Heart of a Lady (Book One of the Red River Valley Brides) by Hestand Rita

Author:Hestand, Rita
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, historical, western, rita hestand, mail order brides, heart of a lady
Publisher: Rita Hestand

Chapter Sixteen

On the ride home, Jo Ella was quiet and Dillon didn't press her for conversation. But as the day wore on, he tried to reassure her.

"You aren't worried about Harry, are you? I wouldn't have left him if I thought he couldn't handle himself."

Jo Ella shook her head. "No, I guess not. I mean he's a very good sheriff. He knows his job. He knows what he is doing."

"That's right. And like Mae said, there are only three of them."

She veiled her deeper thoughts from Dillon. "Why… why didn't you go with him?"

Dillon reined his horse in and stilled his actions. "The way you were movin' I figured you had some busted ribs. We'll get them bound up and you fixed in no time. You just take it easy."

"You didn't answer my question?" She stopped and stared at him. He slid off his horse and went to her. As he helped her off, he held her close. Jo Ella temporarily let him hold her, just the reassurance she was alive made her tremble. She pushed him away gently.

"Well, why didn't you go with him?" she murmured as she looked into his dark hooded eyes. Her hands were on his arms, steadying herself.

"He didn't want me to. He told me right off he was going after them himself and that my job was to see you home safely. At first I fought him about it. I just couldn't imagine him going after all three men alone and making it back. But what he said made sense. Worrying about you was bigger than both of us. Distractions can kill."

"But—"

"He was worried about you. He wanted to know he didn't have to while he was doing his job. As a man who cares about you, I understand that. Even respect it."

She stared into Dillon's face. "So it's my fault he's alone."

"No."

"You're a good friend, aren't you, Dillon?"

"Am I? With you or Harry?"

"With Harry. He was worried about me. I knew he was. And you wanted to put his mind to ease."

"Yeah, good ole Harry," he mumbled. "Somehow I knew he'd come out looking like the hero in this."

She walked a distance then turned back. "He was also worried about you. He knows how you feel about Cole and his bunch. He knows you might shoot first and ask questions later. He didn't want to see you get in trouble. He doesn't want to have to arrest you, when this is all over." Jo Ella smiled. "In a way, he's protecting you from yourself."

" I guess you are right about that. I do have a tendency to shoot first." Dillon nodded. "It doesn't change things. Someone in Cole's little gang killed my father. We discussed it. I aim to find out which one. I'm pretty sure it was Morey, but I'd hate to kill him, and find out later it was Cole."

"And what good will that do in the long run, Dillon?" Jo Ella balled her fists at her side. "It will make you a murderer.

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