Page 51 of A Dangerous Heart
“Do you think Eli’s gonna be upset?” he said.
It wasn’t really a question. Eli had acted out in front of Isaac numerous times. Isaac knew what he was getting in to. But she couldn’t help herself from trying to smooth things over.
“He’ll come around,” she said hesitantly. “He misses his home. His pa.”
She was opening her mouth to say more when she caught sight of a man exiting a general store across from the café. His frame and gait seemed eerily familiar. Her eyes locked on the man. That hat…
It couldn’t be.
Alarm pulsed through her. She swiftly turned her head away from the intruder, her grip on Isaac’s arm tightening. Isaac pulled her closer, instantly alert.
“What’s the matter?” he demanded. He tracked her gaze, his other hand moving instinctively to his side. Finding no gun, his fingers pulled into a tight fist.
She pressed her face into Isaac’s shoulder and felt the tension coil in him. After a few terrifying moments, she backed away from Isaac, watching the man round the corner and stride out of sight.
“Who is he?” he asked, his voice low with a dangerous edge.
She had to get off the street. Hide. But Isaac gripped her elbow in his strong hand.
“Clare. Who is that man?”
“That’s one of the Barlow Gang,” she whispered. “If he’s here”—anguish lodged in her throat—“that means Victor is here too.”
Chapter 13
Isaac watched Clare press her fingers to her lips and slowly shake her head. She turned her back to Ben, moving to the window.
“I don’t like this,” she said, her voice a watery whisper.
“I know.” Isaac moved to stand at Clare’s shoulder, a few feet from Ben back in the exam room.
A few minutes had passed since the sighting of Lyle Mueller, one of Barlow’s men. Clare had insisted on rushing back to the doc’s, fearing that Ben might have been taken by Victor or one of his men.
Isaac glanced over his shoulder at Ben, sitting up in bed now. Clare had been overwhelmed by relief and burst into messy tears.
Ben had stirred, coming awake. “What’s wrong, Aunt Clare? I ain’t dead, ya know.”
Isaac returned his attention to Clare, watching for danger out the window while Ben devoured the warm bowl of porridge on his lap.
“I want to go back to the cabin,” Clare said. She yanked her sleeve down over her scar and knotted her fingers in front of her, her knuckles white.
He’d prefer to hole up at the main homestead. His brothers could help him defend Clare and the boys if need be. And with Ben’s broken leg and low fever, they needed help.
He pulled the curtains back a few inches and peered out the window. A few townsfolk dotted the boardwalk. A man entered the saloon across the street. He checked to the west—no sign of the marshal yet. He’d asked Doc Powell to track down Marshal O’Grady and send her over.
He let the curtain drop and turned back toward Clare. “We can’t take Ben out of town on horseback.” She knew it. Jarring his leg might worsen the injury. They would need to take the wagon, which would be slow. Visible. He couldn’t get Clare and Ben out safely until the Barlow Gang was out of the picture. But he’d been out of commission for a good long time. He needed help.
The bell on the other office door jingled. Clare startled. Marshal O’Grady appeared at the exam room entrance.
“Doc said to come quick,” Danna said, concern etched on her face. From beneath her worn hat, the marshal’s eyes darted from Isaac to Clare, caught his hand at Clare’s back. With a subtle tilt of her head, she signaled for them to follow her into the outer office. Isaac dipped his chin and herded both women into the hall, where Ben couldn’t hear their conversation.
“Got trouble,” he said. “Clare spotted one of the Barlow Gang out on the boardwalk. They’re wanted in three states.” He swallowed back the words to explain what a threat they were to Clare and the boys.
The marshal studied Clare. “How are you acquainted with the Barlows?”
Clare’s back tensed under his hand. He moved it, slipping his hand over her smaller one. Danna’s gaze caught the move. If she was surprised, she kept it hidden.
“Clare’s had some run-ins with the Barlow Gang.”
