Page 56 of A Forgotten Heart
Drew and Kaitlyn stood on the porch, hands entwined. He whispered something to her, his brow tight as he rested a hand on her belly. He bent and kissed her, gentle and slow.
Nick could see Ed and Rebekah through the front window, embracing. Isaac and Clare were barely visible around the corner of the house, saying a private goodbye.
All three of Nick’s brothers had found their perfect matches, had families to fight for. Another way they’d left him behind.
He’d thought to try again—that’s why he’d asked Merritt to help him find someone. But thinking about courting someone who wasn’t Elsie put a bitter taste in his mouth. Was he kidding himself? Was he destined to be alone?
Nick averted his gaze but caught Elsie watching through the front window. Their stares collided, and his heart thumped.
She let the curtain drop back into place.
A hand fell on Nick’s shoulder, and he startled.
Isaac took his horse’s reins from Nick’s hand, but before he stepped away, Isaac’s eyes flitted to the window, then back to Nick.
“Second chances, little brother.”
Then Isaac mounted and motioned for the brothers to follow him.
They took off at a canter down to the road, leaving Nick standing by himself in their wake.
Elsie dried the final dish and stacked it on top of the other clean ones on the counter.
Nick was pushing himself too hard. If he didn’t come in from the barn soon, he might hurt his shoulder. Or head.
Elsie looked out the window, like she had probably a hundred times within the last hour. She considered going down to the barn to check on him. Knew he would not welcome it, even if he’d smiled at her earlier.
His brothers had been gone for two hours, and Nick hadn’t been inside since. He’d skipped breakfast.
The house had grown quiet. Clare and Eli had returned to Isaac’s cabin to gather a few things plus additional ammunition. For the worst-case scenario, according to Clare.
Just the thought of worst-case frightened Elsie.
Kaitlyn had looked tired, so Rebekah had sent her upstairs to rest while she helped occupy the kids in the living room.
Which left Elsie to clean up breakfast. And worry about Nick.
With a sharp sigh, she started to turn away from the window but froze. Nick had finally emerged from the barn, carrying a load of firewood.
Surely he hadn’t chopped it.
Even from a distance, she could see the stiffness in his gait.
He was upset about being left behind. She knew that from what she’d accidentally overheard earlier this morning.
And she didn’t know how to make it better.
Wood clattered against the outside kitchen wall as he stacked it.
She held her breath, waiting for him to come inside.
And waiting.
Something must be wrong.
With a huff, she moved to the door before she could change her mind.
Cold air sliced through her dress as she marched across the back porch to where he stood with one arm against the wall next to the woodpile.
