Chapter 6

“No, it’s not right. But it is the way of things.”

“Will you please let me help?”

Christian nodded, and he took both of the full pails before she protested. She walked lightly beside him, her bare feet not making a sound on the grass. He glanced down, noticing how brown her legs and feet were. Much darker than Mrs. Rose and her brood. And it was not from long hours in the sun. Everything from her eyes to her palms betrayed her parentage.

“You like to watch me.”

“I’m curious about you,” Mal admitted. “I’ve met other girls with stories like yours, I guess, but I’ve never seen anybody like you.”

“What am I?”

“Strong.”

“You like to watch strength?”

“Yes. I respect it. I want to honor it by acknowledging it.”

“I don’t know anybody else like you.”

“Is that why you’re talking to me?”

She glanced up, offering a glimmer of a smile. “I like that you kept me company last night.”

“Do you mean when I sat outside the door?”