Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

" M iss Evie, you have a visitor." Ana strolled into the kitchen, a wide smile on her face. She held a dust rag in one hand. In the other was a bottle of lemon oil, and the faint aroma of citrus filled the air to mix with the chickens roasting in the oven.

Evie put the carrot and the peeler down on the butcher block table. Another of Lucy's mail-order husbands? She hoped not. "Thank you, Ana."

"Do you want coffee?"

Evie shook her head. The sooner she got rid of this visitor, the better she'd feel. It shouldn't take long, either, just long enough to tell whoever it was that he was too late. She loved Jake.

She turned to Felicity and gestured to the bowl of vegetables on the table. "Would you mind terribly finishing these?"

"Not at all. Go see to your guest."

"Thank you."

She washed and dried her hands, then untied the apron and laid it over the back of a chair. After leaving the kitchen, she stopped briefly at the mirror in the hallway to check her appearance. Staring at her reflection, a terrifying thought skipped into her head, and immediately, her stomach clenched with fear. What if her visitor wasn't another suitor at all? What if it was Erik King finally tracking Jake down? What if…she forced the thoughts away, but her stomach remained knotted. She took a calming breath, forced a smile to her lips, and stepped into the parlor but didn't move from the doorway as she sized up her visitor.

A black-suited gentleman stood in front of the table, admiring the photographs lined up there. He didn't touch them or move them around like Mr. Ambrose had. Indeed, he stood with his hands folded behind his back, leaning forward a little so he could see each one clearly. He chuckled low in his throat and nodded his head full of silver hair at a few of them, as if he could see beyond the angelic faces in the pictures. He looked harmless. Then again, what would a ruthless man look like? Still, she was prepared to deny Jake was at the ranch.

She cleared her throat. "Hello, I'm Evie Miller."

Her visitor turned around and the first thing she noticed was his kind eyes and beaming smile. The second thing she noticed was the white clerical collar at his throat. This was no gambling kingpin or a prospective husband, but a man of God.

He moved forward, his step spry and agile as he reached for her hand. She noticed right away the air of comfort surrounding him. There was something so pure, so loving, in both his countenance and demeanor that she felt instantly at ease.

"Miss Miller!" he exclaimed, the faint traces of an Irish accent complementing the comfort of his touch somehow. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard a great deal about you."

Evie blinked as he released her hand, taking that feeling of solace with him.

"Forgive the intrusion, but I'm looking for Jake Hannigan."

Understanding dawned and she sighed with relief. "You must be Father O'Malley."

He gave her a beaming smile. "That I am."

"I've heard a great deal about you as well. Jake speaks of you often."

"Does he now?" His merry blues eyes were kind. "That maverick." He lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I prayed harder for that boy than anyone else, but I always thought my prayers did little good. Until now. I can tell you, with the utmost authority, as a man who's known Jake most of his life, he's very happy. Finally." His rocked back on his heels, his smile widening. "God works in mysterious ways, doesn't He?"

She returned his smile. She couldn't help herself. Father O'Malley was extraordinarily charming, though she didn't doubt he could be a taskmaster when he chose to be, at least according to Jake. "Yes, He does." She tilted her head as she looked at him. "Is Jake expecting you?"

"No, he's not. I thought I'd surprise him." He smiled, and once again, that feeling of ease swept over her. No wonder Jake was fond of this man. "He doesn't know I've been transferred from St. Anselm's to St. Gideon's in Santa Fe. I didn't want to tell him until I was sure."

There was more, Evie suspected, but she didn't know what. She didn't know the man except for what Jake had told her. As she gazed at the priest, she found herself under the most intense scrutiny she'd ever received, even more intense than any look Teddy had given her. After a moment, he gave a slight nod, as if she'd passed some kind of test.

"You love him."

Heat rushed to her face. "Is it that obvious?" She laughed then admitted, "I do."

"And he loves you."

"He said as much."

Father O'Malley patted her hand. "He wouldn't say it unless he meant it, and you can trust that from someone who has known him since he was three years old."

The comment lightened her heart, but he hadn't needed to tell her Jake loved her. He showed her in so many ways. "I know Jake will be excited to see you. Let me take you to him."

"That would be lovely." He picked up a leather satchel from a chair, then joined her in the doorway. "Lead the way."

She led him through the house, stopping in the kitchen to introduce him to Hilde and Aunt Felicity, as well as to Savannah and Miguel, who were busy at the table cutting shapes in cookie dough. Ramón giggled from his highchair, completely content with his own piece of dough. Even Toughie seemed absorbed in pounding the dough on the table. Smudges of flour and bits of dough were on his face as well as in his hair.

"You have a lovely home and a beautiful family, Miss Miller," Father O'Malley said when they stepped outside to the patio, "and from what Jake wrote me, a fine ranch."

"Thank you." She smiled at him, seeing in him what Jake must have seen—a kind, gentle soul. A genuinely good man in all the ways that mattered. "And it's Evie, please."

She led him to the riding ring and stopped at the fence. Flower, the other two cats, and the dog were there as well, watching Jake who was in the middle of the ring. He was on Cinnamon's back, gently tugging on the reins and squeezing his thighs against her sides as he put the horse through her paces. There was more Cinnamon had to learn. Jake, too, for that matter, but they were learning together and doing well.

Father O'Malley laughed as he dropped the satchel beside the fence and just stood there, his hands on his hips. "Well now, will you look at that? I never thought I'd see Jake Hannigan working with horses. He always had a healthy fear of them."

"He's not afraid of them anymore. In fact, he's developed quite a fondness for them." She watched man and beast in the middle of the ring and her heart swelled. "As you can see, they respond to him very well, especially Cinnamon. It's a gift when one can communicate so well with an animal and Jake has that gift." She gestured to the cats and dog. "With them, too, especially Flower, the orange one."

"Jake always liked cats." The priest agreed as he rested his arms on the fence. "I remember the one who used to sneak into the home every night. More than once, I found that stray cat asleep on Jake's cot." A knowing look settled on his face as he turned toward her, and his voice lowered, as if imparting a secret. "The boys didn't think I knew about it, but I did."

He turned back to Jake in the ring and a satisfied sigh escaped him. "Never thought I'd see the day when that maverick would become respectable either. I never approved of his gambling."

Pride filled her, making her heart sing. "He hasn't touched a card or made a bet since he came here."

His gaze swept over her and once again, Evie felt like she was being given a test, but it didn't bother her, especially when he gave her a benevolent smile. "Perhaps he's understood something clearly at last. I think that may be because of you, but whatever the reason, I'm glad."

Her cheeks grew warm from the compliment. If she was the reason Jake never picked up a card again, she'd take it. She forced her gaze away from the priest, called Jake's name, and waved at him.

Jake turned in their direction and his smile, the one she loved to see, froze for a moment before it grew wider. He directed Cinnamon to the fence, slipped from the saddle, and crawled between the slats.

"Father! What are you doing here?"

The old priest opened his arms for a hug. "I came to see you, boyo. I have something to tell you." He laughed. "Actually, I have two things to tell you."

Evie's eyes instantly misted as the two men drew each other into a bear hug that would have broken the ribs of any other person. There was plenty of backslapping, too.

"I'm so happy to see you. It's been too long!"

"Yes, it has." The priest took a step back and blurted out, "First, the good news. You'll be seeing more of me. I've been transferred to the boys' home in Santa Fe."

Shock at the news made Jake's mouth fall open. He recovered quickly, but there was still surprise in his voice. "You've left St. Anselm's?"

"I have. After thirty-five years, I was asked to run St. Gideon's here in Santa Fe. It's a feather in my cap, to be sure." The man's expression was pure pleasure mixed with not a little pride. "I arrived only yesterday and my first thought was to see you."

"Congratulations are in order then. I'm pleased for you. The boys at St. Gideon are about to have their lives changed for the better." Jake shoved his hands in his pockets. "What's the other news? Is it just as good?"

Father O'Malley instantly sobered as sadness flitted into his bright blue eyes. "I'm afraid not, boyo."

Jake stiffened, his smile fading as a slew of emotions passed over his face. Whatever joy he'd found in Father O'Malley's visit disappeared in an instant and his face drained of color.

The priest hesitated, his eyes darting from Jake to her then back to Jake, and that feeling of dread she'd experienced earlier intensified. It could only mean one thing, but she hoped it didn't.

"It's all right, Father. Evie knows everything."

Evie moved a step closer and slipped her hand into his. She squeezed a little and gazed deeply into his eyes, but she addressed her statement to Father O'Malley, even as her stomach knotted and her mouth went dry. "And whatever it is, Jake and I will face it together."

Jake gave a slight nod then squeezed back. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, struggling for calm, though Evie could clearly feel the tension in the hand holding hers. Indeed, it looked like every muscle in his body was as taut as the strings of a violin. "It's about King, isn't it? Is he on his way here now?"

"He might be. Or he might be here already. I don't know." He looked away then turned his attention back to them, as if he didn't like what he needed to say. "He came to see me."

The panic that flashed in Jake's eyes was undeniable and he squeezed her hand a little tighter. "How did he know about you? I've kept that part of my life hidden. No one knew about the boys' home. I thought I made sure of that." He drew in a shaky breath, then let loose with rapid-fire questions, his voice as tense as his body. "What happened? How did you know it was him? Did he threaten you? Did he try to hurt you? What did you tell him?"

"He didn't threaten me at all and I didn't tell him anything."

The tension in the air was so oppressive that even Cinnamon nickered and stomped her hoof against the dirt. "So how do you know he's coming here?"

"Are you going to let me tell you or are you going to keep interrupting me?" Father O'Malley huffed, his face turning slightly red, impatience flashing in his eyes.

Jake quickly apologized, though Evie could tell how anxious he was for answers. It was there in his expression.

"About a week ago, I was upstairs in my room packing for my move here, when Sister Agnes fetched me. She said I had a visitor and that he was waiting in my study. When I went downstairs, he was sitting in that old wing-back chair—you know the one—and looking as innocent as a newborn babe." His body trembled slightly with what Evie assumed was anger and disappointment in himself.

"He introduced himself as bold as you please. Said he was wanting to make a donation to the home. If I hadn't heard his name before or knew what I did about him, I never would have suspected him of being anything other than a distinguished, wealthy gentleman. He gave me an envelope filled with cash—to my utter disgrace, I accepted it—and then he left. It wasn't until after his carriage pulled away that I realized he saw your last letter to me. It was sitting on my desk along with the money you sent, but it wasn't in the same place as I'd left it. I know he read it though I have no proof." Tears of regret and shame clogged the man's voice. "I'm sorry, boyo. He knows where you are because I was careless. It's my fault."

Sympathy for the older man flashed through her. She could see it was the same for Jake as he reached out and laid his hand on the man's shoulder. "No, Father, it's mine. I…I should never have put you in that position to begin with." He let out a long sigh. "I'm just glad he didn't hurt you. He would have, regardless of the fact that you're a priest. I know you wouldn't have told him anything."

"And I'm sure if I hadn't come down from my room when I did, I would have found my study ransacked." He reached down and grabbed the handles of valise and lifted it, a frown drawing down his bushy white eyebrows. "I thought you might need this. Now that he knows where you are, I have no doubt he'll insist on another chance to win back what he lost."

Evie studied the valise as Father O'Malley handed it to Jake. She noticed how soft the leather seemed to be, as well as the initials emblazoned on it. She also became aware of how heavy it appeared. "What's in there?"

"It's the money I won from King. Every cent of it." He accepted the bag, then glanced at her. She couldn't read the expression on his face. There was love there, certainly, but there was also dread and sadness.

"What are you going to do?" she asked, even though she was afraid of the answer.

He didn't respond, but he did look at her. Tears stung her eyes and a lump lodged in her throat. He'd leave…to protect her and the family. He'd face King, knowing that he might not survive the encounter, and she'd lose another person she loved to a gambler. Well, she wasn't going to stand for it.

"You're not leaving," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "Don't even think about it, Jake. Whatever happens, we will face it together." She looked at him, her gaze roaming over his face. "I will not lose another person I love." She held up her hand, even though he had yet to say a word. "Don't even try to argue with me."

"We'll talk about it later."

She shook her head, adamant. "No, we won't." Despite the bitter ache in her throat, she turned to Father O'Malley, forcing a smile to her lips. "Please stay for dinner, Father."

"I'm afraid I can't, my dear, but thank you for the invitation. I really need to get back to the boys' home."

"At least stay for coffee or a glass of lemonade before you go."

He accepted her invitation with a request. "Lemonade, please, if you don't mind. I really can't stay long."

"If you'll excuse me then?" She walked away, anxiety, fear, and heartbreak making each step agony.

"Extraordinary," she heard Father O'Malley exclaim.

"Yes, she is," came Jake's quick response.

Jake watched her walk away, admiring the grace of her stride he always did. His heart swelled with the love he had for her even as it broke, shattering into a million pieces. It amazed him how fast he could go from being happy to being filled with dread. How quickly his dreams of the future—with her—could die.

"What are you going to do, Jake?"

Unable to speak for a moment, he simply shook his head. "I was going to ask her to marry me."

"And now?" Father O'Malley asked, the concern in his voice nearly Jake's undoing.

Again, Jake shook his head. "I can't."

"You love her."

"I do. So much so that I can't do this to her." His attention flew to Evie as she brought a tray with a pitcher of lemonade and glasses to the table, then disappeared back inside the house, her steps slow as if a heavy weight had settled on her shoulders. She was scared, he knew—he'd felt the trembling in her hand when she held his—knowing that King might be here, knowing what that meant. Guilt and anger raged through him. He had done that to her and it wasn't right.

"I am sorry, boyo."

"It's not your fault. It's mine. All mine. And I accept responsibility. I should never have gambled with King. I knew better. I knew his reputation, knew what he was a capable of." He clenched his hands into fists, his short nails digging into the soft flesh of his palms. "I should never have fallen in love with her either."

"I don't see how you could have helped yourself. She's a lovely woman…and probably much stronger than you give her credit for."

He had no doubts about that. Evie was strong…look at all that she had accomplished, but this…this was different. She'd never dealt with a ruthless, relentless man before, one who didn't take no for an answer, one who wouldn't hesitate to kill.

The sound of horse's hooves pounding into the barnyard startled him. Already the threat of King was having an effect on him. Would he jump at every shadow now? Every noise? He relaxed, the tension seeping out of him, when he saw that it was Teddy—not King—riding into the yard, leading a young pitch-black colt behind him. "If you'll excuse me, Father."

Father O'Malley followed his line of sight. "Of course. Who is that young man?"

"Evie's nephew. Teddy. I have to tell him what you've told me. About King."

"He's the angry one you mentioned in your letters, correct?" The priest's eyes radiated sympathy. So did the expression on his face. "I understand. Do you want me to come with you?"

Jake shook his head, already feeling the tension rising up in him again. "Thank you, Father, but this is something I need to do myself. I won't be surprised if I find myself knocked on my a—behind."

"As you wish, son." Father O'Malley nodded toward the patio, where Evie was settling into her seat at the little table. "I'll just be getting to know your Miss Evie a little better. I think I'll enjoy that. She is an extraordinary woman."

He watched the priest stroll toward the patio and take the seat on the other side of the table, across from Evie. The smile on her face, though warm and inviting for Father O'Malley, was just a fa?ade, and she would keep it up until they could have a moment alone together. He dreaded that conversation almost as much as he dreaded the one he had to have with Teddy.

Jake turned his attention to Evie's nephew. Already the pain in his chest, around his heart, made breathing in and out more difficult, but he couldn't put it off. Waiting wouldn't change anything. King was here—or soon to be. The summons to sit across the poker table from him so he could win back his money was inevitable. So was the bullet meant for his heart.

Jake put one foot in front of the other and headed toward the man who'd become a friend, though he doubted that budding friendship would survive this.

Teddy grinned at him. "Afternoon, Jake." He gestured toward the colt. "Meet your next project. What do you think?"

"He's magnificent. What's his name?"

Teddy shrugged. "I haven't named him yet."

Jake smoothed his hand over the colt's nose and looked deeply into the horse's eyes. "If you're taking suggestions, I think Midnight would suit him."

"Excellent choice." He handed Jake the rope. "Midnight it is." He moved toward one of the smaller paddocks, tied Soldier Boy's reins to the fence, then opened the gate. Jake led Midnight into the corral, and removed the rope from around his neck, allowing the colt to run free within the enclosure. He joined Teddy at the gate and leaned his arms on the fence, his gaze on Midnight.

"Look at the way he runs." Once again, his jaw clenched as an overwhelming sadness filled him. It would have been a pleasure to train this colt.

"That's why I chose him. He's got heart."

After a moment, Jake cleared his throat and glanced at Teddy. "I need to talk to you."

Before Jake could utter a word, voices drifted to them from the patio. Both men turned at the same time.

"Who's that man with Tia Evie?"

Jake focused on the patio where Evie sat with Father O'Malley, his eyes misting just a bit to see the woman he loved with the man who held such affection in his heart. "That's Father O'Malley."

Teddy turned toward him, surprise making his eyes widen. "Your Father O'Malley?"

"Yes."

"What's he doing here?" On the heels of the question, suspicion lowered his brows in an instant and pulled down the corners of his mouth. "Is it that King person you told me about? Is he coming here?"

"Unfortunately, yes. He might be in Serenity already."

Teddy's stare was as intense as Jake had ever seen it. "What are you going to do?"

Jake couldn't get the words to come.

"You're leaving. Because of King."

Jake nodded though it broke his heart. He didn't want to leave—he loved the ranch—more importantly, he loved Evie, but he didn't have very many choices. King would come for him. Or summon him for the opportunity to win his money back. It wouldn't be a friendly invitation. The odds Jake would walk away from the encounter unscathed didn't seem likely.

"What about Tia Evie? She loves you. She'll be devastated if you leave."

"She could be hurt if I stay. Any of you could. It's too dangerous for me to stay here." He couldn't bring himself to utter the word ‘die,' though he was well aware that was a very distinct possibility. "—if King holds true to form."

"So you think he'll just ride out to the ranch and shoot you?"

"That isn't King's way. No, he'll demand that we meet and play cards so he can win his money back, but even once he wins…that's when he'd shoot me."

"Do you still have the money you won from him?"

"I do." He pointed to the black valise leaning against a fence post, the one he should have put away as soon as Father O'Malley handed it to him.

Teddy glanced at the bag then back at him and shrugged. "Then just give it to him."

"I tried that, too." Jake's body stiffened, every muscle taut. "Several times. He refused my offers and started harassing my housekeeper so badly, she quit. Left ‘invitations' on the table inside my entry hall so I'd know he was there in my house. When that didn't work, he resorted to burning my house to the ground." He shook his head. "It's King's ego. He has to win."

"So you're going to leave, going to allow him to win, whether you play cards or not."

"I don't see where I have very many choices."

Teddy shook his head, then stared so fiercely at him, Jake felt the intensity of it all the way to the pit of his stomach. "I thought I told you once before that Silvas don't run from trouble, that we'd stand beside you."

Gratitude made his throat close. That Teddy, and the rest of the family, would stand up for him, help him, overwhelmed him. "You did. And I appreciate that, but…"

"But what?"

Jake shook his head. He wasn't going to win this argument. He knew it. Teddy knew it, too. "So what am I supposed to do? Just wait for King to make his move? To force my hand?"

"In a word, yes, but until he does, we'll have time to figure something out." Teddy smiled suddenly, which was unusual considering the circumstances. " Tia Evie always taught us that there was a solution to every problem. I'm sure there is for this one, too. Tonight, after Heath and Esteban come in from the summer pasture, we'll all sit down and discuss it. Antonio and Uncle Charley, too. Hell, we'll call a family meeting after the children are asleep and we'll come up with a plan."

Emotion choked him, so much so that he could hardly speak. "I don't know what to say."

Teddy clapped him on the back. " Thank you will suffice."

She liked Father O'Malley. She really did. He seemed like a kind and gentle soul, but she wished he'd never come to Monta?a del Trueno…especially not with the news he delivered. King was here or soon to be, and she knew exactly what that meant. Jake would leave, whether she wanted him to or not, either to avoid him or to confront him, and possibly lose his life. Neither option was acceptable.

She stared at Father O'Malley's departing back until the dust of his passage settled back to earth. Unshed tears stung her eyes and she drew in a shuddering breath. She raised her eyes to the heavens. "I will not lose another person I love to a damned gambler."

Jake was seated in one of the patio chairs when she approached him. He tried to look relaxed, as if neither one of them had received devastating news, but it was all an act. She could see how tense he was, his muscles taut, and though he smiled at her, it wasn't the same charming grin she'd come to know.

"You're leaving," she stated without any preamble, though the words had to be forced from her throat. "Whether I want you to or not."

He shook his head as he stood. "No, I'm not, but I will answer King's call when it comes. I won't have a choice. I'd rather meet him somewhere away from here than have him come to the ranch."

Her heart was so heavy in her chest it seemed as if it was hardly beating at all. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. "He'll kill you."

Jake opened his arms.

She stepped into his warm embrace and rested her head against his chest. His heart beat strong, a steady rhythm that was somehow comforting. His voice rumbled from deep in his chest when he finally spoke. "I won't let that happen, Evie." She found solace in his embrace for the moment, but she knew it wouldn't last.

"We'll figure a way out of this, Evie. Teddy's calling a family meeting tonight." He dropped a kiss to the top of her head. "It'll be all right."

Even as he said the words, she knew they were untrue. She lifted her head from his chest and stared deeply into his eyes. He wore that charming smile she fell in love with, but behind it, she clearly saw his worry, like he didn't believe the words he said either. She said nothing, though her heart ached, determined to keep the illusion alive…for a little while at least…and simply held him tighter.