The Escort - By Gina Robinson Page 0,59

you saved me. It's the truth, after all."

He reached over and pulled her close to him so fast it took her by complete surprise. He spoke directly into her face. "You're free now, but I'm not. Not with the Valley being a virtual powder keg on the verge of exploding. Maybe not ever." He took her chin in his hand.

"I have nothing to offer a wife—no fortune, just hard work and dreams. Not much more than a jaded heart and a life of hard work. I can't ask you to make that sacrifice, Angel. You'd be best off taking what money you have and heading back to New York. Surely there you can find a replacement husband worthy of you."

She stared at him open mouthed. "At least you have a dream. That's more than I've ever had. I never expected wealth. I was raised to accept a life of hard work." He couldn't be pushing her away. She wouldn't let him.

"But you should be able to expect your husband to keep you safe, not put you in danger." He spoke cryptically, dancing around the edge of truth.

"I don't want to go back to New York." She didn't want to leave him. "May says a woman in Idaho can do just about anything that she wants. I have a job with the Colonel at the Fuller House that's as good as any that I could get in New York. And in case you haven't noticed, there are plenty of men here who are looking for wives." Her hurt forced out the last words. Why couldn't he see that she didn't care for anything but him? She'd face any danger for a life with him.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her up the tunnel. "The tour's over."

At surface level, birds chirped and the sun continued to shine despite the sad state of Angelina's heart. Tonio took her to a campsite not far from the opening of the mine.

"There is something that I want to give you before you go." He rifled through one of his bags.

Angelina thought that he meant to give her necklace back. She missed it. She wanted it. But she wanted Tonio, too. He was the man of her heart. Why couldn't he see that?

Tonio pulled out his stiletto, which gleamed in the sunlight. "Ever used a knife?"

She shuddered, surprised and repulsed. She hated knives, not kitchen knives, only deadly weapon knives. "No, and I don't intend to. Why would I need such a thing?"

"For protection. If you're going to stay in Wallace for even another day, I'm going to insist that you learn how to protect yourself."

He grabbed her hand and thrust the stiletto into it. With his hand firmly over hers, he demonstrated a few thrusts into the open air. His nearness distracted her. But the look in his eyes, when she dared to look away from the knife and at him, was deadly, not longing as she'd hoped.

"Have you ever knifed anyone?" she asked.

"What do you think? I was a soldier at war, Angelina. I did far worse just to survive."

"But I am not at war. Why would I need a knife?"

"Because you don't know how to use a gun and I don't have time to teach you. Anyone can use a knife. You're a beautiful young woman. This is rough country."

Their hands were still locked together with the knife between them. Angelina did not wish to part. "I don't want this knife."

"You're damn well going to have it." He handed her a leather pouch. "And the holster, too. Wear it strapped under your bodice or your skirt. Keep it where you can reach it if you should need it."

"I told you, I don't need it."

"I hope not." He took her by the arm. "I'll give you a ride to Burke."

"This is your stiletto, Tonio. What will you do without it?"

"Fortunately, I know how to use a gun."

She stopped him. "You still have my necklace?"

Tonio paused. "Yes. How thoughtless of me—you probably want it back."

She shook her head. "No. I want you to keep it for me. Keep it somewhere safe. For now, I will safeguard your stiletto and you will protect my necklace."

"Deal," he said. "You know that you could sell that necklace and have your passage home? It's your ticket out of here and back into the bosom of your family."

"I know, but I would never sell my grandma's treasure. That is not what she intended."

He didn't argue. "It's your decision. If you ever