Page 77 of A Steadfast Heart
Her brother knew no limits, and neither did Quade. Michael had thanked the rancher for locating his wayward sister. The men had shaken hands before Quade had sneered at her. His words still echoed in her ears and bounced around her chest.
You’d best do what your brother says, he’d said.Be a shame for something to happen to the McGraw kids.
How had she been so mistaken in her first impression of the man? She hadn’t wanted to believe Drew and his brothers were right, but she’d been wrong. So very wrong.
The pain of Michael’s grip was nothing compared to the pain in her heart. She’d lied to the deputy at the train station. What’s more, she’d been cruel. Used the one word guaranteed to push Drew away.
Mistake.The word his ex-wife had used.
But how could she have done otherwise? Michael wouldn’t hesitate to hurt a child if it meant getting what he wanted. Quade probably wouldn’t either. So she’d done the only thing she could think of to guarantee Drew wouldn’t follow her. He had to stay and protect the children.
And she had to protect him.
Lord, who’s going to protect me?
Kaitlyn shifted on the hard train bench. Michael intentionally took up more room so he could box her in. She ignored him to look out the window at the countryside streaming by. Smoke made the image waver. Or was that tears?
The steady rocking of the train car felt comforting while seated, but she knew from her trip west that it trapped her nearly as much as her brother’s large body. If she should stand to escape, her balance would be precarious at best.
Of course, Michael’s would be as well. She glanced around the car. There were only a few other passengers. Could she get to them before Michael drew his gun? Most of the men this far west were armed. Would any of them help her?
A man sat three rows behind her. She tried to catch his eye, but his expression hardened and he looked away.
Everyone looked away.
Kaitlyn turned back to the window. Open land rushed by, mocking her prison.
She blinked rapidly. She dared not show weakness.
“Tickets?”
She suppressed a start at the voice so close to her shoulder. Maybe Michael hadn’t felt the slight movement. He had to know she was on edge, but no need to give him more of an upper hand.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out two slips of paper, making sure she could see the gun tucked into his pants.
As if she needed reminding.
The conductor left. Michael leaned close. “Good girl,” he murmured, his breath humid against her cheek.
She swallowed hard and tried to move closer to the wall, but there was no space, no way to get away from him. Even the few inches she gained, he erased by moving closer.
Kaitlyn leaned against the window next to her. She was right back where she’d started. When would she learn? Nothing stopped her brother. Not distance, not laws, not even marriage vows. She’d gambled, and she’d lost.
Except this time she’d lost more than herself. She’d lost her family.
She let herself drift into memories of the ranch. Of David after riding Phantom. Jo refusing to do penmanship. Tillie asking if Kaitlyn’s shoes were made of glass.
And Drew. Always Drew.
“Thought she could get the best of me.”
She didn’t allow Michael’s mutters to pull her from her dreams. At least she’d known happiness for a little while. She could guarantee she never would again. Her brother would see to that.
Chapter18
Drew buried his head in his hands, the stingy mattress on the jail cell cot feeling like it was stuffed with rocks. The echo of Quade’s boots had barely faded.
Everything had gone wrong. Ed’s homestead. Without it, they couldn’t support the herd.
