Page 24 of A Dangerous Heart (Wind River Mail-Order Brides #4)

Lost in her thoughts, Clare failed to see that a woman and her boy were passing too close. Isaac instinctively drew her into his side.

“How about we have the café pack a breakfast basket before we head over to the doc’s?” Isaac said. “Ben will be hungry.”

Oh, she hoped so.

A short time later, Clare had a wicker basket packed with food over her arm as Isaac ushered her back onto the boardwalk.

She hadn’t missed the surprised and then curious looks they’d garnered during the short time they’d been inside the café.

A dozen people saw you get off the train in Calvin with the boys in tow. All it will take is a few questions to find out who you left the train station with.

Isaac had warned her about tongues wagging in town. It wouldn’t be long before everyone knew they’d married, even though neither of them had breathed a word.

Her stomach knotted. Was she putting the McGraw family in danger? Putting them right in the crosshairs of Victor’s sights? She knew he would come looking for the boys. Had prayed the change of trains would throw him off the scent.

Had she done enough?

It wasn’t only Clare and the boys in danger now. It was Tillie, Jo, Kaitlyn, all of them.

She’d thought there would be a relief in taking Isaac’s name. In having someone other than herself to rely on.

But as the preacher’s words had rolled over her, she’d felt a fierce protectiveness for Isaac rise up inside her.

Had she made the right choice?

“We should see about those boots,” Isaac said as they passed the general store.

She started to protest, but he raised one eyebrow in challenge. “He’ll be up and around before you know it. And winter’s coming on. He’ll need them.”

He was right.

But she wasn’t exactly flush with money. “I can’t pay you back,” she murmured, ducking her head when a plump woman passed by them on her way out of the store.

For one moment, a flash of what looked like frustration lit his eyes, but then he nodded toward the door. “Get the boots. Ben’s my responsibility now.”

His words were clipped and brooked no argument.

But she still prickled with the urge to fight as he trailed her into the store. She didn’t want to be a burden to him. A responsibility. How could she ever make him see her differently after all the subterfuge and this difficult start?

He didn’t even want a wife. He’d said so himself.

Her head was ducked as she fingered a fine pair of boots on a counter against the far wall. Isaac was yards away, lingering over the jars of candy on display.

The boots were too fancy. Ben wouldn’t be able to stand on that foot for weeks. Maybe they could wait for this purchase…

When she raised her head, she realized there was a teen boy behind the counter, talking to Isaac.

Rather, talking at Isaac.

“…exciting to be a marshal. Goin’ after real bad guys. Shoot-outs.”

Isaac had shut himself off. She saw it in the set of his jaw, the long-distance stare, and the way he didn’t meet the kid’s eye.

She picked up the boots and made for the counter, sidling up beside her new husband. “Would you wrap these for us?” she asked.

She could feel the tension radiating off Isaac. Had a flash of memory of the way he’d shaken when he’d been faced with that bear attacking the boys.

The shop clerk had taken the boots and turned to the back counter, where brown paper lay ready to wrap items. But he was craning to look over his shoulder, his curious gaze still intent on Isaac.

“This store is so neat and tidy,” she blurted. “I can tell you’re a well-organized young man.”

She felt more than saw the cut of Isaac’s surprised, disbelieving look.

The young man puffed up with pride.

“How long have you worked here?” she asked.

The teen’s hands flew over his wrapping now. “It’s my pa’s store,” he said. “I’ve been working here as long as I can remember.”

“You’ve a fine work ethic.” She smiled widely as he passed the package over the counter. “Look how perfectly the wrapping is folded.” She tilted the package in Isaac’s direction.

He grunted.

She narrowed her eyes at him, but it was to no avail as he quickly paid for the boots and ushered her out of the store.

At least he’d lost some of the tension he’d carried.

He didn’t comment on the way she’d distracted the boy as they made their way down the boardwalk toward the doctor’s. But she caught several thoughtful glances sent in her direction.

Maybe she couldn’t bring a large dowry to this marriage. Maybe there was the possibility of danger trailing her. But this was something she could do for Isaac. Smooth the way when someone brought up his former job. Distract his family from worrying over him too much, smothering him.

She caught another glance. Brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and hoped he wouldn’t notice the way her cheeks were warming.

This time he asked, “Are you going to tell Ben about the wedding?”

She pressed her lips together. “Not yet. I think it’s best to talk to Eli first when we get back to the homestead.”

His jaw tightened and his lips pulled into a frown. He steered her past a barrel of brooms displayed outside a store, then down a side street.

“Do you think Eli’s gonna be upset?” he said.

It wasn’t really a question. Eli had acted out in front of Isaac numerous times. Isaac knew what he was getting in to. But she couldn’t help herself from trying to smooth things over.

“He’ll come around,” she said hesitantly. “He misses his home. His pa.”

She was opening her mouth to say more when she caught sight of a man exiting a general store across from the café. His frame and gait seemed eerily familiar. Her eyes locked on the man. That hat…

It couldn’t be.

Alarm pulsed through her. She swiftly turned her head away from the intruder, her grip on Isaac’s arm tightening. Isaac pulled her closer, instantly alert.

“What’s the matter?” he demanded. He tracked her gaze, his other hand moving instinctively to his side. Finding no gun, his fingers pulled into a tight fist.

She pressed her face into Isaac’s shoulder and felt the tension coil in him. After a few terrifying moments, she backed away from Isaac, watching the man round the corner and stride out of sight.

“Who is he?” he asked, his voice low with a dangerous edge.

She had to get off the street. Hide. But Isaac gripped her elbow in his strong hand.

“Clare. Who is that man?”

“That’s one of the Barlow Gang,” she whispered. “If he’s here”—anguish lodged in her throat—“that means Victor is here too.”