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

Chapter 19

“Well, it’s time for me to go now,” Susan said as she strode back into the sitting room.

“My, how time flies when there’s such good company here!” Opal said with a smile.

Ifor stood. “I supposeI’d best be heading back, too, now...”

Susan’s heart fluttered at the thought of walking back into town with him—just the two of them, together.

“Is there anything you’d like me to bring you tomorrow?” she asked Opal, trying to restrain herself from glancing at Ifor again and again.

“Oh, maybe some more honey, dear. I can walk you through how to make my famous honey cakes.”

Susan smiled. “That would be lovely. All right. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

Ifor and Susan took turns huggingOpal goodbye.

On their way out,Susan reluctantly picked up her wages from the little table in the hallway.“I feel bad taking her money.”

“Nonsense. She’s determined to pay you, and you the Bible says, the laborer’s?—”

“—worth his wage. I know. She told me that yesterday.”

They shared a fond smile, and resumed walking.

“You cooking for your da again tonight?” Susan asked, unsure what else to say. Why did he make her feel so tongue-tied?

“Yes, I always cook for him. It’s better that way, trust me.” He appended a throaty chuckle to his words.

Susan smiled.

“What about you—do you have anything nice planned this evening?”

Her smile faded as her stomach lurched. Tonight. John Murphy. The plan. She’d actually managed to forget about it for a while, thanks to Ifor and Opal and all that had been said and done in her new little haven of Opal’s house.

“Susan? What’s the matter?”

When had she stopped walking? “Uh, no, I’m grand.”

“Susan...”

She could hear the warning in his voice, the concern. The hope that she’d be honest and open with him.

“I’m grand.” She resumed walking, trying her best to look as fine as she claimed she was.

Ifor fell into step next to her. “Susan, if there’s something troubling you, I only want to help.”

“I know. But I’m grand.” She paused. “Thank you.”

Her stomach churned. Maybe there was a way she could talk the two of them out of it. One thing was for certain—she would not be going with them. And she wouldn’t be giving them the key. Maybe she could hide it when she got back. No matter what, she wouldn’t give it to them—no matter how much they’d rough her up.

Too soon they neared the lane her little house was on. “I’d better go. Need to get dinner on, myself.”

Ifor caught her arm gently as she moved to leave. He let go immediately, though his gaze held her rooted to the spot.

“Promise me that you’ll come to me if you need help—in any way.” His dark eyes were earnest with care.

“I will,” she said, hoping that it wouldn’t have to come to that. Hoping that the skeletons in her closest wouldn’t all come tumbling out.

“All right, then.” He gave her a nod, though his expression clearly indicated his hesitation. After a moment, he shifted his weight to his other foot. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then. At Opal’s.”

Her heart warmed a little, despite the trepidation that flooded her wondering what the next few hours might bring. “See you tomorrow, then.”

He lingered a moment, as did she, until eventually he turned to go.

Looking back over his shoulder, he called out, “Noswaith dda!”

She smiled. “What does that mean?”

“Good evening.” He grinned at her, walking backward so he was facing her.

“Nos... Whatever you said!”

His laugh rumbled through the air. She couldn’t stop one of her own from escaping.

He waved, an expression of utter gentleness on his face, then turned and strode off into the gathering twilight.

She basked in the happiness he’d given her for a moment, then turned and steeled herself for a showdown with John Murphy.

She didn’t try to be quiet as she let herself into the house. It was her house, after all. And she was done with letting the two of them boss her around in it. This wasn’t Dublin. She wasn’t the same girl who’d been too desperate for affection and acceptance to say no to what she knew was wrong.

Her conversations with Opal the past few days had opened her eyes about God—about right and wrong.

And now, more than ever, she was determined to shake off the shackle of John Murphy once and for all.

“Young Susie. About time.” John appeared in the doorway connecting the kitchen to the sitting room, wearing his typical scowl.

Susan ignored him as she retrieved various items from various cupboards in order to start makingdinner.

“Where is it, then?”

She pumped water into the pot and grabbed a knife from a drawer to peel the potatoes.

John moved a few paces forwardinto the kitchen.“Did you hear me?”

She stayed silent and carried on with her preparations.

He was beside her now.“Where is it, young Susie? You’d better answer me, or?—”

“I’m not giving it to you.” She spun around, glaring at him to show how serious she was.

His eyes narrowed. “What?”

“You heard me. Now, I’m telling you for the last time—get out of my house, and don’t come back.”

Her father shuffled into the kitchen.“Ah, now, Susan...”

She shifted her gaze to her father. “And if you’re so determined to throw your life away with this eejit, you can get out, too!”

John lunged at her and seized her wrists. One hand still held the knife. Fear coiled around her spine. He’d think nothing ofusing it against her. She had no doubt of that.

“Give me the key now, or I swear?—”

“Let go of me!”

“Come on, now, John,” her father said. He hesitated.“Just give him the key, Susan, like you said you would.”

“I knew you’d take his side!” She struggled against John, only this time, she wasn’t about to let disappointment and betrayal sap her strength. “Get off me!”

John seemed surprised she was fighting back. With a grunt, he shoved her against the cupboards, throwing her off balance. She held tight to the knife, but it was getting harder and harder to do so.

John released one of her wrists so he could smack her across the face with his hand.

“Ah!” She dropped the knife, the pain and surprise catching her off guard. “No!”

John kicked the knife away from them and grabbed her wrist again. He twisted her arms. “Give me the key. Now.” He bellowed the last word right in her ear.

“I won’t! I’m not doing it! I want nothing to do with you or your stupid?—”

He bashed his face against hers and blackness took over.

She thought she heard her father calling her name as everything slipped away.