Page 42 of A Forgotten Heart
Nick’s and Elsie’s words tumbled over each other. Why was she looking at him with that mix of trepidation and hope?
“Did you remember?” she whispered.
“I—don’t know.”
That particular memory, of stumbling, falling, a flare of pain in his head—seemed clear as day.
“Nick, you’ve still got a head injury,” Elsie said.
“Elsie can show me where,” Ed offered.
“No,” Nick snapped. Elsie looked shocked by his tone.
“I’ll…go find your extra pair of gloves.” Rebekah disappeared into the bedroom.
“I don’t want you going out there,” Nick told Elsie, turning so they were facing each other. He clasped her hands in his.
“If it’s too dangerous for me, then why are you going?” she countered. “Your head?—”
“Is a lot better.” It was true. He’d been standing for several minutes without the dizzy spells or nauseated feeling.
“If Quade was holed up in the saloon, he’s probably at the bottom of a bottle right now,” Ed offered. Nick had almost forgotten he was still standing by the window.
Nick couldn’t explain why this was so important, only that it was.
It was his fault that money was missing. He needed to be the one to find it.
And he needed Elsie safe. This business with the mail-order bride, Kaitlyn, the land…all of it could wait. And maybe more memories would return.
Elsie was wearing that stubborn set to her mouth—a look that said she wasn’t going to back down. He wanted to kiss that look right off her.
Somehow, she read his thoughts. He saw the way her eyes flitted to his lips and then back up. Saw the minute way her lips pressed together. She wanted to kiss him too.
But her gaze cut away as Ed cleared his throat. “We should go.”
Nick squeezed her hands to his. “We’ll be right back. Wait for me.” Then he whistled for Patch to follow him out the door.
Chapter 9
Elsie watched the street from the second-story loft’s window. Rebekah had remained in the bedroom as the men left, and that meant Elsie was left to her own thoughts.
Nick had wanted to kiss her. She was familiar with that intent, fiery look in his eyes. And he’d seen what she’d been too weak to hide—she’d wanted to kiss him too.
Thank goodness his brother had been there. Or maybe that made it more of a disaster.
Nick’s memories were trickling back. How much longer before he remembered she meant nothing to him?
Agitation had her turning away from the window.
Rebekah was bustling around in the bedroom. Elsie could see her moving back and forth through the open doorway.
“I’ll be just a minute,” Rebekah called out.
This was Elsie’s moment to make a quiet escape. But her feet carried her toward the bedroom doorway. What was Rebekah doing?
It hadn’t been long since Elsie had been in this room earlier, but now the entire bed seemed to be covered in brown-wrapped packages. Christmas gifts.
A carpet bag sat open on the edge of the bed.
