“That is not a simple fall.”
“No.”
“Can you move fingers?”
“A little.”
“Did doctor see?”
“No.”
“Of course not.”
She fetched water.
Clean cloth.
A splint Samuel had once used after breaking two fingers.
Jonah watched.
“You know what you’re doing?”
“I have livestock.”
“That is not reassuring.”
“Your choice is me or three-day ride to doctor.”
“You.”
The word came too quickly.
Their eyes met.
Jonah looked away first.
Evelyn tried not to notice warmth under her ribs.
She cleaned his hand.
He did not complain.
Until she pressed near wrist.
He hissed.
“Broken.”
“Probably.”
“You’re very comforting.”
“Would you prefer lie?”
“No.”
“Good.”
She adjusted splint.
When she tied final cloth, Jonah looked at her hands.
The wire cut had bled through.
“You need yours cleaned.”
“I’m fine.”
“You say that like it means something.”
Evelyn frowned.
“What?”
“People who are fine don’t usually bleed through bandages.”
She pulled her hand back.
“I have work.”
“So do I.”
“You have one hand.”
“You have one injured.”
“We make one functioning person.”
She almost laughed.
Jonah’s eyes softened.
Then he said:
“About your proposal.”
Every muscle in Evelyn’s body tightened.
“That was before the receipt.”
“I know.”
“It was desperation.”
“I know.”
“You will forget it.”
“If you want.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
Something in his face disappointed her.
Ridiculous.
She had known him an hour.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You made a face.”
“I’m tired.”
“That was not tired.”
Jonah lifted his good hand.
“Miss Hart, I have learned enough today not to argue with a woman holding splint.”
“Smart.”
He smiled.
She hated how much she noticed.
That night, Jonah slept in bunkroom attached to barn.
Evelyn told him he could take her father’s old room.
He refused.
“I’m stranger.”
“You are injured.”
“Still stranger.”
“You may freeze.”
“Barn has stove.”
She studied him.
Most men who came to Hart Ranch acted as if crossing Evelyn’s threshold was a favor to her.
Jonah treated her home as something requiring permission.
“Fine.”
She gave blankets.
At door he paused.
“Lock house.”
“I always do.”
“From inside.”
“I know how lock works.”
“Crowell may know I came.”
Evelyn’s irritation vanished.
“You think he will send someone?”
“I think men do foolish things when money is nearly theirs.”
“Then why sleep barn?”
Jonah looked toward darkness.
“Because if somebody comes through gate, they meet me first.”
Before she could answer, he walked away.
Evelyn locked door.
Then stood behind it far too long.
She did not sleep much.