Free Convictions by Maureen McKade

had lunch made already, and Hank, uh, Mr. Elliott helped me. I muddled through dinner, and so far none of the men have collapsed from food poisoning."
    He smiled, relaxing visibly. "So Mr. Elliott gave you a hand?"
    The way her father enunciated Hank's name told her he hadn't missed her gaffe. "Yes."
    "Did Connie have any idea when she might return?"
    "No."
    He sighed. "That leaves us in somewhat of a pickle."
    Whatever cobwebs remained in Olivia's head disappeared. "You know most of the people around the area. Can you think of someone who can cook and could use the extra money?" she asked, trying not to sound desperate.
    "A lot of folks could use extra money, but there aren't many who can cook for a crew like we have here." He turned his head to meet her gaze squarely. "It sounds like you could do the job."
    Olivia's heart skipped a beat, and she shook her head vehemently. "No. No way, Dad. I can't."
    "You've already proved you can."
    Her insides knotted into a hard fist. She pushed herself to her feet and flinched at the stiffness in her bad leg, but her anxiety made the discomfort negligible.
    "I only did it because I didn't have a choice. No one else could do it," she said, her words coming out too fast.
    Her father shrugged nonchalantly, but Olivia spied the shrewdness in his eyes. "You could've asked Buck to find someone to take care of the meals. I'm sure one of the men could've thrown something together for dinner, even if it was just soup and sandwiches."
    "Buck offered to find someone," she admitted. "But I know how shorthanded you are already."
    "I see."
    Although there was no sarcasm in his voice, she recognized that tone. It was the same tone he used when chastising an overeager lawyer in his courtroom. She wasn't certain she liked the analogy.
    He laid his coat on the arm of the sofa and clasped her arms. "You didn't have to cook, yet you did. Personally, I think that's a good sign. It means you're ready to take another step forward."
    Her insides quaked, and her skin felt clammy. "I don't think—"
    "I do," her father interrupted smoothly. "You can do it, if you put your mind to it." He released her and added gently, "But I'm going to leave the decision up to you, Liv."
    Despite Olivia's misgivings, she had succeeded in feeding the men. A quiet thrill of satisfaction washed through her. It was a feeling she hadn't experienced since... since before the attack.
    Could she accept the responsibility until Connie returned? Or would she crumble like she'd done over and over the past few months?
    Cooking three meals a day didn't come close to facing a judge and jury in a courtroom, but it would be a step in the right direction. If she could conquer her fear of dealing with the ranch hands and, more importantly, the convicts, she would move closer to regaining her former life. The only life she'd ever wanted.
    "All right." She cleared her throat. "I'll do it. But I'd like an assistant, another woman. And when Connie returns, she can stay on and help her until the fall when there won't be so many men to cook for."
    He frowned. "And where do you expect this assistant to stay, in the bunkhouse with the men?"
    "Of course not," Olivia replied impatiently, her mind racing for a solution. "How about the spare bedroom?"
    "You wouldn't mind a stranger living in the house?"
    "Not if it's a woman."
    He appeared deep in thought for a long moment. "You make a good argument. It might work."
    Olivia tilted her head and crossed her arms. "Well, Your Honor, will you grant the defendant her request?"
    "You drive a hard bargain, ADA Kincaid." His face relaxed, and he smiled. "I'll run into town tomorrow and see who I can come up with."
    Although she'd won, Olivia found it a Pyrrhic victory. She wouldn't have to work so closely with Hank Elliott, but she wouldn't have any walls protecting her from the convicts, either. She'd see them, but more dangerously, they'd see her. What if one of them was as ruthless as the man who'd attacked her