Page 79 of Fairest of Heart

Titus braced his hands on the table on either side of his hips. “We all feel responsible. Me for leavin’. Rowdy for hidin’ the jewels. Doc for not getting back sooner after hearin’ your warning shot. But the only one truly to blame is the woman who laced that cider with poison. You did the best you could with the knowledge available to you in that moment. That’s all any of us can do. Floggin’ yourself ain’t gonna do Penelope or Doc any favors.”

Jeb shrugged. “Maybe. Still makes me spittin’ mad that Penny nearly died on my watch.”

“I understand the feeling.”

Thoughts of Narcissa LaBelle and Cecil Hunt churned his stomach and poked him in all the sore spots left from the near sleepless night he’d just spent. The need to see them brought to justice burned in his gut, but he tamped down the flaring embers. This wasn’t the time to plot their demise. It was time to focus on Penelope and making sure she was all right.

“I’m gonna wash up in the barn and grab some clean clothes,” he said as he pushed away from the table. “Will you sit with Penelope for me after you get the coffee on? I don’t want her to be alone.”

Jeb hung his head. “Doubt she’d want me there.”

Titus leaned close to the old drover. “Didn’t you know? You’re her favorite.”

Jeb’s eyebrows arched. Skepticism dominated the man’s gaze, but a touch of longing rimmed the edges. He wanted to believe it was true.

For all Titus knew, it was. Penelope doted on Jeb. Probably took it as a personal challenge to sweeten his sour disposition.

Titus strode to the back door and fit his hand to the latch. “It won’t be for long,” he urged. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”

Jeb shook his head, his nose crinkling. “Boy, it’s gonna take longer’n fifteen minutes to scrub that stink outa yer hide.” He waved him on, though. “Do whatcha gotta do. I’ll sit with her.”

“Thank you.”

“Uh-huh.” Jeb emptied the coffee from the grinder, then dumped the grounds into the pot, dismissing Titus with the turn of his back.

The old grump proved to be right. It took closer to thirty minutes to wash up at the pump, shave in the barn, and don fresh clothes. Titus spared himself two minutes to check on Rex and turn him out to pasture, then hoofed it back to the house, eager to check on Penelope.

She hadn’t awoken, but a change had come over her. A frown marred her brow as she tossed about, and small moans rumbled in her throat.

Jeb turned in his chair the moment Titus entered the room, a slightly panicked look on his face. “She started mumblin’ and flailing a few minutes ago. I’m thinkin’ a nightmare’s got hold of her. Wasn’t sure if I should try to wake her or not.” His attention returned to Penelope. “I tried pattin’ her back, but she nearly took my head off with a swing of her arm.”

Titus hurried to her side, Jeb eagerly retreating to make room.

“Pen? It’s all right, sweetheart. You’re safe.” Titus cupped her shoulder, but instead of soothing her, his touch sparked greater agitation.

The furrow in her brow deepened, and her head tossed back and forth. Her moaning grew louder and became words. Titus managed to pick out a few.

“Leave . . . alone . . . killing him . . .”

Jeb was right. She was trapped in a nightmare. Only Titus very much feared it was more memory than dream.

He couldn’t abandon her to her terrors. He had to help her. Her body might need sleep, but her mind needed comfort, and he only knew one way to give it.

Titus sat on the edge of the mattress and scooped her up against his chest. It didn’t matter that she nearly blackened his eye with a wild elbow, or that her skull slammed into his jaw hard enough to knock his head backward. A few bruises wouldn’t deter him. She wasn’t going to battle this demon alone.

“I’m here, Pen. I’m here.” She fought his hold, but he didn’t let go. He clutched her to his chest, supporting her head with one hand. “Wake up, darlin’, and we can face it together.”

She whimpered.

Not knowing what else to try, Titus leaned his mouth close to her ear and infused all the authority of the Texas Rangers into his voice. “Wake up, Penelope.”

Her struggles ceased. She leaned back slightly as he loosened his hold. Her eyes fluttered open. “Titus?”

His mouth curved into a smile. Man, but he loved hearing his name on her lips and seeing her pretty gray eyes seek his the moment she awoke. “I’m here, sweetheart. Everything’s all right. You’re safe.”

The fog dissipated from her gaze, but she didn’t relax. In fact, she stiffened and latched on to his arms as if he were the last piece of driftwood in a storm-tossed sea.

“Ike! She tried to kill Ike.”