Unending Devotion (Michigan Brides #1)(62)

“We’ll be okay. I’ll take Daisy far away, someplace where Carr won’t ever be able to find us.”

He wanted to tell her that he couldn’t bear the thought of her dying. Or leaving. But he knew he had no claim to her, that she could do anything she wanted.

She trembled.

“You’re freezing.” He wanted to rub his hands over her back and arms and warm her up. But with a painful swallow, he stepped away from her. “I’ll get you and Daisy blankets.”

“What’s going on here?” Stuart’s sleepy voice came from the stairway. He held up a lantern with one hand and rubbed his half-open eyes with the other.

“Put out the light,” Lily said, glancing to the front window.

But Stuart lifted it higher, bringing the front room to life with its clutter of papers, the crooked sampler on the wall, and the scattering of mismatched dirty socks. The light seemed to shine directly on Daisy, illuminating Lily’s coat, which couldn’t adequately cover her bare night shift and long slender legs.

“Quick.” Lily waved at the light. “Extinguish it before anyone sees it.”

Stuart rubbed his eyes as if he were still half asleep.

“I’ve got Daisy.” She reached for her sister. “And if Carr’s men see the light, they’ll know we’re here.”

Stuart’s gaze locked on Connell. “What are you doing down here without your clothes on?”

Connell glanced down to his union suit. He hadn’t stopped to think about pulling on a shirt and pants.

Stuart frowned.

“If you snuff the light you won’t see him,” Lily said, her tone laced with irritation.

At the distant bark of a dog and the shout of one of Carr’s men, Connell took three steps toward Stu, grabbed the light, and with one puff blew out the flame.

Darkness descended over them.

“What’s happening?” Stuart asked again, this time his voice more alert.

“I’ve got to get Daisy out of town.” Lily edged toward the window and peered out. “But I don’t want to chance trying to make it down Main Street—not now with Carr’s men out searching.”

“I don’t understand.” The perplexity in Stuart’s question echoed the confusion churning through Connell.

He didn’t know what was wrong with him, but he loathed the idea of letting Lily go, letting her ride out of his life. What if she went someplace where he couldn’t find her?

In hushed tones she explained how she’d managed to get Daisy out of the Stockade and how she’d planned to borrow Oren’s cutter.

“If one of you will go get it for me,” she said, “then we can be well on our way before dawn.”

“If Carr’s men see one of us riding through town,” Connell said, “they’re going to know we’re up to something.”

Lily gave an exasperated sigh. “What do you suggest then? That we walk through town in broad daylight and catch a ride on the Pere Marquette?”

“Oh, Lily,” Daisy said softly. “Maybe this is all too dangerous. Maybe I should just go turn myself back in.”

“No!” Lily’s whisper was harsh. “Don’t even think about going back. I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”

“Carr might be a cruel bastard,” Daisy whispered. “But he didn’t hurt me as long as I did everything he asked me to do.”

“You’re not going back. Not now—now that you’re finally free.”

“Maybe I can tell him you forced me to it.”

“Daisy! Stop! How could you even say such a thing? Don’t you want to get away?”

“Yes.”

Connell’s insides twisted like the logs going through the giant circular saw blade at the mill. How could he keep Lily safe?

He knew one thing. He wouldn’t let her step a foot outside the door by herself. And he certainly couldn’t let her ride out of town in Oren’s cutter. Carr would track her down within the hour.

What other choice did he have besides driving her out of town himself and taking her somewhere safe?

“What about one of your horses?” Lily asked. “If you get us a horse, we’ll take that instead.”

Stuart looked out the window to the livery down the street. “I’ll go get mine.” But even as Stuart said the words, more footsteps echoed in the street outside the house.

Lily jerked Daisy back with her against the door. Connell crouched and prayed Carr’s men weren’t coming back to break down the door.

The footsteps and voices passed by, but Connell’s fingers were at his sheath nonetheless.

After several minutes of silence, Lily finally whispered to Stuart. “Go now. If you bring the horse around to the back of the house, we’ll meet you there.”

Connell buried his face in his hands. Stuart would throw himself onto the point of a dagger if Lily asked him to.

Cautiously Stuart peeked out the window again.

Connell shook his head. “It won’t work, Lily. You won’t be able to make it out of town. And if you do, they’ll be on your trail before you’re halfway to Clare.”

She turned to Stuart. “Do you have a gun?”

“Sure—”

“Then we’ll be just fine.” She lifted her chin in defiance. “I’ve had to outrun bouncers before.”