Page 53 of A Convenient Heart
There would be no repairing them. No replacing them, not with the pageant on Monday.
Morris had threatened to hurt Merritt physically, but this was enough to ruin the pageant—and her career.
Jack felt sick. Coldness seeped through his skin, but inside he felt like he was burning up.
He’d done this. Not directly, but Merritt would suffer because of him.
He collected his hat and fled the room, pulling the door closed behind him—little good that it would do. Was the town really so secure that no one thought to lock this door?
Jack felt the cold wind cut through him and realized his coat was open. Numbness stole over him, and it wasn’t until he heard the distant train whistle that he realized what he needed to do.
He found himself on the platform minutes later. Another whistle, this one closer.
He hadn’t checked the train schedule in days, but if memory served, there was a quick late-night stop. He had fifty cents in his pocket. Enough for a ticket. Didn’t matter the destination.
The platform was deserted, the cold wind buffeting him.
He mashed his hat further down on his head. Touching the brim reminded him of Merritt, of those moments when she’d given him the hat. The way she’d looked at him.
Like he mattered, her eyes shining like he was some prince.
If he left, surely Morris would follow him.
Unless…would Jack’s leaving make Merritt more of a target?
The thought of putting her in deeper danger tore him apart from the inside out. The wound on his face pulsed with pain, but it was nothing compared to the thought of that thug getting his hands on her.
She had Danna to protect her. They were close friends.
I can help you. The marshal’s words rang through his head. But Danna had an entire town to protect.
I’m coming to know you. Merritt’s words from yesterday ripped through him, and he leaned against the side of the station for support as the train chugged into place with a last squeal of brakes and a hiss of steam.
She didn’t know him. Not really. He’d kept his true self from her. She didn’t even know his name.
She might think she cared about him, but it was only an illusion. It wasn’t real.
Leaving was for the best. It was the only thing he could do to try and keep her safe.
Wasn’t it?
Chapter11
Merritt stood in the preacher’s parlor, wearing her new dress.
In the silence, all she could hear was her own breath and the ticking of a clock on the mantel.
Her eyes flicked to the clock once more, and she forced them away, but not before she saw the time had ticked another minute from the day.
“I’m sure your young man will be along shortly,” Mrs. Carson said. She stood up from the settee where she’d perched moments ago. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“No, thank you.”
Mrs. Carson bustled into the kitchen, leaving Merritt alone in the parlor.
Jack was late.
Merritt’s stomach twisted and she pressed her palm there to try and steady herself.
