“I like you better when you’re frightened less.”
The sentence struck her unexpectedly.
Bella looked at him.
Nathan seemed to realize he had said too much.
He turned away.
She did not.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
“You said you like me better.”
“I said I like you better when you’re less frightened.”
“That still includes the words like and me.”
Nathan looked back.
For the first time that morning, the most feared rancher in Wyoming appeared uncomfortable.
Bella almost smiled.
Then the bedroom door opened without a knock.
Nathan moved instantly.
He stepped between Bella and the door.
One hand went toward the revolver at his belt.
Mrs. Donnelly stopped in the doorway.
She was sixty-two, gray-haired, solidly built, and completely unimpressed by Nathan Drake.
She held a breakfast tray.
“You look ridiculous.”
Nathan lowered his hand.
“Good morning to you too.”
Her eyes moved to Bella.
Then the pill in Nathan’s hand.
Her expression sharpened.
“You told her.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Bella stared.
“You knew?”
Mrs. Donnelly placed the tray down.
“I am the one who called the doctor three weeks ago.”
Bella looked at Nathan.
He shrugged.
“Apparently I live in a democracy.”
“You live because I ignore you.”
Mrs. Donnelly looked at Bella.
“Eat.”
Bella blinked.
“I’m not hungry.”
“That has never prevented breakfast from being useful.”
Bella smiled faintly.
Nathan took the coffee.
Mrs. Donnelly slapped his hand.
“No.”
He stared.
“What?”
“You drink nothing I didn’t make.”
Nathan looked offended.
Bella almost laughed.
Mrs. Donnelly poured coffee from a fresh pot.
Then looked between them.
“I assume we have another problem.”
Nathan said:
“Someone may know Bella received money.”
Mrs. Donnelly’s expression changed.
Bella noticed.
Nathan did too.
“What?”
The older woman hesitated.
Then sighed.
“Victor asked about her this morning.”
The room went still.
“What exactly?”
“He asked why she was upstairs.”
Bella’s stomach tightened.
Mrs. Donnelly continued.
“I said the rain trapped her and she slept in a guest room.”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed.
“He knew she was upstairs?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I assumed Paul told him.”
Bella thought of the hallway.
The towels.
The way Paul Mercer avoided meeting her eyes when he gave her the instructions.
Nathan looked at Bella.
She was already thinking the same thing.
Paul.
“Where is he?” Nathan asked.
“Stable yard.”
Nathan reached for his coat.
Bella stepped forward.
“I’m coming.”
“No.”
She stared.
He corrected himself again.
“I would prefer you stay here.”
“That is not better.”
“It is slightly better.”
“You said somebody may think I know something.”
“Yes.”
“Then I would rather know what I supposedly know.”
Nathan stared at her.
Mrs. Donnelly smiled faintly.
“I like her.”
Nathan ignored that.
Bella folded her arms again.
This time she did not lower them.
“I am coming.”
Nathan exhaled.
“Fine.”
Mrs. Donnelly handed Bella a thick robe.
“Then eat while walking.”
Paul Mercer was gone.
His horse was gone too.
No one had seen him leave.
Nathan stood outside the stable examining an empty stall.
Bella remained several feet away.
Morning had fully arrived.
Ranch hands moved across the property.
None came too close.
Nathan’s presence created space naturally.
Bella had always believed it was fear.
Now she wondered how much of it he encouraged deliberately.
“Did Paul sleep here?” she asked.