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She’d thought she’d grown out of the feelings she’d held for him back when she’d attended the one-room schoolhouse with Isaac and his brothers.

Until the day she’d caught a glimpse of him returning to town after serving as a marshal.

He’d still exuded all the manliness of a genuine hero, striding from the train station to meet his brother Ed.

No one else lived up to the legendary Isaac McGraw. Not back in school. Not now.

Rebekah smoothed her dark woolen skirt with one hand as she grasped her bag in the other, then followed her aunt out into the sunlight. She angled her free hand under her hat to shield her eyes as the McGraw near the wagon turned to greet them.

“Morning, Mrs. Boutwell.”

Not Isaac.

A lock of mahogany hair escaped beneath the edge of Ed McGraw’s hat as he greeted Aunt Opal with a nod. Awkward seconds passed before he offered a faint “Miss Edwards.”

Rebekah stiffened. Him. Hmph. Had no one else noticed the drop in his voice when he’d finally said her name?

Did they ever notice his slights? Two weeks ago, he’d been by to change out a wagon wheel for Uncle Vess.

She must have stood by the wagon for half an hour before Ed had acknowledged her only to refuse the lemonade Aunt Opal had insisted she take out to him. Infuriating man.

“I’ll load that for you.” He motioned to her satchel.

“I can do it.” She attempted to pull her satchel back from his reach, but not before his fingers brushed hers as they tightened around the handle, leaving her bristling.

Ed tightened his jaw. He didn’t glance her way as she let go. She knew that tic of his. He was none too happy to see her either.

“How is Isaac?” The words left her mouth unplanned.

Her aunt and uncle gave her a curious look.

“Haven’t seen him in a few days.” Ed flicked a glance her way as he pursed his lips. He placed her satchel under the seat with the other bags, then walked to the back of the wagon. He held out a hand to Aunt Opal. “I put in some hay to make the ride more comfortable.”

“You are too kind to an old woman’s aching bones.” Aunt Opal stepped toward him and slipped her hand in his.

Ignored again. Rebekah rolled her eyes to avoid the distraction of his muscled arms hoisting her aunt into the wagon. The very arms she had so easily envisioned belonging to Isaac earlier.

Vess handed the basket of food to his wife once she was settled, then turned to face Ed. “You will look after Rebekah, won’t you?”

“I’m a grown woman, Uncle Vess. I can look after myself.” Rebekah’s words fell on deaf ears as her uncle kept his eyes trained on Ed. Neither of them acknowledged her.

“My brothers and I will look after the place,” Ed hedged.

She barely held in a snort. Uncle Vess might as well forget getting a promise out of Ed to look after her. Which suited her just fine.

Vess lingered by the side of the wagon, his hand running across the top board. “Promise me you’ll be sure she gets to town and back safely. You’re a man of your word, and I trust you.”

“I’ll check with Drew to see if he can spare me.” Ed half mumbled the words, the way he’d always mumbled when the teacher had asked about missing homework back in school. He didn’t want to drive her any more than she wanted him to.

“Rebekah is precious to me.” Vess coughed again.

She swallowed hard, fighting the pull of concern over his illness that she’d been trying so hard to tamp down, at least until they got to the train. One quick turn of her head, and Ed’s stormy glance her way stilled the rising swell of tears, filling her with resolve.

“Don’t be silly, Uncle Vess. I’m perfectly capable of saddling up a horse and riding to town.” Surely her assurance would ease his mind and end this.

Rebekah shot a pleading look at her uncle, but his focus held on Ed. A man-to-man sort of stare-down, as if Ed owed him this and he was calling in his favors. Ed broke the stare.

“You McGraws have been good neighbors to us. But it’s not Drew’s promise I’m after. I’d like your word, Ed McGraw.”

Rebekah shifted her gaze from the men to the horses in an effort to control her rising frustration. Uncle Vess wouldn’t settle for anything but Ed’s promise.

A sigh from Ed filled the air. “No need to worry about a thing, sir. You have my word.”

Tired of waiting for Ed to offer her a hand up, Rebekah scrambled into the back of the wagon herself.

Her shin clanged against the edge of the wagon, and pain shot up her leg, deepening her annoyance.

She caught the twitch of Ed’s jaw before he nodded to a small container nestled in the hay.

“Almost forgot. Kaitlyn sent a jar of jam for you.”

Rebekah hugged the gift from her friend close, smiling as she placed the jar in her satchel and settled herself beside her aunt atop the hay.

The wagon jostled, and she looked behind her to the front of the wagon.

Her gaze connected with Ed’s as he hoisted himself onto the seat.

She felt her smile fading to match his expression, and she could almost read his mind.

It’s going to be a long summer.

And for once in her life, she agreed with him.