A Heart's Blessing - Linda Ford Page 0,31

he’d overheard her say those words, but he decided it would ruin the moment. “I’d say it’s all to my advantage.”

“How’s that?”

“I get fed good here. The last meal I had at home was a can of cold beans and a can of peaches.” He grinned at the way she grimaced and then added, “Eaten right out of the can.”

She shook her head, but little smile lines creased the edges of her eyes. “Good thing Hilda isn’t here. She’d be shocked clear to the soles of her feet. Like you said, we won’t likely have customers, but that doesn’t mean we won’t feed you.” She slanted a look at him that he guessed was both teasing and challenging. “Seems the least we can do.”

He stared after her. The least they could do? Or would do? Feed the man, then hope he goes home. Well, he’d made it clear he didn’t intend to leave until there remained no threat from thieves.

And she hadn’t argued, which he accepted as progress.

Progress for what? It wasn’t as if he was trying to win her approval, right?

Delcie hurried to the kitchen and leaned on the worktable. Thankfully, Laura hadn’t overheard the conversation. What had just happened? She’d almost told him about her suspicions regarding him, but then they suddenly seemed petty. It felt a lot like she had crossed some sort of invisible line. And despite her resolve to keep men—all men—at bay, it had been kind of fun to make him think they had to put up with him. Of course, that was how she felt. She’d send him home this very moment if she didn’t need his help with the preacher. She and Laura were perfectly capable of taking care of themselves and the children.

Laura came from the bedroom and left the door open a crack so they could hear the children. She stood close to Delcie and spoke softly. “I don’t care to have a man staying here, but under the circumstances, I’m grateful for it right now. Even if we don’t know if he’s up to no good.”

It was the reminder Delcie needed. She’d seen him sneaking around the yard. She had only his side of the story about his brother’s murder charge. She shivered. He might even be the one who’d been accused. Maybe he was hiding from the law.

She shook her head. Willow Creek was no place to hide from the law. Not with the Mountie stationed here. And he would know if Mr. Remington was a wanted man. Still, she must be careful who she trusted. It was a lesson she didn’t care to repeat. Couldn’t afford to repeat, because it put the children at risk.

She and Laura made supper and served the meal.

“Good food,” Mr. Remington said, and grinned at Delcie. The grin landed in her heart with the gentleness of butterfly wings. Made a smile start there. She tried to keep it from reaching her lips, but it tugged at the corners of her mouth. She ducked her head in the hopes none of them would notice.

She kept her attention on the children for the rest of the meal. Both were restless because of having been confined to the house for much of the day. She must do something to amuse them after the meal.

The dishes were done, and Mr. Remington was sitting with the preacher when she asked the children if they wanted to play hide-and-seek.

“Outside?”

“How about in the dining room? You two hide and I’ll come find you.”

They trotted away, happy to be able to play. She hadn’t meant to neglect them of late but with the preacher there, Hilda gone, and Mr. Remington—

Never mind Mr. Remington. He didn’t require any of her attention.

“Ready or not, here I come.” The dining room was almost dark, full of shadows that made it difficult to see anyone. If not for the locked door she might have found the gloom frightening. But knowing the door had been locked and the blinds drawn made her feel safe. And although she hated to admit it, knowing Mr. Remington was a few steps away helped.

She found Sally hiding behind a chair and scooped her up, reveling in the child’s delighted laughter. Together they tiptoed around the room until they found Kent under a table.

“Again, again,” Sally shouted so Delcie returned to the kitchen and waited for them to hide.

More laughter as she found them.

“Again,” Sally said.

Delcie went to the kitchen to count. “Here I come.”

Sally was already giggling.

Mr. Remington joined