Page 80 of A Forgotten Heart
Nick stepped close to her side. “Ed and I brought her here for protection after she witnessed an attempted murder. The marshal was gone from town.”
The suspicion hadn’t faded. “Did you tell any of the board members your whereabouts? It is our duty to help protect your reputation.” His gaze zeroed in on their clasped hands. “Or perhaps your intention isn’t to teach next year.”
It was clear from his words he meant something else entirely.
“School’s on break,” Nick said tightly. “Elsie can go where she likes.”
The man’s mouth tightened into a grim line. “Certainly, but as you know, it is important that our teacher’s reputation is above reproach. Rumors could spread with her so far from town.”
Nick lifted his chin in a challenge. “Are you implying something, Mr. Jamison?”
Elsie felt a tremor go through Nick, lines of exhaustion around his eyes and mouth. He hadn’t slept all night. He needed rest, but he wasn’t backing down.
“You two go inside.” Marshal Danna O’Grady shooed them as she climbed the porch steps.
Relief splashed over Elsie, but it was short-lived as Nick ushered her inside, Danna following.
Elsie’s cheeks felt hot compared to the cold outside. Nick still shivered.
On shaky legs, Elsie hurried to the quilt rack in the corner of the room. “I’ll get a quilt.”
She passed Ed and Rebekah talking to Drew in low tones. Kaitlyn bustled in the kitchen, Tillie not leaving her side as the scent of coffee wafted through the kitchen door.
Elsie was thankful for a moment to gather her strength with her back turned to the bustling room.
Jamison being here was a disaster. She had hugged Nick—not in a platonic way. Jamison’s words about not teaching next year had been a clear allusion to her marrying Nick—and losing her position because of it.
Merritt had given up the job, had known Calvin wouldn’t want a married teacher. But Elsie wanted to teach. That’s why she’d put off Arnold’s suit.
Arnold!
She’d never answered his letter. She’d been isolated out here, imagining herself a part of the McGraw Christmas traditions. Being protected by Nick.
But now her life was intruding.
What was she going to do?
“Have a seat, Nick, before you fall down,” Ed demanded.
Elsie forced herself to turn back around. The lantern light illuminated Nick’s tight features. Pain reflected in his eyes. Sootlayered every inch of his skin. A gash in his cheek trickled blood through the soot and down his neck.
Oh, Nick.
Elsie’s mind still whirled as she returned to Nick and tucked the quilt around him.
In the corner, Marshal O’Grady joined Ed and motioned for Drew to join them. Rebekah was ushering the kids upstairs. Not one of them argued.
Elsie turned to follow them upstairs, but Nick reached out and grabbed her hand. “Stay.”
She should refuse. This seemed like a brothers’ meeting, but Nick’s eyes pleaded with her. Almost like he needed her. She lowered onto the settee next to him before she could think better of it. He didn’t let go of her hand.
The kitchen door opened, and Isaac walked through carrying two cups of coffee. He handed one to Nick, who accepted the mug, then settled back into the couch, exhaustion lining his face.
Marshal O’Grady’s expression was grim. “The hired guns jumped at the chance to reduce their sentence by implicating Quade.”
Relief flooded Elsie. It would mean another charge against him, wouldn’t it?
“We just need to find him,” Danna said.
