Page 58 of A Dangerous Heart
Isaac couldn’t help but smile.
Ben settled further under the covers, and Isaac took that as his signal to leave.
Clare met him in the doorway, her eyes shadowed. “Sorry,” she whispered.
He didn’t understand why and was about to press when Drew, Ed, and Nick traipsed into the room and gathered at the table.
Clare retreated to stand by the window, her hand pressed against her mouth, her slim shoulders sagging as she stared into the darkness outside.
A heavy quiet settled over the house like a thick wool blanket. Darkness had fallen—it was too late to send for help. They’d have to wait till morning.
Drew, Ed, and Nick crowded around the table, their heads bowed over the map. Isaac should join them. But his eyes were drawn to Clare, alone by the window.
He shouldn’t. But he went to her anyway.
As he stepped behind her and caught their reflection in the windowpane, Clare’s eyes met his in the shiny glass. He saw her misery and fear.
It’s going to be all right.
The words to comfort her stuck in his throat. They both knew how dangerous Victor and his men were. If they had hitched their wagon to Quade and his henchmen, they made for a formidable group.
Isaac let both hands settle gently on Clare’s shoulders and felt her tremble.
“We’ll think of something,” he said. He’d promised to protect her and the boys, but ever since she’d made the connection between the dynamite on Quade’s land and her brother, Isaac had been spinning. Trying to figure out a way to keep her safe. To protect the McGraw land. And keep his family from getting themselves killed. He was failing at all of them.
“I’m afraid Victor’s going to send another scout into town,” Clare whispered. “Discover Lyle’s in jail, and the trail will lead right to the boys and me.”
Of course she would be worried about the boys. Ben couldn’t be moved easily. He’d been pale and hurting by the time they’d arrived home. Clare was effectively trapped here.
“We won’t let them get close,” he promised. And watched the reflection of her face crumble. Her shoulders convulsed with the effort to hold back a sob. He went a little lightheaded. Whatcould he do? She didn’t trust him to protect her. Why should she? She’d seen firsthand how broken he was.
“I can’t stand the thought of your family—of you—being hurt—because of me.”
Her halting words surprised the breath out of him. He went stone-still.
“I—care about y-your family.”
Her show of emotion wasn’t about not trusting him. It was about her. And her big, open heart. She loved with all of her being. For a moment, he let himself wish he wasn’t so broken. That he had something more of himself to offer her.
He found himself squeezing her shoulders and pulling her back against his chest. His jaw brushed her temple and rested there for a scant second.
When his unfocused gaze rose, inched higher and sharpened, he caught Drew’s reflection from where he stood across the room. Drew jerked his chin, summoning Isaac.
He pressed his jaw into Clare’s hair, breathed in the scent of her, then let her go.
He crossed to join his brothers at the table. She stayed where she was but turned her back to the window and faced the room to listen.
“Quade’s got at least a half dozen men working on rerouting the river,” Drew said.
Isaac placed both hands on the table and flicked a glance to Clare. “How many in the Barlow Gang?”
“There have been as many as a dozen, but for the jobs that involve dynamite, Victor only takes the men that have been with him for a while and have experience. I would guess maybe four plus Victor.”
“We should sneak over there. Scout out if Barlow’s really there,” Nick said, drumming his fingers on the table. “So far, all we have is conjecture.”
“No,” Isaac said. “We get the marshal and her deputies involved. Three days is plenty of time. We need to let the law handle this.”
“We’ve got the advantage of knowing the area,” Ed said. “Maybe we could take them out one by one.”
