A Family for the Holidays by Sherri Shackelford

Author:Sherri Shackelford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-08-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Lily woke the next morning feeling no more refreshed than if she hadn’t slept a wink. After collapsing on the bed, she’d tossed and turned. All night long she’d been tensed for a pounding on the door.

If the sheriff hadn’t begun searching already, perhaps he’d simply given up. Her body ached from their grueling ride, and the scratch on her leg throbbed. She’d known, of course, that Jake would leave. For his own safety, and for theirs. Still, his desertion struck her as a betrayal.

The feel of his lips on hers lingered. Sensible Lily Winter had kissed an outlaw, and she didn’t regret her actions.

Peeling back the layer of bandaging on her leg, she winced. With the children sleeping soundly, she dipped a towel in the ewer of water on the nightstand and cleaned the wound again. Once they were in St. Joseph, she’d visit the pharmacy for a salve. By the end of the evening, they’d be well away from Vic and his influence.

Having replaced the bandage, she shook Sam and Peter awake with a renewed sense of purpose. No matter what happened, she wasn’t leaving these two. Even if everyone in the world deserted them, they’d have each other.

Thirty minutes later they were all dressed and their bags packed. Lily checked the clock on the mantel. They had plenty of time for breakfast before their train departed.

She smoothed the material over her stomach and took a deep breath. Jake hadn’t said goodbye the previous evening. He’d said good-night instead. For some reason the oversight annoyed her to no end. People ought to say goodbye when they were leaving.

She swung open the door and discovered Jake standing on the threshold, his hand raised in midknock.

Her heart jerked against her ribs. Before she could stop herself, she threw herself into his arms and hugged him around the middle. His arms came around her. She let herself sink into his embrace for a moment before pulling away.

He offered her one of his rare half grins. “I hope you don’t regret this.”

“Not at all. Never.” She rushed ahead, her voice breathless. “You didn’t leave us. I can’t believe you didn’t leave us.”

“I figured I better stick with you three until my beard grows back.” He rubbed the backs of his fingers against the grain of the stubble on his chin. “I’ll never get work as a hired gun looking like this.”

“You’re quite handsome. I like you far better this way.”

If she didn’t know better, she’d think there was a hint of a blush at her complement.

Twenty minutes later they handed their tickets to the conductor and boarded the train. The station was crowded with people bustling to and fro. Steamer trunks and bags made navigating the depot difficult, but all the commotion provided much-needed cover.

Taller than Lily, Jake scanned the crowd and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Nothing. I don’t see anyone searching the passengers.”

Relief surged through her. “Then we’ve made it.”

“I won’t feel relief until you’re back home in Missouri.

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