Page 53 of In Honor’s Defense

“And I can protect the both of you better at Gringolet.”

He sounded desperate, and he knew it, but his gut was screaming at him not to let her leave. It might be pure selfishness, him grasping at any available straw in order to keep her in his life. But it might also be instinct, the kind that kept him alive on the battlefield. The kind that kept those around him alive.

“Give me a few days,” he pleaded.

He scrambled to come up with a reason to justify her staying, something tangible. But Matt was the one who came up with the plans. Luke just carried them out. So what would Matt do? Who would he—? That’s it!

“We’ve got a newspaper contact in Austin who can look into Harbinger for us. Matt trusts him completely. He used to funnel jobs to us before the Horsemen retired. His name is Francis Kendall. If anyone can dig up dirt on Harbinger, it’s Kendall. Give me time to write to him, ask him to investigate. In the meantime, maybe we can stave off the wolves if you pretend you’re considering selling. Didn’t you say that lawyer fella didn’t want to take no for an answer? What if you told him that you want to accept the offer, but you need time to convince Nate to go along with it? Maybe even ask him to look into the possibility of moving your brother and sister-in-law’s graves. I know it’s morbid, but it would make the story believable and give him something to take to Harbinger that sounds like progress.”

Damaris nibbled on her bottom lip, looking as torn as he felt. “Wouldn’t that be dishonest?”

He had to work to keep a growl of frustration from rumbling out of his throat. Not that he was angry with her. She was right. What he proposed did veer toward dishonesty. But Abraham lied about Sarah being his sister to protect his household. David pretended to be crazy in order to escape from Saul and take refuge among the Philistines. Rahab lied to protect the spies hiding in her house. All were heroes commended for their faith. God must’ve understood.

But had the Lord actually approved?

Doubtful.

One of the verses his old schoolmaster had assigned him to memorize and write on the blackboard rose in his mind to jab at his conscience.

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:22.

That didn’t leave much room for justifications about the greater good.

“Perhaps I could simply ask Mr. Mullins for more information about the buyer.”

Luke snapped his attention back to Damaris.

“The more we learn about Harbinger, the better, right?”

Luke nodded, his heart pounding. She was considering his plan. Considering staying.

“I could mention that I heard about Mr. Grimes selling a parcel of his land and ask if the company would be interested in buying only our unused acreage, leaving the section with the house, barn, and family grave site in the Baxter name. I truly would be interested in his answer. If there is a way to remove the danger by giving them a portion of land while preserving the heart of the homestead for Nathaniel, I’d consider it.”

“That’s brilliant!” Luke slapped his knee in excitement. Not as satisfying as planting a kiss on her lips like his first instinct had demanded, but it would have to do.

A smile blossomed across her face, nearly stealing the breath from his lungs. How in the world could any man think this woman plain? She was the most remarkable creature the Good Lord had ever formed.

“I, ah, better get started on supper,” she said, ducking her face away from him as she pushed to her feet.

Luke grabbed the railing and heaved himself upward as well. “And I have a letter to write.”

There was little chance Harbinger would consider Damaris’s counteroffer. The section of land she wanted to keep stretched east-west, perpendicular to the north-south path a railroad would need to travel. Nevertheless, the offer would do exactly what he needed it to do—buy time. Time for Kendall to investigate and time for Luke to get back into full fighting shape so he could protect the people he cared about.

One of whom was jogging this way across the yard.

“So what did y’all decide?” Nate asked. “We goin’ to see the Hangers?”

Luke turned to Damaris, letting her take the lead with how much she wanted to tell the boy. Her eyes sought his, and he nodded in a show of support. He’d have her back, whatever she decided to share.

“Not just yet,” she said. “A new baby creates lots of changes in a household. I think we should give them some time before showing up on their doorstep.”

Nate’s smile flattened, and suspicion entered his eyes. “There’s something you’re not telling me, isn’t there?”

Damaris’s hands found her hips. “Yes, there is.” Her cheeks flamed red.

Nate jutted his chin forward. “You gonna tell me?”

“No, I’m not. Not everything that happens in your vicinity is your concern, Nathaniel Baxter. I’m allowed a few secrets, and I intend to keep them. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have supper to get on.”