month to persuade her to go out yesterday, for the first time since Flint had died. âIf youâll justââ
âIâm sure if you just think of Ruthy first, you could see your way clear toââ
âDare!â Her jaw was clenched until it was hard to talk. âIf Iâll just think of Ruthy first?â Her voice rose with every word. âDid you really just say that to me?â
This time he seemed to hesitate. Too late. But at least he did it. âI didnât meanââ
âOh, yes, you did. You meant Iâm such a weakling and so fragile that Iâd put my own delicate feelings ahead of the life and death of my friendâs child.â
From the look in his eyes, Glynna discerned that he had no idea how to respond to that, not without sticking his foot further into his mouth.
Into the silence, which Glynna was proud to say sheâd scared him into, she said, âOf course weâll come. And we need to hurry because Ruthy is one to get an early start.â
âYou wonât tell her, will you?â
That reminded Glynna that this had started with Dare asking her and her children if they could keep a secret. Glynna looked at her youngsters. âWe wonât tell her, will we?â
Paul said, âI can keep my mouth shut.â
Janny chewed on her fingernail and didnât speak, which was its own kind of answer. Janny wouldnât say a word.
âGood. Letâs get on our way, then. Do we take the wagon again?â Glynna looked to Dare, wondering if he could handle sitting on a horse for the ride to the ranch.
âJonas and Vince are harnessing the team.â
Arching a brow, Glynna said, âYou were that sure Iâd go?â
âNo, not one bit sure. But I convinced them I was going, and they decided Iâd fall off my horse before I got there. The wagon is for me, but youâre more than welcome to ride in it. And just possibly save your friendâs babyâs life, in the event there is a baby.â Dare smiled, teasing. A great smile.
Somehow, though his hair was shaggy and curly and barely finger-combed, and his mustache drooped and henever dressed up much, he was about the finest-looking man Glynna had ever seen. Of course her first husband, Reggie, had been a decent-looking man, as well. Too bad he had a mind as twisted as a Texas cyclone, the sneaking soul of a chicken-killing weasel, and all the honor of a thieving coyoteâall things sheâd noticed after theyâd been married awhile.
And Flint, well, heâd been neat and clean when heâd stepped off the stagecoach in Little Rock. Not a good-looking man, but considering the treacherous place Glynna found herself in at the time, sheâd hardly cared about his appearance. In fact, heâd looked like a knight in shining armor. Only later had she realized he was a devil in disguise.
âOh, and I havenât told my suspicions to Jonas or Vince yet, either. So the secret is just between the four of us.â
Glynna said, âWeâll get our wraps on and be right out. Go sit down before you collapse.â
Dare left, and she smiled, liking the idea of sharing a secret with him, for some reason. Then she turned to find her coat and saw Paul staring after Dare, frowning. . . . No, it was more than frowning. It was suppressed rage.
Glynna quickly wiped the smile off her face before her son could think she had the slightest liking for Dare Rikerâthe nice, handsome man whoâd saved her life and set her free from purgatory.
âRuthy! How are you?â Glynna as good as yelled at Ruthy, but she yelled in what she hoped was a perky, friendly way.
Truth was, she spied Ruthy reaching for a rock bigger than her head, and sheâd called out to distract her friend from lifting the heavy stone.
Ruthy straightened and smiled. Her red hair was still neatly pulled back, and her dress was clean. Glynna hoped that meant