Danger on the Ranch by Dana Mentink

Author:Dana Mentink
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-03-06T17:47:20+00:00

FOURTEEN

Jane could only make her body follow one direction at a time. “Get into Mitch’s truck,” she told herself. The jolt of cold air gave her just enough energy to make it. He joined her after a few moments, starting the engine without a word.

They drove a half mile or so before he brought the truck to a stop and cleared his throat. “I...I’m not sure this is the right timing, but I wanted to...” He looked at the night sky and then at the steering wheel. “I mean...like I said back there, I judged you wrongly. I understand now that you were Wade’s victim, not his ally, so I want to say I’m sorry.”

She swallowed hard. “Thank you, but you don’t need to apologize. You never did me any harm.”

“I heaped plenty of hate on you when you didn’t deserve it.” He offered a wry smile. “I figure that rates a sin in your book.”

“It’s your book, too, even though you don’t read it.”

“I read it plenty in my lifetime, looking for something—answers, I guess—but I never found anything in there that could take away from the mess.”

“‘Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God.’ That’s what I found there, Mitch, a pure love that lasts.”

“My problem with that...” He sighed. “Aw, never mind. Not the right time.”

“No better time,” she prompted.

“Well, if you believe that, then the same applies to Wade, doesn’t it? If nothing separates him from God, then there’s no justice. Wade doesn’t deserve the same kind of love. He’s evil—that’s the bottom line.”

“God invites everyone, even Wade, but He doesn’t compel anyone to take the invitation.” She looked at Mitch. “So Wade has declined...and so have you.”

He frowned. “My choice.”

“Yes.” She stroked the kitten, feeling the vibration of his purring under the delicate lattice of ribs. The sweetness of the innocent creature kindled the flames in her belly. “I have to get my son.”

“It’s almost three a.m. You can’t go now. We’ll go back to the ranch, sleep, talk to Aunt Ginny and Gus and be sure they understand the risks of having you and Ben there.”

“No, Mitch. I’m sorry. I have to get him right now. If you don’t want to take me, I understand. I have to send Nana Jo home.” She struggled to swallow down a lump in her throat. “It’s just too dangerous to ask her to stay after what’s happened. I need to go it alone now.”

“Not alone.”

She didn’t know what to say to that. It had been a very long time since anyone had stood by her side except for Nana Jo. Certainly not a man. It made her nerves pulse with uncertainty. But it was a mission for Mitch, a means to both assuage his guilt and quench the burning desire for justice. How difficult it must be for him, she thought. A lawman who had witnessed the worst injustices life could dish out. The kitten mewed, and she wished she had some milk for it.

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