Page 49 of A Steadfast Heart
She bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. “He had heard our father just outside. When Father came in, I was holding the whip.”
Drew swept her into a hug. Her chest jerked as she sobbed. He ran his hand along her spine, up and down. “Did your father believe him?”
“I d-don’t think so. But he p-punished me anyway, because the schoolmaster for Michael’s new school was there. He didn’t want Michael to l-lose his place. That’s when I figured out I was just a convenience to them. A tool to use and then cast aside.”
Drew tightened his hug, careful not to squeeze too hard. “No one is disposable. Certainly not you.” She felt so tiny in his arms, yet she’d faced a lifetime of trials and still found ways to see the positive. She had steel in her backbone. If only he could shield her from the memories, but hiding them hadn’t helped her. He needed to know the whole of the story if he was going to keep her safe. “What happened to the inheritance?”
She pulled back from his chest and looked up at him. “He’s my half-brother. He has spent our father’s legacy. The money that’s left came to me from my mother, not his. But I only got an allowance until I turned twenty-five. Unless I married.”
“I see.” And he did. The whole sordid tale rooted in jealousy and greed. He tilted his head, different scenarios running through his mind. “I don’t see much he can do now that we’re married.”
Her lips trembled. “I thought I could help here. That the money would finally do something good. Buy lumber for your homesteads. Secure David, Jo, and Tillie’s future. My own as well, for that matter. But my inheritance is just as much a curse as it has always been.”
He pulled her close again. He should have already had the homestead ready to prove up instead of giving her something else to worry about. “Funding the homesteads isn’t your job.” He ran a hand gently along her back. “Much as it would hurt my pride, I would probably have accepted money from you, if you could spare it. But it isn’t worth your safety or your happiness. If letting him hang on to it keeps him in Missouri, let him have it.”
She shook her head, her face rubbing against his chest, the heat of her tears soaking through the thin fabric of his shirt. “My mother left it to me, not Michael. And—I love this ranch.”
His hand stilled on her back. She loved it here?
“Besides, it wouldn’t be enough, not if he thinks he can have the money and his debts wiped away too. I don’t know how he’ll do it, but he will. Nothing ever stops him.”
She pulled away from Drew and ran her hand across her wet cheeks, then crammed the unfolded dress back into the trunk. “If he comes here, I won’t be the only one to suffer. He’ll ruin you as well. I can’t let that happen. You m-matter too much.”
I matter too much?
Shock weakened his grip on her. He couldn’t move, could barely breathe. She had no place to go, no money to get there, and she was willing to risk leaving to keep him safe?
His eyes squeezed closed, and he let her go. That was why she was leaving? Emotion crashed through him, shaking him.
He was the oldest brother, had always protected everyone else, and this tiny woman planned to stand between him and her brother. His throat felt thick with all the emotions he didn’t have words for.
She wasn’t looking at him. “I hope you don’t mind me taking the dresses I’ve altered.”
She was still planning to leave. Frightened of what her brother might do to her, but terrified of what he might do to those around her. It was way past time someone fought for her. He ran his hand across her back, the calico fabric of her dress soft under his fingers. “You’re my wife. Stay, and we’ll face this together.”
Her face tilted up so she could meet his gaze, her hands resting on his chest. She licked her lips. “But, Drew…”
“No buts. You’re my wife.” Her face tilted just so, her lips moist and inviting, the weight of her hands against his heart—it was all too much. He lowered his head, his lips brushing hers. He tasted the salt of her tears. Tears she’d shed out of fear for him and his family. Her lips were so soft. Her hands moved, slid low on his back. She hadn’t pushed him away. Her lips moved against his—gentle, innocent. Their heat felt branded against his, but he had to pull back. Kisses weren’t in their bargain.
But he’d be willing to change the terms if she was.
He drew back slowly. Her eyes were dazed, and he ran a finger along her lips. So soft. He’d never thought he could trust a woman again, never thought he’d find a woman who loved the ranch. He’d given up looking. And yet, here she was. He stepped back, and his arms felt empty. “We’ll deal with Michael together. If he comes here, you won’t face him alone. I’ll stay right with you, protect you.” He ran his knuckles along her cheek. “We’ll focus on the homesteads first, since we can’t do much about your brother until he gets here. If he gets here.”
Kaitlyn glanced up at him, then dropped her gaze. Her cheeks flushed. “He’s my half-brother. And he’ll come.”
“Half-brother. I’ll remember that.”
Clanging sounded through the door. He sighed. “Sounds like Jo’s in the kitchen. I’d better go check on her.” He moved to the door, then glanced over his shoulder. Kaitlyn hadn’t moved, hadn’t put anything else in the trunk. She’d been crying at the thought of leaving. Unlike Amanda, who’d cried at the thought of staying. Maybe friendship wasn’t a bad addition to their deal after all.
* * *
Kaitlyn’s head still throbbed, even though it had been a couple of hours since her bout of tears. Now everyone was crowded around the dinner table. Several of the brothers had glanced her way questioningly. Maybe the cold water she’d washed with hadn’t erased all the puffiness.
Her stew could have used a little more seasoning, but nobody else seemed to notice. Tillie sat next to her, Ed on his niece’s other side.
“My meat’s too big.”
Kaitlyn must’ve winced at the whine in Tillie’s voice. Ed looked her way, but she just didn’t have the energy to move. He pulled Tillie’s plate in front of him and cut the meat, then handed it back to her.
