Luke’s Runaway Bride by Kate Bridges Page A

time and join you all for dinner. Maybe even in the saloon.”
    Jenny sagged with disappointment.
    Luke stood up and walked to the door. His face had lost its harshness. “If you’d like to go to the saloon,” he said, removing his hat from its peg, “I’ll take you.”
    He was being charming again, and that was when she distrusted him most. At least when he was mad, she knew how to read him. Her eyes narrowed. “You’d take me now?”
    “If you like,” he answered, in that easygoing manner that made him so appealing, that made her insides so jumbled. “You could stay overnight with Olivia there, if that’d make you feel more comfortable. We’ve got hotel rooms on the upper floor.”
    Oh, heavens yes, she couldn’t think of anything better. Spending the night in a crass saloon… Stalling, she slid the coffee cups into the soapy water in the basin.
    “I expect the saloon’s where Daniel will show up first,” Luke added. “His train arrives in the morning, around eleven.”
    Did Luke actually think she’d keep her mouth shut and wait patiently for Daniel to arrive? Luke thought so damn highly of himself. Never mind Daniel’s arrival. If she met up with Olivia, they’d escape out that saloon door so fast…. “If I go with you, you wouldn’t force…take me anywhere else, would you?”
    Daisy laughed. “Where on earth would he take you?”
    Where? The back of a boxcar. Down an alley with a gun pointed between her shoulder blades. Thrown onto a horse. “Let me help Daisy with the dishes, and I’ll—I’ll think about it.”
    “Don’t be silly, I’ll finish the dishes,” Daisy said with a nod to the door. “Let Luke show you the rest of the ranch. Go on. No guest of ours is gonna do any dishes.”
    Jenny was not going anywhere alone with him. She crouched down beside Adam. “Will you come with us for a walk?”
    “Okay,” he said, skipping out to the porch, making Jenny feel safer. “I could show you the new foal.”
    “Yeah,” added Luke, stepping into the sunshine and tugging on the brim of his hat. “Come protect Jenny,” he said softly beside her shoulder, causing her pulse to ripple. “Tell me, it is me you don’t trust, or yourself?”
    Stepping back, she gaped at him. “I’ve never met a man with such arrogance.”
    “You’re changing the subject.” He smiled a devilish grin and her stomach fluttered. He hollered into the yard, “Wait up, Adam, we’re coming.” Luke focused his smoky gaze back on her. “After you.” He swept the air in a mocking gesture of chivalry. He was anything but chivalrous. He was a scoundrel.
    She crossed her arms and trailed behind the boy, down the grassy path to the stables. “I don’t know why you’re bothering to show me around. I don’t plan on staying.”
    “Did Daniel ever tell you about this ranch?”
    “No. Why should he?”
    “Because this is where he grew up. Where we both grew up.”
    She stared up at Luke in surprise.
    “When his folks passed on, Daisy and Nathaniel bought it from him. They were trying to help him raise capital for his surveying business. They paid a pretty penny for it, but at least Daniel got what he needed.”
    His sarcasm wasn’t lost on her.
    Another thing Daniel had kept from her. She glanced up at the hills. Why hadn’t Daniel told her about any of this? “Why did you bring me here?”
    “Before I tell you, I want to give you something.”
    She had to run to keep up with his long strides. “I’m tired of these games. What’s this all about?”
    They stepped into the stable. He slipped into one of the empty stalls, reaching for something tucked high between the boards. He came back with something in his hand, something she couldn’t see. “I’m going to give you something so you’ll believe I’m telling you the truth. I want you to trust me.”
    “If you can make that happen, you’re a magician.”
    “Call it magic, then.” Extending his hand, he unfolded his palm, offering a shiny little