her eyes. She hid it quickly and bent to pet the dog on the head. Soft, loving strokes. Jack liked her for that alone.
“Ben and I go way back. I saw him a few months ago. He rented the place, paid for a full year, but never said when to expect you. He called a few days ago, said you might show up soon. I guess you’re here.” She wasn’t exactly what he expected.
“I am. Would you please tell me how to get to your place? Perhaps you have the keys, or someone at the ranch can give them to me.”
“You look like you’re about to fall over, why don’t you sit down.”
“I really just want to get to the cabin. I need some sleep.”
“Looks like you need a hospital,” he coaxed in a soft voice.
Her eyes pleaded with him. “Mr. Turner, please. Directions to the cabin, that’s all I want.” The fragility in her voice tore at his heart.
“Follow Sally and me back to the ranch. We’ll get you settled. And it’s Jack. Call me Jack.”
“I don’t want to cut your supper short, Jack.”
“No trouble. I’ll take the rest of my food to go, and we’ll get you to the ranch.” He asked Mary to box up his meal. She made quick work of the job and handed over his lunch.
Jack exited the booth and stood up tall in front of her. Just to see her reaction, he took a step toward her. She took two quick steps back. Sally stayed in front of her. Just what he thought, she was afraid of him—men. His anger flashed, and he narrowed his eyes. Some man did this to her. For reasons he didn’t want to identify, tenderness welled in his heart. She reminded him of a wounded bird. Skinny as one, too. Great legs from what he glimpsed below the flowered skirt. As wrinkled as she appeared, he guessed she’d been on the road a long time.
He took another step toward her. She took one back, Sally keeping pace with her.
“Don’t worry. I won’t touch you.” He dropped his voice to a near whisper. Her eyes grew large and the deep green softened to jade. He took a good long look into those pools of green. For a second, he thought he recognized something essential in them.
“Um”—she held her hands tight together in front of her—“I don’t like people being too close.”
“It’s all right.” Voice soft, he coaxed, “You go out first, and I’ll be right behind you.”
Unable to stop looking at her, something pulled them toward each other. He thought she noticed it, too. They started for the door together, but she peeked over her shoulder twice to make sure he didn’t get too close.
“Shouldn’t you pay your bill?”
Jack gazed into her sad eyes. “I own the place.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t you want your change, miss?” Mary called after Jenna before she exited the door. She turned so abruptly she almost ran straight into his chest. She took a quick step backward and so did he. He gave her enough space so he didn’t crowd her or make her feel threatened. Sally stayed at her side.
“Keep the change.” Jenna half smiled, unable to meet Mary’s eyes. The tip wasn’t for the service, but for caring about her well-being. He liked her for that, too.
They exited the diner and Jenna headed for her SUV with Sally on her heels. Jack’s truck sat parked a few spaces past hers.
“Hop in my truck. I’ll drive you and send one of my guys to pick up your car later. You look like you’re about to fall over. It’s dangerous to drive when you’re exhausted.”
“I’m okay. I made it this far, I’ll make it the rest of the way.”
“I’d hate to see you fall asleep at the wheel and crash. I’d never get a chance to get to know you,” he added, without really thinking.
The last made her take a step back, like even the thought of getting to know him made her want to distance herself. Still, something in the way she looked at him, just for a split second, made him think she might be interested in getting to know him too.
“I’ll be okay. Shall we go?”
Standoff. No way to convince her to get into his truck with him, a man she didn’t know and feared based on some other asshole’s unholy acts. Shit. Afraid to let her drive herself, but he relented. What could he do? If he tried to force her, she’d probably