Heart of Integrity (Hearts of the West, #2)

Chapter 17

“Off out again, young Susie?”

Susan froze at the familiar, sickening voice, then resumed her pace.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed John Murphy fall into step beside her.

“Perhaps I’ll just have to come along with you. Pay that old biddy a visit of my own.”

Susan stopped walking and spun to face him. “What did you say?”

He stepped toward her. “You heard me. I told you I’d be watching you. Now tell me, what’s a sprightly young thing like you doing spending her afternoons with an oul woman like that?”

“She’s my friend. And it’s none of your business, anyway.”

He moved closer. “Oh, I assure you it is my business, love. You are my business, remember?”

Bile rose in Susan’s throat. “No, John Murphy. Now,I can’t stop you and Da from being here, but I came to California for a new life. And I’m not going to let you take that away from me. I’ve worked hard to?—”

John cackled. “Worked hard? Sitting in a wee post office shuffling letters around? And cleaning some old biddy’s house?” A cruel glint flickered in his eyes. “And what about that young fella you’ve been spending time with, eh? You working hard for him, too?”

Her throat went dry.“You leave me alone, John Murphy. You’ve no right to be following me about and asking questions about things that are none of your concern!”

She stormed into motion again, hoping he’d leave her alone and walk away.

But when did he ever do that?

He gripped her arm, and yanked her around to face him. “I don’t care who you’re courting on the side, love, but you’d best remember that you gave me and your oul fella your word. Now, phase one of the plan is going down tonight, so you’d better be back at your house by sundown if you know what’s good for you.”

“I’m not taking part in any plan. I told you that. Just leave me alone!”

“I don’t think you understand me, young Susie. You do what you said you’d do, or I’ll have to pay a visit to one of your new friends. Maybe both.”

Susan’s blood ran cold. “Now, you listen here, Joh?—”

He squeezed her arm, cutting offher circulation. “No, you listen. Be back at sundown, or else you’ll be burying your first set of friends over here. Got it?”

He tightened his gripeven more—though she’d hardly imagined it possible—and scowled at her. His cold eyes meant business. She shuddered.

He released his grip and shoved her before storming away, back in the direction of her house.

They were making a start on their wretched plan tonight? She had to think of something—figure out a way to stop them. But how? What could she do? She was helpless.

She reached Opal’s house in a daze. Drawing a few deep breaths before knocking the door, she fought to gather her emotions. Opal was perceptive. How was she going to pretend that all was well while she polished her silverware and prepared her food? As soon as the woman would see her, she’d?—

The door swung open, and Ifor’s gentle gaze met her own. “Miss Kelly, come in.”

Susan’s stomach flipped. Why did he have to be so handsome, so kind? “Afternoon, Mr. Morgan.”

She stepped inside and he closed her into Opal’s hallway, her heart beating louder and faster with each passing second.

“How are you today?” His voice was warm and caring.

“Oh, I’m grand, thanks. And you?” She couldn’t meet his gaze. Didn’t want him to see the truth in her eyes.

“I am well, thank you.”

She gave a brief nod, then turned and strode into Opal’s sitting room. After exchanging a few pleasantries with the woman, she headed straight for the kitchen, eager to be out of Opal’s keen observance.

She started preparing the bread, and was kneading it when the door opened and Ifor’s head appeared.

“Mind if I keep you company for a little while?”

She shrugged and continued kneading, her heart and mind torn. Of course she wanted his company. But after what John Murphy had said, she didn’t feel able to face anyone. Especially Ifor.

He slowly entered the room, closing the door behind him before pulling one of the kitchen chairs aside. He lowered himself into it.“Nice day today.”

She kept kneading, grateful that her work afforded her an opportunity to avoid making eye contact with him. “It’s always nice here.”

“Is it?”

She stopped for a second and couldn’t help glancing at him. Just as quickly as her eyes met his, she shifted her gaze back to the dough.

He stood, then approached her. His closeness was terrifying, yet wonderful. How could that be?

“Miss Kelly...”

His words trailed into silence. It took all her willpower not to glance at him again.

His warm hand landed gently on hers, successfully pausing her work.

“Miss Kelly, there is something which I...well, there is... I must—” He sighed. “Please, permit me to address something with you.”

The touch of his hand was like nothing she’d ever experienced. Safety, warmth, kindness.

Belonging.

No.

She slipped her hand out from under his and smoothed her hair. “Very well, Mr. Morgan, but I do have a number of chores to see to.”

Oh, great. Now she’d gone from trying to sound indifferent to sounding downright rude.

Undeterred—in a kind way, not thecontrolling way she was more used to—he gently nudged her chin with his finger, encouraging her to look at him, which she reluctantly did.

“Miss Kelly, I simply have to tell you something.” He swallowed. “I... I care about you. Very much. And I wish you to know that, because I fear that...” He swallowed again. “I, well?—”

Was he trembling, too, or was it just her?

“I could never stand idly by if I knew that someone was causing you harm. You must promise me, Miss Kelly, that if ever anyone tries to hurt you—or succeeds in hurting you—that you will come to me.” His dark eyes burned with sincerity.“That you will seek my aid. And I wish you to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I would gladly, and readily, give it.”

Her heart thrummed with emotion. Though it was agony at present to hold his gaze, she felt as though she could gladly look into his eyes for the rest of her life. A strong urge to weep filled her, and she blinked rapidly, desperate to hold back the moisture that was now stinging her eyes.

Ifor exhaled. It sounded shaky, which only added to the tension already filling the air all around them.

She swallowed hard, twice in a row. “Mr. Morgan?—”

He inched ever so slightly closer. “Ifor. You can call me Ifor.”

Her head was light, her heart racing. “Ifor...” What had she even been going to say? Her mind was blank, save for the awareness of how close they were, and how much closer she wished they could be.

“Might...” He cleared his throat. “Might I call you Susan?” His voice was almost a whisper.

Her name sounded lovely in his soothing accent. As though it always should’ve sounded that way.

She nodded, unable to speak.

A hopeful smile touched his lips, and shone from his eyes. He reached out, taking her hands in his.

She didn’t think it possible that her heart could beat so fast. She watched as his gaze took in her eyes, her lips, her hair. Then, she found herself observing all those places on him—each one the loveliest she’d ever seen.

“Promise me, Susan.”

Promise him what? Surely he couldn’t be?—

“Promise me that if anyone ever tries to hurt you, that you’ll come to me.”

Oh! That’s right... That’s what he’d said.

But how could she promise such a thing? The last thing she wanted was for John Murphy to follow through on his threat to hurt Ifor and Opal. And if there was ever a man cruel enough to do so, it was John Murphy.

She slipped her hands out of his and turned back to her kneading. “I’m fine. Fine. You’ve no need to worry.”

A warm hand cupped her shoulder. “Susan, I think I know how you really got that bruise on your wrist.”

She froze. How could he know? Had John already visited here? Had he already threatened them?

She looked up at him in alarm.

He spoke softly. Compassionately. “It was your father, wasn’t it?”

She’d never seen hisbrow and eyes so filled with sorrow.

“What? No. No, Da’s never given me a bruise.” Not on her skin, at least. Only on her heart.

Ifor frowned. “That’s the truth? Because you can tell me, Susan. I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”

How kind this man was. What a rarity.

“That’s the truth.”

He was silent as he observed her, as though desperately trying to discern whether or not she’d spoken honestly. “Well... Even if he has not harmed you—and I truly am glad if he has not—I still want you to promise that you will come to me if anyone ever does.”

She nodded, her heart crumbling inside at her deception.

She could never tell him. Not about John.

Not about any of it.