Read Jake for Free Online Page B

into his hand and closed her eyes, needing the comfort.
    “I don’t know what to say,” she said quietly, as she straightened. “I can holler at you all day and it’s not going to change your mind. Down deep, I’m hoping you’re right and I’m wrong. I’m hoping that Billy won’t want witnesses to his weakness,” she shook her head. “But I don’t think he considers it a weakness. He’s proud he can keep me in line. And I let him. That’s the worst of it. I let him, because I need him to get what I want. A way to never have to see him again. I’m going to get away from him but it’s going to take more time. I can put up with anything for a little while.”
    She walked up to where Buster grazed, took the reins that had fallen to the ground and threw them up over his neck. Then she took hold of his bridle and started walking.
    Jake walked along side her where the trail would allow and behind Buster when it got too narrow. They walked in silence, both lost in their thoughts.
    “I guess if you’re really going to do this, we might as well find you a good spot to set up.”
    He grinned. “That’s my girl.”
    She shook her head, “I’m not your girl.”
    He had the good sense to look chagrined. She didn’t know it yet, but she was his girl or would be before all was said and done. His attraction to her was too great to ignore. He’d never felt like this, never felt the lightning charge through his body like when he touched Becky. Not even with Elizabeth. May she rest in peace.
    She took him close to her campsite. “This is as far as you go. It’s flat, high enough up the hillside in case the stream floods and has a good view of our camp. Even when you’re working the creek you can still see my place.”
    Jake took off his pack and let it fall noisily to the ground. He found the tent and started to put it up.
    “Aren’t you going to ask to help me with Billy?’
    He didn’t look up. “Nope.”
    “Why not?” she said suspiciously.
    “Because I’m hoping you’ll drop him on his head and he’ll break his neck. It would save me a lot of trouble,” he pounded the stakes into the ground, picturing Billy’s head with each one.
    She laughed. “I don’t suppose I should laugh at that but I can’t help it. I’ve dropped him so many times, I think he’s unbreakable.”
    Finally, he looked up at her from where he knelt on the ground, pounding stakes. “Trust me, we’ll find out if he’s unbreakable if he hurts you again. Because I’ll break every bone in his face.”
    “Jake, I know you mean well, but please don’t say those things to me. As much as I hate Billy, he’s still my father.” The sadness in her voice reached out to him. All he wanted was to keep her safe. He didn’t want to hurt her. He hadn’t been able to protect Elizabeth but he damned sure would Becky.
    He put down the tent stakes and walked to where she stood, holding Buster’s bridle and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. “I want you to understand. I’m not saying this to be mean, I’m letting you know and I’m going to let him know, if he ever gets sober enough to understand, exactly what I’m going to do. He can’t treat you like that.”
    She pulled out of his light grasp and turned away from him. “You do what you have to.” She clucked her tongue and Buster started walking. Jake noticed her shoulders were a little slumped. He’d have to take care of Billy out of her sight. She wasn’t ready to let go of the little girl who needed her father’s approval and he wasn’t ready to become the villain in her eyes.
    Billy awoke several hours after Becky brought him back to the camp. Jake saw him come out of the tent, stretch then go to the campfire and check the pot there for something to eat.
    Just looking at the man and knowing how he treated Becky made Jake angry. As if knowing that he was being watched, Billy looked over where Jake stood in the stream with his pan, working not a hundred feet from