Free Finding Promise by Scarlett Dunn Page A

she’d been taken by his good manners, and the vaquero had them in abundance.
    After a moment, Promise turned her attention to Cole. “Do you also have a ranch in Wyoming, Mr. Becker?”
    Cole liked the sound of her soft Southern voice. “Call me Cole. Not yet, but I found a place I like.”
    That was news to Jake. He listened to them talk until he couldn’t take anymore of Cole’s flirting. Forcing his mind back on business, Jake pointed to four men. “Take first watch with me. He glanced at Cole, saying, “The rest of you can relieve us in four hours.”
    Ready to retire for the night, Promise stood and said good night to the men in camp. Shorty offered to walk with her to the wagon, but Jake nixed that idea when he jumped up. “I’ll see her to the wagon.”
    Jake grabbed a lantern and took hold of her elbow as he led her from the fire. Rodriguez wasn’t the only man with manners, he told himself. He just had to work a bit harder at dusting his off now and then. He’d noticed her perfect deportment as she interacted with the men. She gave her full attention to each man she spoke with, listening intently to what he was saying, as if she didn’t have enough problems of her own. He had to admit, that was difficult for him at times, with the way some of the men droned on and on. He had never met what he thought was the quintessential Southern belle, but it seemed to him that the title suited Promise perfectly.
    â€œHow did you enjoy the first day of your cattle drive?” Jake hoped he sounded as though he engaged in polite conversation with ladies every day. That wasn’t easy; for weeks on end he’d been around men who were rough as cobs.
    â€œIt was quite informative, and Shorty is very entertaining.” Promise looked up at the large man beside her. His face was shadowed by the brim of his hat, and his eyes were so dark she couldn’t really see them.
    Reaching the wagon, Jake tossed back the canvas flap and put the lantern on the floor before he helped her inside. “Do you have everything you need?”
    â€œYes, thank you.” Her gaze swept the surrounding dark terrain, unable to stop thinking of the possibility danger was lurking in every shadow. All day she couldn’t stop questioning why someone would shoot her. It was a question with no answers; she didn’t even know if she had enemies. It occurred to her that whoever shot her could come back and try again. Surrounded by darkness, her fears increased.
    Sensing her anxiety, Jake wondered what was making her so nervous. She seemed fine during dinner. “Is there something on your mind?”
    â€œHmm . . . yes.” She looked up to see him staring intently at her with those midnight eyes. “I was wondering if . . . whoever shot me . . . well, do you think they might try again?”
    â€œYou haven’t remembered anything about that, have you?”
    â€œNo, and that is what concerns me. Not knowing who or why, how am I to know if the person is near me?”
    His gaze didn’t leave her when he said, “You will be safe with us.”
    She believed him, yet it did little to set her mind at ease. “Shorty said you slept in here when I was unconscious. Is this where you normally sleep?”
    â€œNo, I usually catch a few hours outside before I take another watch. I just wanted to be close if you came around, because sometimes I can sleep pretty soundly if I’m overly tired.” He correctly assumed she didn’t want to be alone right now. “I can stay for a few minutes if you want.”
    â€œOh, that would be lovely,” she replied, obviously relieved.
    He gracefully jumped in the wagon.
    She gave him a tremulous smile. “Shall we sit?”
    â€œYes, ma’am. I can’t stay bent over this way for long.”
    He did look uncomfortable, doubled over to keep from hitting his head. She sat on her pallet and watched him