The Tender Vine (Diamond of the Rockies #3)(6)

“Oh!” She pushed his hand away. “As though I haven’t fed and encouraged and—”

“I’m well aware of your efforts, Carina. But nothing is wrong with the mine.” His voice was level, reassuring.

She was being childish and petulant. She knew it. But this man brought out the worst in her. The worst and the best. She softened. He was trying, was he not? “Can you travel on the snow?”

“The pack should be hard enough. You’ve seen me use the chains, and I’ve spiked the wheelers’ hooves.”

“You have to go?”

He didn’t answer, though his eyes said he wouldn’t otherwise.

She sighed. “Then I suppose . . .” She looked up at the knock on the door.

Quillan crossed and opened the door to Alex Makepeace. Carina’s heart jumped. She hadn’t seen him since the night of the attack, and even then she’d been all but unconscious. Mae had mentioned that he asked after her, but he hadn’t once come to see for himself. Because Quillan had come home.

Now with the two of them together, the air crackled. Blood burned her cheeks as she met Alex’s eyes and realized how far she’d let things go. Quillan must see it, too. She was suddenly aware that she was in her bed, covered with blankets and a woolen shawl over her shoulders, her hair loose over her shoulders. She could imagine the picture she presented.

Alex took off his hat and held it to his chest. “How are you, Carina?”

Her throat tightened sharply. “Better than I might be without your help.” How stiff she sounded. “I never thanked you.”

“Your husband has.”

Implicit in that was the conclusion to their friendship. They could not return to a superficial acquaintance.

Quillan said, “You’re ready?” His voice sounded as tight as Carina felt.

Alex nodded.

Quillan moved between them. “I have the wagon provisioned. You have the documents?”

Documents? What were they doing? Business, Quillan said, business with the mine that didn’t concern her. Alex nodded, careful not to look her way again. She wished he would, but then she didn’t. It was Quillan’s glance she craved.

Quillan said, “I’ll meet you at the livery as soon as I take leave of my wife.”

Now Alex did look. “Good-bye, Carina. I hope your recovery is swift.”

She forced a smile, but no words came. It hurt to see him so withdrawn, he who had upheld her hopes and spirits, given her kindness and compassion and good humor. Though chaste, they had crossed emotional boundaries. And he was hurt by it. She must never let that happen again.

Quillan closed the door behind Alex and returned to the bedside. “I won’t be later than tomorrow unless—”

“Your safety is first.” She reached a hand to his sleeve. “Don’t take risks you shouldn’t.”

He frowned. “Are you afraid for me or for him?” His anger flashed, then receded. He dropped to a squat and clasped her hand. “I’m sorry. I had no right to say that.” But she knew he’d seen her affection for Alex, and it burned him. What in another man might be jealousy, in this one was poison.

She started to speak, but he covered her lips with his hand. “You don’t owe me an explanation, and frankly, nothing you say would speak more truly than your face already did. But I’ll tell you one thing, Carina.

No one will have the chance to take my place again. No one.”

A soft whimper escaped her throat as he caught her face between his hands and stared at her hard until she thought she could bear it no longer. “Nothing short of a blizzard will keep me away tomorrow.” He stood, but his gaze lingered on hers. “I’ll even bring Alex Makepeace back with me.” He gave her his rogue’s smile.

It tugged at her heart, made it leap inside her breast. Certainly he would kiss her; she wanted him to. But he backed two steps away from the bed, turned slowly on his heel, and crossed to the door. Sam sprang up, but he ordered the dog to stay, then left them.

Sam whined at the wood separating him from his master. His whole body swung with the wag of his tail, hoping the door would open and the hand he craved wave him on. As the moment passed and Sam’s sharp ears told him Quillan was gone, he dropped his head and padded to her bedside, his brown eyes forlorn.

“I know how you feel.” Carina stroked his head. “But he’ll be back.” She wished she felt more certain of that.





THREE

To claim I am a man betrayed and rant against my plight,

I must admit I should have stayed and kept her in my sight.

What fool to flee her sweet embrace,

to tear her love apart, and let another take my place within her weeping heart.

—Quillan

QUILLAN AND ALEX MAKEPEACE rode the steep, snow-packed road between Crystal and Leadville. It might have been easier to travel horseback, but with the wagon, Quillan could make the trip count twice. He’d bring back a light load, things he could sell at a profit in Crystal, which was less accessible than Leadville. He’d already resupplied Carina’s larder, but there were plenty of others, Mrs. Barton in particular, who would pay well for anything he brought her.

And if they were stopped by a storm, the wagon would provide shelter. He’d spent one night beneath it with Carina while a blizzard raged around them. He didn’t warm to the thought of doing the same with Alex Makepeace, but weather was chancy in the mountains. Better to be prepared.