Page 88 of A Forgotten Heart
Nick shoved the bags into Isaac’s chest. “What for?”
With a grunt, Isaac caught the bags before they fell. Nick spun around and headed for the next load.
Behind him, Isaac called, “Wanted to know how things went with?—”
Nick slammed the door before Isaac spoke Elsie’s name.
Why did his brothers have to be so nosy?
He heaved the last load in his arms, an ache penetrating his shoulder. He’d healed up over the past few days. Had he overdone it with the loading?
Isaac waited, leaning against the wagon. Bothering Nick. “It went that good, huh?”
Nick wanted to slug him, but he chucked the final crate into the back of the wagon instead. Ignoring his brother’s scowl, he turned toward his cabin. He only needed to grab his satchel, then he’d be out of there.
“Hey. Slow down.” The gruffness of Isaac’s tone cut through the frigid air. Nick charged ahead, but Isaac grabbed his arm.
Jerking his arm free, Nick whipped around.
“What happened?” Isaac demanded.
Nick knew his brother wouldn’t give up. “She’s engaged.” Saying the words aloud provided a punch of pain.
Isaac’s brows pinched together. “Come again?”
Nick put his hands on his knees to keep from keeling over, his breath coming out in streams of fog from his mouth. “Yep, she’s engaged. I surprised them right in the middle of the city slicker’s proposal.”
Isaac put his hands to his hips. “But she looked at you like you hung the stars. Did you misunderstand something?”
Frustration surged, and Nick pushed off his knees to stand straight. “Yes, Isaac, because a man holding her hand while offering a wedding band might be asking for directions.”
Isaac scratched his beard, his eyes contemplative. “Something ain’t right. She loves you. Everyone here could see it. Even Clare mentioned it.”
A memory of Elsie standing on the boardwalk, eyes pleading with Nick to understand, flitted through his mind. That was the problem. He did understand. He knew the little girl she’d once been. The young woman who’d only wanted to belong in her adoptive family, to be accepted. If marrying Nelson would truly make her happy, Nick wouldn’t stand in her way. How could he? She’d wanted one thing ever since she was a little girl.
Nick shook his head. It wasn’t his place to share about Elsie’s troubles with her ma. Elsie hadn’t chosen him five years ago, and she wasn’t choosing him now.
Nick walked into the cabin.
He closed the door, then stuffed a spare shirt and long johns into his satchel. He wouldn’t need much else.
He reached for his copy ofAround the World in Eighty Daysbut stopped.
He didn’t need that either.
He went back outside, whistling for Patch.
Isaac took one look at Nick’s satchel and chased after Nick toward the wagon. “Whoa. We’re not done talking.”
Nick tossed his satchel in. “I’m done.” At his signal, Patch bounded into the wagon bed.
“Nick…”
Before Isaac could say anything else, Nick climbed up to the buckboard seat. “Tell the others I love them.”
With a snap of his reins, Surrey started across the pasture. The rising moon illuminated his path toward the winter cabin.
Hours had passed since Elsie had watched Nick walk away from her.
