Pony Express Hero. Rhonda Gibson

sounds wonderful.” Jacob’s stomach growled, as if it was in total agreement.

      A giggle burst from Daisy’s lips. “Mr. Jacob, your tummy is talking.”

      He shook his head. “Not as well as you.”

      Daisy handed her stockings and boots to Lilly. “Will you help me, please?”

      Jacob looked to Lilly. “I’m amazed at how well she talks.”

      She smiled as she slipped a sock onto Daisy’s foot. “That’s because we have never talked baby talk to her.”

      “I’m not a baby,” Daisy told him with a grin.

      He laughed. “No, you are not.” Jacob shook his head. “I’ll go round up the horses.”

      Jacob found them both munching on grass just inside the tree line. He heard Daisy giggle and looked back to see Lilly tickling the little girl. His heart tugged in his chest at the sight.

      If someone was going to hurt Daisy, they’d have to go through him. He’d vowed to watch over the little girl and he’d do just that. No man, or woman for that matter, was going to hurt that sweet child.

      Lilly looked up and met his gaze. Her eyes were gentle and contemplative. He felt a curious swooping pull at his innards.

      Jacob realized then that his promise included Lilly. If anyone hurt Daisy, they’d also be hurting Lilly. His instincts told him that she was a kind person. Her sympathy for him when he’d told her about his upbringing had been sincere. And Jacob knew he’d not let either of them be hurt.

      He just prayed he’d not lose his heart in his desire to protect them both. Jacob had no intention of falling in love, like Seth and Rebecca had. Women couldn’t be trusted not to abandon those they claimed to love the most. His mother had proven that. No, he’d harden that part of his heart and still keep his promise.

      He ignored the tiny voice that whispered to him that his adopted mother, Rebecca, had been a woman of integrity. She’d not abandoned her duties even though she was very young. Lilly was also young and she’d managed to take the care of her sister seriously. Jacob pushed the last thought aside. He didn’t want to admire Lilly in any way or fashion.

      * * *

      Lilly waited as Jacob lifted Daisy onto her horse, then she mounted up behind her. Jacob paused while she settled into the saddle then climbed onto his horse, shifting until he was comfortable. He treated her like a gentleman treated a lady. It was hard not to be impressed when his manners toward her and Daisy were so thoughtful. There wasn’t a lot of gallantry found this far west of the Mississippi so Jacob’s actions were like a warm summer’s rain during the hottest part of the day. Lilly realized she wanted to trust him. Could she afford to?

      He’d opened his life up for her to view. Had he expected her to do the same? Tell him about her childhood? How her father had married a woman who was supposed to love her but had only despised her? Share how they’d both died and how Daisy had been her responsibility since she was born? Loneliness and confusion mingled together in one huge surge of yearning. How she longed for someone to share her life with—the joys, sorrows, even the mundane everyday living. Right now her future looked vague and shadowy. Lord, please, she thought in silent prayer. Send my other half, my partner. Someone I can trust to love me for myself and not for the ranch. I’m tired of doing this alone.

      As they returned to the house, she listened to Daisy chatter about the birds, flowers, tall grass and other things that flitted through her young mind. Jacob laughed at her funny expressions and words. Almost without a second thought, Lilly decided to trust him, and to do so she’d need to share a part of their life, too.

      Caleb met them as they arrived at the barn. “Miss Daisy, the cat had her kittens. Would you like to see them?”

      Daisy squealed and leaped into the boy’s arms. “Oh, yes!” She waited for him to lower her to the ground and then clasped his hand. “Where are they?”

      He kneeled down beside her. “In the back stall but you can’t go running in there. She’s a new mama and might be nervous. We have to go in quietly and not talk too loudly. Also, don’t touch the babies today. We’ll hold them when they are a little older and their mama isn’t as skittish as she is today. All right?”

      Her blond head bobbed her agreement.

      Caleb stood. “Miss Lilly, would you like to see them, too?”

      Lilly smiled. “Not right now.” She watched them walk hand in hand to the barn. Was Caleb trustworthy? Had the young man taken her sister into the ravine? As she climbed down from her horse, she gnawed at her bottom lip.

      Jacob took the reins from her hands and smiled. “Can you believe that boy threatened me this morning?”

      Her face went from worry to shock.

      An easy laugh spilled from Jacob. “Oh, not how you’re thinking. But in his own way. Caleb told me that anyone who hurt Daisy would answer to him. In other words, don’t hurt her because I love her like a little sister.”

      Lilly felt the emotions drain from her body. She’d gone from confusion, to worry, to shock in just a matter of minutes. At this rate she’d be emotionally exhausted by nightfall.

      He pulled the horses over to the large water trough beside the barn, his shoulders hunched and powerful. They were broad and maybe strong enough to support the dread and fears that filled her heart as she worried about Daisy.

      “Thank you for sharing your past with me.” She rubbed her horse’s neck as it drank from the fresh water. “I grew up on this ranch. It’s all I know and all I want to know.” Lilly thought about her little sister in the barn.

      Jacob leaned against the barn and smiled. “Sounds like a nice childhood.”

      She grinned. “It was. Mama died when I was about Daisy’s age. I remember her soft smile, warm smell and gentle hugs.”

      “I’m sorry for your loss.” Jacob had crossed his legs and now rubbed the toe of his boot against the other. She wondered if he looked at the boots to avoid seeing sorrow in her eyes.

      “Thank you. Then when I was ten, Papa decided I needed a mother’s touch and married my stepmother.” She laughed and heard the bitterness in it. “I know he meant well, but she was not mother material.”

      “And now, your childhood isn’t sounding so nice.” His warm brown eyes, gentle and contemplative, looked into hers, inviting her to continue.

      “Oh, it was nice. But, I grew up at the age of ten. Gertrude made sure of that. When Pa was away, I cooked, cleaned and was treated like the hired help.” Lilly fell silent as the memories took over. She hated those years of her life.

      His silence reminded her that Jacob still listened patiently. “But five years ago, all that changed. Gertrude had Daisy. She died shortly after that but left Papa and me with a beautiful baby. Daisy has been my life ever since. I love her as if she was my child instead of my sister.” She realized how silly that must sound to him and giggled. “Well, you know what I mean.” Lilly felt heat fill her face.

      Jacob remained silent; his hat shadowed his face so Lilly wasn’t sure of his expression. Had her story made him think that she’d been too silly in her love for Daisy?

      He must have sensed her watching him because Jacob looked up again. A spark of some indefinable emotion crossed his features, but he spoke in a gentle, soft voice. “I’m sorry. Did your father leave after your stepmother died?”

      Lilly realized he must have assumed that he’d abandoned her and Daisy like his mother had him. “No, he had a riding accident that broke his neck and killed him instantly.” Sorrow filled her heart. Even after four years she still felt her loss cut through her like a two-edged sword.

      “So you’ve been taking care of Daisy and running this ranch on your own?” He pushed away from the barn.

      Lilly nodded.