Page 26 of A Forgotten Heart (Wind River Mail-Order Brides #5)

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. Soot layered 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.

Elsie tensed and Nick squeezed her hand. “He wasn’t with the hired guns,” he whispered.

Elsie glanced at Ed, who lifted his mug toward his mouth. The worry lines on his face told her it was true.

The more desperate Quade became, the more unpredictable he would be.

“We’ve got all these men deputized, so let’s go find him,” Isaac suggested.

Danna nodded. “I’ll have to send a few to take the hired guns to Calvin but can spare half to go after Quade.”

The men nodded and started breaking away.

Tillie ran back downstairs, as if she’d been listening. “I don’t want you to leave, Papa.”

Drew scooped her up, speaking quietly.

Nick didn’t move. “You don’t want to go?” Elsie whispered.

His eyes were intense. “I’ve got a good reason to stay.”

Elsie’s heart leaped. They hadn’t finished their conversation.

Before Elsie could move, Marshal O’Grady pulled away from the group and approached Elsie. “Jamison seems to be on a warpath. Wants you back in town.”

It came as no surprise, but Elsie still couldn’t stop her pulse from quickening.

Nick leaned forward. “Elsie’s on Christmas break.”

The marshal’s eyes flickered. “I’ve been in your shoes,” she said to Elsie. “City council watching my every move. I learned sometimes it’s not about what I had a right to do but what would keep the peace.”

Nick’s frown deepened.

All the thoughts that had spun up when Elsie had come inside still churned. The only thing she could really lean on was her job.

She smoothed her hands down her skirt and stood. “She’s right. I should go.”

Nick pushed to his feet. “Then I’m coming too. Quade’s still out there.”

“No,” she said quickly. A flash of hurt crossed his face.

“Can you give us a minute?” he asked. Danna gave a nod, then stepped outside.

Nick rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t like this.”

“I need my job,” she blurted.

Everything had happened so quickly in the past few days. Tensions had been high. Nick had loved her again—while his memories had been gone. She needed time.

A minute shadow crossed behind his eyes. “I understand.” Determination flattened his lips. “But you asked me a question earlier. I’d wanted to ask you the same question.”

Her heart fluttered. Had she heard right? “You want to start over? You forgive me?”

“We both made mistakes. Can you forgive me for walking away?”

Elsie inhaled to keep from crying, but one tear escaped, trailing down her cheek.

With featherlike gentleness, he wiped it away. “So, what do you say? Can we start over?”

She wanted to lean into his touch. But footsteps thudded on the floor above them. They weren’t alone. Maybe it was a good thing. “I think we already have. But Nick, I have to go back to town. I need some time.”

The shadows in his expression had cleared. “I’ve got some things to work out too, but I’d like to come courting, if you’re willing. Do things the right way this time. Out in the open.”

Elsie smiled. “No more sneaking around?”

“No more sneaking around,” he whispered back.

“And no more stolen kisses?” she whispered again.

This time, a rakish glint shone in his eyes. “Well, maybe one more.” The words were barely spoken he was so close.

His lips brushed hers. This kiss was real. Nick and Elsie.

Distantly, she registered the back door opening and muffled voices in the kitchen.

Elsie should step back but couldn’t take her eyes off Nick. He watched her with that crooked grin she’d always loved.

“I don’t know how long it’s gonna take, but I’ll come to you as soon as I can.” There was a promise in Nick’s words.

“I’ll be waiting.”