A Texan's Promise

 

Nashville, Tennessee

V
anessa, honey, why you crying?"

Clayton! He stood in the doorway to the stables, his presence both a soothing balm and a source of panic.

Vanessa gingerly leaned back against the wood behind her, willed herself to relax, but it was no good. It was going to be some time before she could calm down again. "I'm sorry I woke you."

"You didn't." His eyes narrowed a he stepped closer. "It's midnight. Isn't it awfully late for you to be out of bed?"

Yes. Yes, it was. It was too late for a lot of things now. Wiping her eyes with the side of her fist, she shook her head."I'll go in soon."

Clayton crouched beside her, his knees brushing her skirts. A puff of dust flew up, mixing with his scent, all bay rum and horses. "Care to tell me what happened?"

She was thankful for the darkness. "No."

He rocked back on his heels. "It might make you feel better."Just his presence made her feel better, but that was how it always had been. Though only twenty-nine, Clayton Proffitt was the foreman of her family's ranch, had been soon after her pa had hired him six years ago. When Pa had died, Clayton kept the place going for her mother.

Now that Ma remarried, Clayton had proved to be the most upstanding man she'd ever met. The differences between him and her stepfather were like night and day.

He'd always been patient and kind to her. Had always had time for her when no one else had. Even more importantly, he knew the Bible well, and often referred to it whenever she sought his advice. Consequently, his opinion mattered more to her than anyone else's.

Which was exactly why she couldn't tell him what happened. Desperately, she breathed deep. Inhaled his scent, his goodness, before tucking her chin to her chest. "It's nothing.I'm . . . fine, Clay. I'll be out of your way in a minute. Sorry I disturbed you."

She moved to get up, but his hand stilled her. "I didn't say you disturbed me. I don't think you ever could." Peering closer, his expression softened as one calloused finger touched her cheek. "Now. There's got to be a reason you're out here crying after midnight. What happened?"

She wanted to tell him. But if she did, he'd just shoulder all her hurt and responsibility, making her wish that she was less of a burden.

She hated being nineteen and unmarried. Too old to ask for help; too innocent to be self-sufficient.

"Well, if you're not going to get up, I guess I'm just going to have to join you, hmm?" Clay sat beside her, stretched his legs out next to hers, making her feel petite and insignificant.With no small amount of humor in his eyes, he sighed dramatically. Just like he had when Delaney Brewster had teased her about having arms and legs like sticks. Back when she'd taken to praying every night for God to stop taking His time to make her a woman.

"Looks like you're going to make me guess," he teased. "Let's see . . . George Law forgot to call on you today."

Oh, Clay was so sweet to her. She hated to disappoint him."It's not that."

"Ben Forte didn't say how pretty you looked in that periwinkle gown you like so much."

Periwinkle.
Vanessa hiccupped. The only reason Clay knew such a word was that she'd corrected him when he said her purple dress was fetching. "I'm not crying about a boy."

"Well then?" He folded an arm around her shoulder and was about to squeeze her tight when she winced.

He turned, one knee facing her hip. "Vanessa?" he murmured. His voice turned concerned. There was no trace of humor lingering in his voice. "What happened?"