Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
C lara leaned against Miles's solid shoulder, his arm tucked around her, the steady rhythm of the sleigh runners gliding over snow filling her ears. After at least two hours of refuge in the shed, the wind had finally lessened enough that they’d decided to brave the ride back to the house.
Pressed close to him, she could almost forget the bitter cold—and the even more chilling secret that hovered over her.
Almost.
Miles’s warm breath was on her cheek. "Penny for your thoughts?" His voice was soft, gentle.
She sighed. How could she tell him the truth about Holloway's scheme without risking everything—her uncle's job, their tentative place here, and worst of all, Miles's trust in her?
"Just thinking how wonderful this ride turned out." She forced a lightness in her tone. "In a very different way than I’d expected." At least that much was true. In the shed, talking for hours beside the fire as they ate the remainder of their packed lunch, there’d been a connection, an intimacy, unlike anything she'd experienced before.
Not just that kiss—as heart stopping and absolutely wonderful as it had been—but the conversation. She would have loved every moment sharing about her life, snuggled against him for warmth, if she didn’t have the awful secret taunting her.
She wasn’t going to steal their deed.
The fact that she’d ever considered obeying the order made it hard to meet Miles’s gaze. And even if she didn’t take action, the knowledge that Holloway wanted the deed made her guilty. Winston wanted it, and that meant Holloway would do whatever it took to get the document.
She’d been deceiving herself to think she could hold him off until they rode away. When Holloway realized she wouldn’t get the deed for him, he’d find another route.
She needed to warn Miles.
But what would that do to his opinion of her? It would start trouble between his family and the survey team.
Would the Coulters throw her and Uncle Hiram out? With the weather so bitter cold, and after betraying Holloway, where would they go?
Regardless of all that, she had to tell Miles. It was the right thing to do. She’d almost worked up the nerve to give him her news right after he told her about the sapphire mine.
But then he’d looked at her with those eyes, those beautiful, love-filled eyes?—
And yes, what she saw in them was far more than friendship. Far more than passing affection.
She’d been swept away.
So she’d allowed herself this one afternoon to try to forget about deeds and orders to steal from innocent people. To just enjoy time with this man she was falling for. To be the center of his attention.
When he talked about his ranch, her guilt ratcheted up, so she’d done much of the talking, sharing her own stories. About her stepmother and what life had been like after Sarah came into their home. Clara’s days had been easier in some ways, as her father didn’t expect her to do things she had no idea how to accomplish as a nine-year-old. Yet Sarah’s presence made life harder in other ways. Especially when Sarah got frustrated with living on such a small income and purchased things she knew they couldn’t afford.
It felt good telling Miles about her life. She’d never shared those details with anyone, not friends, not even Uncle Hiram. But Miles felt safe. As safe as her uncle, and far more handsome.
The ranch house came into view through the swirling snow, windows glowing with warm lamplight.
A knot twisted in her middle. She had to find a way to warn Miles about Holloway's intentions, without revealing the role she'd almost played. But the thought of losing Miles's trust, of seeing disappointment—or worse, disgust—in his eyes when he looked at her… It made her want to stay hidden away in this sleigh forever, cocooned in his solid warmth.
He halted the horses in front of the cabin, and she eased herself away so he could climb down. The cold assaulted her without his nearness, but he jumped to the ground and reached up to help her descend.
His gloved hands wrapped around her waist, steadying her as her feet hit the snow-packed ground. For a fleeting moment, they stood close, his hands still resting at her sides, their foggy breaths mingling in the chilly air between them.
Something shifted in his eyes, a flicker of the same heated connection they'd shared in the shed.
Her heart stuttered.
He released her and stepped back, clearing his throat. "Best get you inside before you freeze."
She nodded, the bite of cold surging once more.
As Miles led the horses to the barn, she gathered her skirts and crunched through the snow to the front door.
Before she could reach for the latch, the door swung open, revealing Dinah's relieved face. "Clara! Thank the Lord. We were about to send some of the men out searching for you two."
"I'm so sorry we worried you." Her face was too numb to smile as she stepped into the welcoming heat of the house. "The storm came on so quickly. We had to take shelter in a shed until the wind let up."
Surprise flashed in Dinah's eyes, twisting a knot in Clara’s chest.
Maybe she shouldn't have mentioned the shed. Miles probably wanted to tell his family about her knowledge in a quiet way. Would Dinah guess they’d taken refuge in the outbuilding where the sapphires were stored? Miles had said they had other buildings in some of the pastures for hay and tools.
But before she could find a way to set the woman’s mind at ease, a familiar voice cut through the room. "Miss Pendleton. I've been waiting for you."
Panic knotted her stomach as she peered around Dinah to see Emmett Holloway rising from his seat at the dining table.
Uncle Hiram sat across from him, his weathered face unreadable.
She fought to keep her own expression neutral. She had to stay calm and polite, not let her roiling emotions betray her. Showing weakness could ruin everything.
"Mr. Holloway." She dipped her chin in a respectful nod. "I apologize for my absence. The storm caught us unawares."
His sharp eyes studied her, as if trying to pluck secrets from her skin. " It seems you've had quite the adventure." He glanced briefly at Uncle Hiram before rising to his feet.
Her uncle stood as well, his lined face creased with concern. "Clara, are you all right? You must be chilled to the bone." He moved to her side, reaching out to brush snow from her shoulders with his good hand.
She managed a tight smile. "I'm fine. Just a bit cold and tired." She avoided looking at Holloway. Just the sight of the man sent anger through her veins. How dare he try to steal from these wonderful people? Even if it was an order from a superior.
Holloway cleared his throat. "Well, I'm glad you made it back safely. The weather can be treacherous this time of year." His tone was pleasant enough, but his voice hinted at suspicion.
Or maybe that was her imagination. Lord, show me how to best him.
He straightened. “I need to head back, but I brought notes for you. I left them in my saddle bag, so please walk with me to the barn.”
She summoned a smile, doing her best to keep it from wavering. "Of course.”
Holloway strode to the door, holding it open for her. She stepped out into the biting cold once more, her breath misting in the air.
They crunched through the snow in silence. Her heart pounded against her ribs. She had to find the right words, the best way to handle this.
Just before they reached the barn, the door opened, and Miles stepped out. He appeared surprised to see Holloway—and her with the man—but when Holloway dipped his chin in greeting, Miles returned the gesture.
Then his gaze met Clara’s, searching. She wanted desperately to give him a sign, to beg him for help in getting rid of this threat. But she didn’t dare.
Instead, she forced a pleasant expression. “Mr. Holloway came to deliver their survey notes.”
“Mrs. Coulter gave me the food already,” Holloway said. “It’s packed in my bags.”
The food. A new churning started in her middle. She’d not given it a single thought since leaving in the sleigh with Miles. At least she’d finished cooking before they headed out.
“Would you like help with your horse?” Miles’s words were for Holloway, but his gaze held her, asking the same question. Do you need help?
She had no choice but to shake her head. She would be all right. She just had to satisfy Holloway’s questions enough to get rid of the man.
“He’s all saddled and ready. I need to speak with Miss Pendleton alone. It’ll only take a minute.” Holloway held the barn door open for her, clearly waiting for Miles to move on.
With a final look at her, Miles finally walked on toward the house.
As the barn door closed behind her, desperation wove through her chest. In the dim space, the rich scent of hay and horses enveloped her but did nothing to calm her nerves.
Holloway led her to where his horse was tethered. He made a show of rifling through his saddlebags, then pulled out a wad of papers. Finally, he turned to face her, thrusting them out, his expression hard. "Well, Miss Pendleton? I trust you've made progress on our project."
She fought the urge to shrink back from his penetrating stare, taking the notes instead. "I'm afraid not. There’s been no opportunity to resume the search."
His brows lowered. "You've had several days now. You should have made opportunities to get at the other places. Created distractions."
Her chest clenched so tight, it was hard to breathe. "It's not that simple. The families from two other houses have been staying here. The men keep themselves armed, and they’ve even been posting a guard. With the cold weather keeping everyone else inside, there’s been no chance."
"I thought you were clever enough to manage it." His tone sharpened with impatience. "I guess I’ll have to create the distraction for you."
Panic flared through her. “Like what? What would you do?”
His gaze narrowed on her. “Leave that to me. But when it happens, you’d better see your part is done. Do you understand?”
What could she say? Did she dare argue? His icy stare sent a shiver through her. She had to think of a way to stop his scheme. But for now, she didn’t dare make him angry. Not until she had a plan.
So she nodded.
“All right then.” Holloway turned to his horse. But then he paused and looked back at her. Those piercing eyes nailed her again. “Miss Pendleton, I know you’re a kind soul, but you need to understand that if you betray me, your uncle will be the first casualty. The first of many, I can assure you.”
Her lungs stopped working, his words a weight pressing on her chest so she couldn’t draw breath.
He swung up to the saddle and nodded toward the barn door. “Open that, please.”
She forced her feet to move. The faster he left, the better.
As he rode out, his mount stepped high through the snow.
The weight on her chest barely eased.
What am I going to do, Lord? Show me how to make this right.
She was backed into a corner, and only God could make a way out of this disaster.