Jacob’s handsome face split into a grin. “Then walking it is.” He motioned for Daisy to lead the way.
Lilly walked slowly as the other two hurried forward. She watched as Daisy skipped ahead. The little girl darted about looking for the prettiest flowers. She grinned as Daisy sniffed at each blossom.
Jacob glanced over his shoulder at her and slowed his pace.
When he came even with her, he said, “I think we need to talk.”
Lilly nodded. “I do, too. Now that you know about your mother and Daisy, what are your plans? Have they changed?” She felt the air catch in her throat and her heart pound against her chest as she waited for his answer.
“Nothing has changed, Lilly. My plans are to continue to work for the Pony Express and get to know my sister.” He looked to where Daisy tugged at a stubborn flower and grinned at her determination to uproot the plant.
She swallowed hard. “What if the Pony Express decides not to run this way any longer? Then what?”
Jacob stopped walking and turned to her. “Why don’t you ask me what you really want to know?” He pushed his brown hat back on his head and waited for her to answer.
Lilly inhaled deeply. “All right. Will you try to take Daisy away from the ranch, and me?” She felt the sting of tears burn her eyes but refused to shed them. Losing Daisy wasn’t an option and she would fight him, if need be.
“Never.”
His strength in the way he said “never” surprised her. She waited for him to continue. When it became obvious he wasn’t going to say anything more, Lilly asked, “You do realize that she owns half this ranch, don’t you?”
“Yep.”
Again with the one answer. Lilly sighed. “Jacob, I need you to talk to me. Giving me one word at a time isn’t talking.”
“No, I reckon it isn’t, but will you believe me if I say more?” Jacob folded his arms across his chest and waited, chin up and jawline taut.
Lilly looked away, unable to meet his gaze. She saw Daisy almost at the top of the small hill. In a few minutes she would be out of sight. “Daisy! Wait for us!” Lilly called to her. Then she turned to Jacob. “Is your word any good?”
Jacob answered without so much as a pause. “As good as yours, I suppose.” He gave an impatient shrug then leaned toward her, a determined look on his strong features. “All I’m asking for is a chance to get to know my sister. I have no intentions of taking her away from you or this ranch. And to answer your earlier question, yes, I figured she owned half the ranch since her father has two daughters. The ranch belongs to you two, I want no part of the ownership of it.”
Lilly studied him, aware that Daisy waited for them at the top of the hill.
She nodded. Peace filled her as she asked the Lord if she should trust him. Instead of telling him that she felt relief from her worries, Lilly said, “I believe you.”
He offered her a warm smile. “Good. I want to be a part of her life.” Jacob turned toward the hill. “We better get going or she’s going to come get us.”
She laughed. “True.”
As they climbed he asked, “Have you thought about sending her to school this fall?”
Lilly nodded. “Yes, but I’m not sure she’s ready yet.”
“Why not?” Puzzlement filled his voice.
“She’s young and full of energy. I wonder if she’d be too active to pay attention to the teacher.” Lilly knew how hard it was for Daisy to sit still. Attending church on Sundays depended on how active Daisy seemed that morning.
“Well, then wait a year. I think she needs an education, but starting her too early may not be the best thing for her.” He glanced Lilly’s way.
How did he know that’s what she’d been thinking? Daisy would mature more in the year she spent at home and Lilly intended to work with her on being still and listening. Maybe having him around wouldn’t be so bad after all. If they continued to think along the same lines, Daisy would have two people who loved her and were doing what they thought best for her.
Lilly topped the hill. The small family cemetery rested below. Tall trees shaded the graves and not far away the meadow opened up and allowed the wildlife to roam free within its grasses. It was a peaceful spot. She came here at times to talk to her papa about the running of the ranch. Lilly knew he wasn’t really here, but it gave her peace and at times she needed all the peace she could get.
Daisy smiled up at Jacob. “Race you to the bottom.” And then she was off and running.
Jacob took off after her.
Lilly stood where she was. Right now everything felt right. But she knew it wasn’t. She hadn’t forgotten that several days earlier someone had taken Daisy from her bed and left her in a ravine, where she could have been trampled by stampeding cattle.
A shiver ran down her spine. Would Daisy ever be safe? Could she trust Jacob to protect their sister? The question that troubled her the most was, why would anyone want to hurt Daisy?
Unease crept up into Jacob’s hairline. He sensed more than saw someone watching them. Daisy had laid her flowers on both graves and stood looking down at them. He realized that the little girl really hadn’t known either of her parents. A protective sensation raced through his veins and he looked to Lilly.
Was it his imagination or had she, too, detected someone was watching them? Her gaze darted about the area as if searching. Jacob said in a low voice, “If you two are ready, we should probably get back.”
Lilly nodded.
“But we just got here,” Daisy protested. “I want to play in the meadow.”
Lilly’s voice sounded tense as she said, “Not today.”
“But...”
Jacob spoke before she could finish. “I thought you wanted to see the kittens.” His reminder had the effect he hoped for.
Daisy’s face lit up. “I’ll race you back.” She started to turn and run but Jacob caught her around the waist and held her tight.
“Not this time.” His gaze returned to Lilly. She stood with her hands on her hips, frowning at Daisy.
“Let me go.” Daisy struggled in his arms. Her laughter assured him that his sister wasn’t afraid of him but had assumed he was playing with her.
“I think it’s time you slowed down and listened to your elders,” Lilly told the protesting Daisy.
Immediately the little girl stilled. “Are you angry with me, Lilly?”
Lilly’s gaze darted around once more before she focused on
