Page 57 of Inventions of the Heart

Beth Ellen stiffened until Michelle wondered if her spine would crack.

“Beth Ellen, I was just getting off the train.” He reached for her, and she stepped back until she pressed against Josh, who was just behind her.

“I’m heading for San Francisco, and I have no wish to talk to you, Loyal.”

Jilly leaned forward and whispered into Michelle’s ear, “Loyal Kelton, former fiancé.”

Michelle had heard the name exactly once. Through Beth Ellen’s sobs the night she’d returned to the ranch. She’d’ve needed a bit to dig it out. But not Jilly.

“I’ll be right back.” The man rushed up to the conductor, standing at the front of the train car.

Michelle saw him pull money from the satchel he carriedand hand it to the conductor, who nodded and hurried toward the baggage car.

Loyal came back to Beth Ellen. “Please, I need to talk to you. Please give me a chance to apologize. I’ve changed. I love you and—” Loyal looked at Josh with a faint blush on his cheeks, then his eyes slid to Zane.

With a formal bow of his head, Loyal said, “Zane. It’s been a long time since we’ve spoken.”

“My sister told me why she broke things off. How you intended to keep a mistress and a wife at the same time. She has no wish to speak to you.”

Loyal swallowed hard as he studied Zane, then he looked back at Beth Ellen. His expression practically shouted regret and loneliness. A broken heart walking around wearing a top hat.

“Beth Ellen, you were right about me. Right about everything. Please, if you won’t consider giving me another chance, at least allow me to make a true and thorough apology. Your brother and...” He looked at Josh, then back at Beth Ellen and arched a brow.

“This is another brother, Mr. Kelton.”

Seeming to relax now that he’d eliminated a suitor for Beth Ellen’s hand, Loyal said very quietly, very sincerely, “Please, can I ride with you? I’m returning to San Francisco. My only reason to come out here was to talk with you. Please say you’ll at least listen to my apology.”

Michelle would have pitched him off the station platform, but then, no one ever accused her of being overly nice.

“We can talk for a time, Mr. Kelton. I might even accept your apology. But I can promise you it won’t change the status of our former relationship.”

Nodding, Kelton followed Beth Ellen onto the train.

The rest of their group boarded the train, each with a heavy satchel. Michelle did her best not to look like what she carried was overweight as she led the way down the aisle, with Jilly next, and Annie right behind her.

“I wish she’d have just kicked his backside,” Annie whispered.

They were the first to board, and no one seemed to pay particular attention to them, either with the trunks or the satchels. But Michelle kept her eyes open, and she knew Zane and Josh were both on edge, watching everyone who came near them.

They all found seats. Annie with Caroline in the very back. Jilly beside her. Michelle and Zane in the next seat. Beth Ellen and Kelton ahead of them, and Josh alone ahead of Beth Ellen.

Michelle watched Beth Ellen closely and hoped she wasn’t being charmed into forgiving this cheating scoundrel.

So far, Beth Ellen seemed to want to sit next to her former fiancé in order to scowl at him. Which, despite his fast, sweet talk—Michelle eavesdropped on every word—never convinced her to stop frowning.

“Our talk is over, Mr. Kelton. I’d like to sit with my brother for the rest of the ride.”

“But, Beth Ellen, darling—”

“You’re to call me Miss Hart from now on. Your use of my first name is too familiar, and I don’t like it.” Beth Ellen stared at Kelton until he finally gave her a solemn nod and stepped out of the seat he was in. He walked forward a few paces and sat down in another vacant seat, but turned to watch Beth Ellen with the eyes of a puppy who’d just been kicked.

Josh rose from his seat to take the place next to Beth Ellen.

Michelle saw Beth Ellen’s eyes glisten with tears. They all settled in for a long, quiet ride.

———

The train finally pulled into the San Francisco station, and Kelton watched and waited until Josh rose and stepped into the aisle. He then came to face Beth Ellen. “I left my valise behind,” he said as an excuse. “Beth Ellen, consider what I’ve said, please. I swear I’d be faithful to you if you gave me another chance. You know where to reach me.” He bent to reach under the seat, grabbed his satchel, and strode straight out the door as the train pulled to a stop.

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