purchased a change of clothes at the general store, a transaction that further depleted his already dismal purse.
There was an old mirror in one of the rooms and he used it to shave.
He barely recognized the man that stared back at him. His face looked gaunt, his cheeks hollow. His eyes were cold as they weighed the face.
No wonder he’d frightened his sister.
He didn’t look anything like his father or brother, and his mother had died at Marilee’s birth. He didn’t have Dillon’s light hazel eyes and dark hair, the same features their father had.
His face had hardened; the softness of youth gone. It came of commanding men, of sending them into battle where they might-and did-die. It came from leaving too many on the battle?eld and in the prison, where hunger was a constant and fever took as many lives as bullets and cannonballs had.
Given that, could he ever provide the nurturing a small child required? The nurturing and sense of safety she deserved?
Would she be better off with the McGuire woman?
The thought was unbelievably painful, but it continued to play in his mind.
And his heart.
Perhaps today his sister would open up to him, or at least acknowledge him. Until she did, he would have a huge hole in his heart.
ELIZABETH slept restlessly. She had stayed at Marilee’s side until she had gone to sleep.
After leaving for her own bed, she still listened for the nightmares before drifting off into an uneasy sleep. At some time, she heard her farther come in the house. By the loud sounds, she knew he had been drinking.
She chose not to confront him tonight. When drinking, he promised the moon. He seldom kept-or even remembered-those promises.
She couldn’t really blame him. Not with failure riding toward them. No cattle, no taxes. No taxes, no land…
Sighing, she knew there would be no talking to him tonight.
ELIZABETH rose at daybreak. Marilee was still sleeping. Perhaps yesterday had not been as frightening to Marilee as Elizabeth feared. That would make it easier for Seth and Marilee to make their peace.
Easier for her to lose the child that had become a daughter to her. Perhaps the only one she might ever have the chance to mother. A sickening sense of loss ?ooded her.
But then Seth Sinclair had his losses, too.
She felt small and sel?sh.
She had no doubt he would return. No doubt that he cared for his sister and her welfare. His leaving her here had convinced her of that.
She tried not to consider the fact that she wanted to see him again. She only wanted him to meet quietly with his sister. It was the right thing to do. At least, she hoped it was the right thing.
She did not want him to meet her father. She knew her father’s quick temper. She’d also recognized the tense emotions in Seth Sinclair. He wore a gun like a man who knew how to use it. And after killing Northerners for four years, would he have any qualms about killing one who he believed was stealing his land?
She needed to keep them apart. As long as possible.
She didn’t intend to tell her father about their visitor.
As if summoned by her thoughts, he stumbled into the kitchen, his hair mussed, his face still ruddy from drinking, his eyes bloodshot.
“I waited for you last night,” she said.
He looked sheepish. It was an expression she knew too well. He always thought it would cleanse his sins. It no longer did, in her eyes.
“I was talking to Major Delaney. He invited me to dinner to discuss these cattlethieving rebels.”
“Did he offer any help?”
“Well… not right now, but he promised he will.”
“And how will we repay the loan you took out if our cattle keep disappearing?”
“He will help us,” he said stubbornly. “And I asked him for supper tomorrow night. He was asking after you. He’s sweet on you.” He looked at her with his bloodshot eyes.
A cold chill shot through her. She had disliked and distrusted Delaney from the ?rst moment she’d met him. For some reason, he was seeking her out. She’d found that strange, since few men had before. She knew she was no beauty, and she had never tried to improve her appearance for a man who repelled her.
“He is twice my age, and I have no interest in him. You know that.”
His face fell. “Every woman wants a husband and children.”
“Not without love.”
He reached out and touched her cheek. “I always disappoint you, lass. I never wanted to do that.” He dropped his hand. “Howie and I will go out and look for cattle. There’s bound to be strays. Enough to start a new herd. Perhaps I can borrow some money. We’ll make it.”
“And Major Delaney?” she asked.
“It would please me if you would be pleasant to him tomorrow night,” he said, “but I expect no more.”
Her father rose wearily and he looked old. She’d never noticed that about him before. He was always so full of life, sober or drunk. But now he looked years older than his actual age. His face was pale, even gray looking.
“Are you ill?” she asked.
“Just the effects of last night.” He reached out and touched her shoulder. “I am sorry, lass. I truly am. I just want to know you will be taken care of.”
The way he said the words sent a chill through her. It was as if he knew something…
“Is anything wrong?”
“Nay, Liz. I’m just getting old and I want to make sure you are safe. You would have a handsome future with the major.”
He had used her before. He had used her as bait, as a shill. But he had never tried to sell her. He wouldn’t do that.
As soon as the insidious thought came, she dismissed it.
He would never consciously hurt her. He should know that one of the Sinclairs had returned to reclaim the land her father ?rmly believed was his. But if she told him now, he would stay. He would try to defend this land just as Seth Sinclair’s father had tried to protect what was his.
Elizabeth couldn’t stand it if the two men fought and one was killed.
She watched as he gave Marilee a huge hug when the sleepy child came into the room. She remembered those hugs, and how comforting they had been.
Marilee snuggled into his embrace for a moment, then looked up.
Elizabeth prayed the child wouldn’t say anything about yesterday, about her brother. Best that her father left before he knew about Sinclair.
And then…
She had plans.
They did not include Major Delaney. Compared to the rebel who had saved her life, he was certainly wanting in many aspects. Certainly appearance. She suspected in character as well.
She’d never thought she would-could-be attracted to a rebel, to someone who fought against his own country. And yet his devotion to his family and his courage in stopping the horse had more than impressed her. She was moved by his gentleness with his sister despite his obvious desire to grab her and take her away.
She had never been affected by a man as she was by him. His touch had been like a brand that seared through her blood. Her heart raced when she thought of him.
Elizabeth had never believed in love at ?rst sight and of course, it hadn’t been at ?rst sight. But she suspected second sight was just as risky.
Particularly when he wanted what her father had.
She told herself such feelings were ?eeting. Love, if there was such a thing, was built on trust, and knowledge of each other and common interests. She had no common interests with an angry guntoting rebel.
