“Son of a bitch.” Pa wasn’t happy, not that Sharps had expected him to be. No man wanted to learn his son had almost been raped.
Sharps stretched an arm across the table and rested his palm on Pa’s fisted hand. “It’s all right. Captain Marriott stopped them. As a matter of fact, he threatened to kill them if they ever came near me again.”
“Did he?” Pa blew out a breath, and Sharps could see him forcing himself to relax. “He struck me as a good man, and I’m pleased to see my judgement wasn’t off.”
“Never. You’re the best judge of men I know.”
The skin of Pa’s weathered cheeks darkened as a blush ran up to his hairline. In spite of his age, and although his fair hair was peppered with gray, it was as thick as ever. He got to his feet, hobbled to the cupboard, and took down a bottle and t
