Page 62 of Seized by the Lawman

“Ahh, Melly, don’t be mad at Nix. I told him not to tell you,” Carson said.

She turned her gaze onto her father. “Don’t you see, Dad? That’s the problem. You told him. Did you also tell him how to feel about me?”

“Now wait a minute, Melly.” Nix took a step toward her, but she held up a hand to keep him away.

“No, Nix. You listen. My dad is dying of cancer and you didn’t think to tell me. Think about how you’d feel. I can’t be with a man who has an allegiance to my father. I need someone who has loyalty to me. You two have been busy keeping secrets from me as if I can’t handle the truth. As far as I’m concerned, you two deserve each other.”

“Melly?” Nix caught up to her at the door.

She turned on him, nailing him with a piercing gaze. “Stop, Nix. I need time to absorb this. Don’t worry. You’ve done exactly what my father has asked you to do, now you’re off the hook.”

“You’re angry. I understand, but you can’t believe my feelings were staged.”

“I have no clue what to think, Nix. I could almost forgive you for going along with this scheme, but why didn’t you tell me about the cancer? This is not how I should have found out. I expected more from you. After all, you didn’t feel any restraint from going to Dad and telling him that I was pregnant. It sure seems you care more what he thinks than you do about my feelings.”

He watched her leave and could do nothing but stand there, boots frozen to the floor and his heart breaking. And yet, he knew, she was completely right. She’d needed to trust him, and he’d let her down.

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