"What did you do then? " Daniel asked.
"I went into the dining room to shut the window, and that's when I
smelled coal oil."
"You mean kerosene? " "Yes, kerosene, " she answered. "I put my hand
on the windowsill and it was covered with oil. It was as though
someone had only just poured it there." l s "And then what happened?
" "Tilly had placed a basket of apples on the kitchen table after
supper.
One of her daughters had given them to her."
"What do apples have to do with the fire? " "I could smell apples. I
know it sounds crazy, but I think someone was eating one. I wanted to
run upstairs and wake Jessica and Tilly, but I was suddenly afraid to
move. I could feel the breeze on my arms from the swinging door that
connects the kitchen with the dining room, and I heard the squeak the
hinges make. I knew someone was rushing toward me.
I could feel him coming. I turned and started to scream, but I don't
know if I made a sound or not."
"That's when you were struck, wasn't it? " "I don't remember being
hit. I just remember turning, and then you were leaning over me,
Daniel, and I was outside . . . in the grass. If Jessica hadn't found
me and dragged me out, I would have died in the fire.
"I'm your witness, " she whispered once again. "I don't want them to
hurt Jessica or Rebecca. They're innocent." Daniel couldn't resist
touching her. He reached out to wipe away a tear from her cheek.
"You're also innocent, Grace." They stared into one another's eyes for
a long minute. Daniel was overwhelmed with the desire to keep her
safe. He had failed with his wife and his daughter because he hadn't
been there to protect them. He decided then and there that he wouldn't
let Grace out of his sight.
Any one who tried to harm her would have to go through him first.
"Daniel, are you all right? " "Yeah, I am."
"You look terribly . .
. angry."
"I don't want anything to happen to you, Grace." He was gripping her
shoulders, his hold fierce, protective. He was hurting her, but she
knew if she told him so, he'd feel terrible. She gently pulled his
hands away and held on to them. "Nothing's going to happen to me."
"I'm going to protect you."
"Yes, you are, " she agreed.
"And I must protect Jessica and Caleb." He raised an eyebrow. "Why?
" he asked.
"She risked her life for me, " she answered.
"What about Rebecca? Do you feel responsible for her too? " "In a
sense I do. She's been so kind and thoughtful." He put his arm around
her shoulders. "Come on. I'm taking you home, Miss Winthrop.
No, that isn't right, " he teased. "It's Lady Winthrop, isn't it? "
"No, Daniel, it's Grace. Just plain old Grace."
"Ah, Grace. There's nothing plain about you. Nothing at all. "ţq v
he baby was in his line of fire. He wanted to kill the boy first, but