Page 5 of A Dangerous Heart
“That won’t be possible.” There. She’d kept the tremble from her voice.
But Isaac didn’t soften.
She was aware of curious gazes from people milling about the platform nearby. She couldn’t afford to give Isaac more time to argue. “I don’t understand. You sent for me so we could be married.”
“I didn’t send for you.”
He’d said that before, but it didn’t make any more sense this time. His voice was low and urgent and made her think he wanted her to be silent.
It only agitated her more. She reached into her skirt pocket and pulled out the folded envelope. “I have your letter right here. You promised we’d marry!” Her voice pitched higher and louder than she intended.
Heads turned from the crowd on the platform, especially Mr. Stetson and his two companions. Their gazes were like nettles on her skin. She and the boys were too exposed out here in the open. She stepped closer to Isaac McGraw. Close enough to see the tight lines around his mouth and hear his breath catch.
“Is there somewhere more private we could go to straighten out this misunderstanding?” she asked softly.
Ben chose that moment to yank at her sleeve. “I’m hungry.”
Isaac glared at her. “We are not going anywhere,” he ground out. “You’re getting back on that train.”
Her plan was unraveling before her eyes. Since she’d stepped foot off the train, nothing had gone right. Victor was behind her. There was no returning, not after what she’d done. She couldn’t give up. “You gave your word. We’re getting married.”
A shadow fell over her. “Is there a problem here, miss?”
She didn’t notice until she looked his way that it was sharp-eyed Mr. Stetson from the train.
She was close enough to see the subtle change in Isaac’s expression, the way his back bristled. He turned a stony face to the interloper. “No.”
The man ignored Isaac, his calculating eyes on Clare. He puffed out his chest and tipped his hat toward Clare. “Heath Quade, president of the Cattlemen’s Association and a citizen of this fine town. And you are?”
“None of your business, Quade,” Isaac growled.
Ben butted his head into Clare’s side, jolting her. She’d been so caught up in the tension between the two men that, for a moment, she’d lost track of both boys. Panic flared as she turned—until she spotted Eli, quietly watching Quade. Relief rushed through her.
“I thought you were getting married.” Ben chose the worst moment to pipe up.
Heath Quade’s shrewd eyes darted between Isaac and Clare. “That true?”
The muscle in Isaac’s jaw jumped, but he remained mute.
Quade turned a calculating glance toward Clare. “You one of those mail-order brides? The McGraws sure do like them.”
Clare didn’t know what he meant, but it was clear his words stirred up something in Isaac.
“This ain’t your concern.” Isaac stepped in front of Clare and the boys, partially blocking her from Quade’s view. She was surprised by the protective gesture after his earlier scowl.
Isaac’s head turned, and she realized the two other men had stepped over to flank their friend Quade. With her feet at the back of the platform, it felt a little like being trapped. Her gaze darted all around as she looked for an escape.
One of the men addressed her. “This man botherin’ you?”
She shook her head.
Apparently, the moment of distraction meant Quade had stepped to the side, around Isaac. He addressed Clare.
“I couldn’t help but overhear?—”
“Stay out of it, Quade.” There was something dangerous in Isaac’s tone. Couldn’t everyone hear it?
Quade didn’t. “As an upstanding citizen of Calvin and a duly elected official, it’s my duty to come to the aid of a lady who finds herself abandoned at the train station.”
