Unending Devotion (Michigan Brides #1)(49)

“Good luck getting even a few,” Connell said. “People are afraid of him.”

“You mean you’re afraid of him.” Sudden irritation pushed her straighter in the chair.

Connell didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then he sighed. “I’m not afraid of him personally. But he has the power to damage McCormick Lumber.”

“Then you won’t join in the crusade?”

“I’m not willing to jeopardize everything my father’s worked for all these years just for the slight chance that we can raise public awareness and dislike of Carr. What good will it do?”

Anger needled her, driving her to her feet. “How can you say such a thing?” Her voice trembled. Even though she’d expected less enthusiasm from Connell for her plan, she’d hoped with all that had happened to Frankie that he’d had a change of heart about fighting against the evil.

“I want to see Carr brought to justice as much as you do,” Connell said quickly. “But a bunch of angry townspeople won’t be able to make a dent against him. We’re going to have to wait until we have something big to use against him.”

“I can’t wait!” When she’d lain in bed and formulated her plans, she’d been so sure she was doing what God wanted. He was putting the pieces of her life together—like Vera had mentioned. And surely He wouldn’t mind her stepping in and moving things along more quickly. Oren would finish his picture taking in another week or two. Her time in Harrison was numbered. “I need to do all I can right away.”

“If we rush, we’ll only bring trouble upon ourselves. Haven’t you learned that by now?”

“The lives of precious young girls are at stake. What’s more important? Your father’s bank account or saving lives?”

“Aw, come on, Lily. That’s not a fair question.”

She shot a glance at Stuart, hoping for his support.

He reached absently for a wooden box on the table next to the press. An assortment of lead type clinked together within the cases.

“Stuart knows how much trouble he’ll bring down on himself if he faces off against Carr,” Connell said. “Don’t you, Stu?”

Stuart hesitated. Then he looked at Connell. “I understand what you’re saying, but if Lily is brave enough to fight against the devil, don’t you think we should too, no matter what it might cost us?”

“You could end up losing a lot of business,” Connell said. “And if Carr gets mad enough, you’ll risk losing the newspaper altogether.”

“Maybe that’s a chance I’ll have to take.” Stuart glanced at her as if seeking her affirmation.

She gave him what she hoped was an encouraging smile. “We all have to make sacrifices in the fight for what’s right.”

“Think about it, Connell,” Stuart pleaded. “As a man with status in this community, if you join in the fight, you’ll set a great example to many others and give them courage.”

Connell was quiet for a long moment. Finally he sighed. “As much as I’d like to see Carr get what he deserves, I can’t throw away everything I’ve worked so hard to build in the McCormick business for the slim chance you’ll be able to stop the man.”

Lily didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until it swooshed out, taking all her anger with it. All that was left was an empty ache—regret that Connell wasn’t the man she wanted him to be, the kind of man who would sacrifice for things that really mattered.

As though sensing her frustration with him, he lifted his head. “Don’t worry. You won’t have to put up with me any longer. I’m moving out of the Northern today.”

“You are?” she said at the same time as Stuart.

She didn’t want to care where he went or what he did—but she did care. A whole lot.

“With all the recent rumors . . .” he started but then stopped and kicked a wadded paper across the littered floor.

Oren had been muttering under his breath all week about nasty rumors men were spreading about her and Connell, but she’d hoped he was being overprotective like he usually was. “Tell me what they’re saying,” she said. “I can handle it.”

Faint streaks of red crawled up his neck.

She waited for a moment for Connell to elaborate. When he didn’t, she turned to Stuart. “They better not be jumping to the worst kinds of conclusions. They know Connell’s a good man and wouldn’t take advantage of me.”

Stuart dug his fingers around in the case of type and peered at the various pieces intently, as if nothing were more important at that moment than finding a particular letter.

“What are people saying?” she asked, glancing from one man to the other. But neither would meet her gaze.

Wariness settled in her stomach. “I guess that means people are assuming the worst?”

Finally Connell’s eyes met hers. The apology in them only made her more uneasy. “The rumors are ugly, Lily. And I’d rather you didn’t have to hear them.”

“I’m sure I’ll find out eventually.”

Anguish mixed with the apology in his eyes and wrinkled his brow. “They’re saying that I’m living with you in sin—that you’re my harlot.”

Even though his words came as no surprise, they crashed into her anyway with a force that left her reeling with embarrassment.