain’t. I’m a rough man who’s lived a rough life, but even I know better than to walk out on a woman who’s been nothing but kind to me.”

Hearing him denigrate himself sparked her ire. He had saved Nathaniel’s life, and she wouldn’t allow him to speak poorly of himself in her hearing. “You might be a little rough around the edges, Luke Davenport,” she said, stepping close enough to lay her palm lightly on his chest, “but in here beats a noble heart. I don’t know what harsh circumstances you endured as a child or on the battlefield, but I do know that the man standing before me today is a man to admire. One who places the well-being of others before himself. One who loves God’s Word and inspires loyalty in his friends. One who forgives the faults in others faster than he forgives his own. You’re a good man, Luke, and I thank God for bringing you into our lives.”

For however long you decide to stay.

Damaris dropped her hand back to her side and retreated, her pulse zigzagging in crazy patterns through her midsection as she realized just how boldly she’d acted. What must he think of her?

He didn’t say a word. Or move. Or even breathe, as far as she could tell. To be honest, she was having difficulty breathing herself. Touching him, feeling his heart pound beneath her fingertips, wasn’t exactly the best way to keep from growing too attached.

Yet she didn’t regret it. She’d spoken the truth in love.

What kind of love was a question better left unexplored. For now.

Luke watched Damaris leave, too dumbstruck to do anything but stare. It was a good thing his elbow was looped over the paddock post, or he might have proven himself a liar and toppled right over onto his face.

Her touch had been featherlight, yet he could feel the imprint of her fingers as if they’d branded themselves on his skin.

Never in all his born days had a woman touched him like that. Sure, a saloon gal or two had made friendly with his person on the occasions he’d found himself seeking a meal or a game of cards in such a place. But they hadn’t touched him. Not in a way that left a lasting impression. Luke was pretty sure he could live to be a hundred and not forget Damaris’s gentle hand pressed against his chest and her earnest words pressed against his soul.

He rubbed the spot on his shirt where her hand had lain, trying to preserve the feeling. How had she reached inside him like that? Grabbing hold of his heart as if it were a book on her shelf. Cracking it open and peeking inside before he could snap it closed again. The crazy thing was, part of him actually wanted to let her see those hidden places. To share those dark memories with someone so awash in light. Thank goodness the sane part of him knew better.

But that sanity had its limits, apparently, for he couldn’t stop himself from caring about her. Her well-being, her feelings, even her interests. And when had a cavalryman ever cared about needlework and novel reading? Lord, have mercy. He was losing his mind.

A man to admire. Her words echoed in his head, warming his blood and kicking his pulse into a bouncy trot. It was probably a good thing he could barely walk to the barn at the moment. Otherwise, he’d be sorely tempted to follow her into the house and let her know exactly how much he admired her.

Titan nudged him from behind, snorting into the back of his neck.

“I know,” Luke muttered as he turned slowly and patted Titan’s neck. “She’s too good for me. But I don’t have to court her to protect her. She needs a man with my kind of skills around, with those rustlers out there. Maybe with Grimes too, if there’s any truth to Nate’s accusations. I ain’t leaving ’til I know she’s safe.”

And when she was?

Luke swallowed. Walking away from Damaris Baxter wouldn’t be easy. But he’d do it. Even if it meant leaving a piece of himself behind.

CHAPTER

SIXTEEN

You goin’ to town today?” Nathaniel peered at Damaris from across the breakfast table, oddly uninterested in the flapjacks on his plate.

Something was bothering him. She searched his face for clues but found none, only the shuttered expression he wore when he expected her to disappoint him, an expression she hadn’t seen since Luke came to stay with them.