Free Within the Candle's Glow by Karen Campbell Prough Page B

the hat against his right thigh. Dust twirled away, joining the gentle breeze blowing through the cove. He sighed, his breath forced between parted lips.
    “He’s not dumb.”
    “We all know that.” She thought how he sometimes reminded her of a red wolf—tense and wired to leap into action. “I wish I had seen him today. I’m sure he’s gettin’ tall.” She breathed in the mingled scent of sweat, sun-warmed skin, and the wood smoke clinging to his clothes.
    “That he is.” He lifted his head and grinned. “Even with his problem, or because of it, Phillip wraps everyone around his finger.”
    “Yes, he does.” She turned to stare at the wooded mountain slopes lining the narrow cove. She was fully aware of Jim watching her. “Why are you starin’ at me?”
    “The sunlight makes your hair glisten.”
    “It does?” She tried not to show the pleasure she felt.
    “Yes. I like it.” He twirled his hat and plopped it back on his head. His horse nuzzled his arm. “I suppose Samuel tells you the same thing.” He snatched a long stem of wiry grass and twisted it around one finger.
    “Samuel?” She faced him. “No, cain’t recall he’s ever said that.”
    He smiled. “We must walk faster. I’ve got to get you home.”
    “Yes.” Disappointment washed over her. She had liked the strange turn in the conversation.
    “Can’t help but be curious as to what this
Josh
has to do with you, even though Velma explained where you met him.”
    She avoided his stare and laced her fingers around the bag of gold. “He came back here to the cove—to give me somethin’.” She saw no reason to keep it a secret and lifted the swinging bag.
    “To give
you
? Appeared out of nowhere—almost dead—just to giveyou something?” He pulled at the neck of his shirt as if it irritated him. “I don’t like the idea. Him—bein’ a stranger and all.” He ran one hand over his face. His fingers rasped against the shadow of a dark beard. “Don’t keep me in suspense. What’d he give you?”
    She laughed. “It’s not for me. It’s for
Velma
.” She stopped walking and loosened the neck of the bag. “Take a peek.”
    He leaned in. “Wow. That’s gold
nuggets
and gold dust.” Jim’s horse tried to nibble at the bag. He shoved the animal away. “Whoa. That’s not food.”
    “Josh tells me it’s gold Velma’s dead husband mined out of the ground. He wants me to take it to her.”
    “After all these years? That’s hard to believe …” He shook his head and chuckled. “I want to see her face when you give it to her. Can I?”
    “Yes.” She tightened the closure on the bag and rolled it up. Clenching it in her fist, she smiled. “I’m fearful to walk with this much in my hand.”
    “You’ve got me at your side.”
    He playfully offered his elbow. She wasted no time in slipping her hand through it.
    “Then my well-bein’ is secure.”
    “I’ll be your protection as long as you need me.” His callus-roughened fingers patted her hand—nestled in the bend of his left elbow.
    With head bowed to hide the warmth on her cheeks, she smiled.
He fails to realize how long I might want protection.
    Jim’s fingertips tightened. “Knowing you were in there with a stranger made me suffer more anger and worry than I’ve experienced in a long time.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “Why? He’s sicker than a snake-bit dog. Granny wanted me with her.”
    He stopped in the path. “I saw how he feels about you.”
    “What?” Dumbfounded, she shook her head. “
Feels
‘bout me? He an’ I spoke one time—years ago.”
    Sober eyes, the color of a brewing storm, challenged her statement. “You didn’t notice? He’s in love with you.”
    “In
love
with me?” She withdrew her hand from his arm. “You’re touched from the heat.”
    Besides, no one wants a girl with a flawed neck
.
    “Why would a sick man ride into our cove to give you a bag of gold?”
    “He didn’t give it to
me
—it’s for
Velma
. He