Unending Devotion (Michigan Brides #1)(63)

The razor-sharp saw blades in Connell’s gut whizzed faster. He had to do something to save Lily. And now. But if he did, what would that mean for his future? For McCormick Lumber? For everything he’d worked so hard to achieve for the company?

“Let’s go,” she said. “We can’t waste any more time.”

With a groan, Connell stood and reached for her. Through the dark his fingers found hers, and he captured them within his.

She stopped, and this time she didn’t try to pull away from him.

“I’ll take you,” he whispered.

Her fingers trembled. “Take me?”

“I’ll drive you and Daisy out of Harrison.”

“You will?” Her question was breathless.

“Yes.”

Her grip tightened.

The strength from her touch seemed to move up his arm and through his body. It swirled through the sawdust of his insides and finally landed in his heart, infusing it with resolve. And with something he’d never felt before. He didn’t know what it was. All he knew was that he couldn’t let her ride out of his life. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“I’ll make sure you and Daisy are safe. I’ll take care of everything.”

At his soft promise, she sagged against him as if the weariness from her long night and the dangerous escape had finally settled upon her.

“You and Daisy stay here until I come for you.” Even as his mind went to work formulating an escape plan, he tugged Lily’s knitted hat from her head, letting her long hair spill in disarray down her shoulders.

She didn’t resist.

He combed the curls away from her neck, letting his fingers revel in the silkiness. He bent his face into a handful, breathing in the scent, as sweet and thick as maple sap after a boiling. “While I’m gone, please don’t do anything impetuous.”

“Me? Impetuous?” Her voice had a hint of a smile.

He might have grinned if the situation hadn’t been so dangerous. As it was, he tugged her closer. “Promise me you won’t try to do anything more on your own.”

“I promise.”

“I’ll be back later.” With the firm self-control he’d cultivated over the years, Connell let go of Lily, dragged his fingers from her hair, and took several steps away from her.

Now wasn’t the time to hold her again. He’d only end up thinking about the kiss they’d shared and how much he’d liked it.

Nothing good would come of dwelling on the intimacy. Especially not when he needed a clear mind, keen instincts, and solidness of purpose.

There was too much at stake for him to fail.

He couldn’t bear to think what would happen to them all if he did.





Chapter

19



Midmorning, Connell drove his team of horses hitched to the box sleigh around the back of Stuart’s house. He’d filled it with the usual weekly supplies from Sturgis’s Grocery and General Store—sacks of beans, cornmeal, potatoes, and barrels of flour. He hoped no one besides Mr. Sturgis would realize he was three days early for his usual pickup and delivery to his camps.

He jumped from the high seat of the sleigh and glanced around to the scattering of other houses with the same weatherworn, peeling paint. They’d likely been white several years ago when they’d first been built. But now the boards were a dirty gray—the same color as the slush mixture that sat in lumps along the dirt streets.

He hadn’t noticed before just how shabby and sleazy Harrison looked.

With narrowed eyes, he surveyed the Stockade. From the outside, everything was placid and silent—just as it always was during daylight hours.

But every place he’d gone that morning, everyone had talked about how Bella had run away during the night. And Carr was apparently handing out favors to anyone who could give him information about the girl or Lily. Apparently he’d put the rumors together and figured out Lily’s involvement.

Connell had no doubt Carr’s men were still out searching.

He tossed a canvas over the load of supplies and then turned toward Stuart’s house. His muscles were tight, and he prayed no one would suspect him.

“Where have you been?” Lily met him at the back door, her brows wrinkled.

At least she’d kept her promise and stayed in the house as he’d asked.

“I couldn’t rush anything and draw attention to myself,” he said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “And of course I had to calm Vera and Oren down without giving away my escape plans. They’ll be safer not knowing.”

She nodded, and the worried lines on her forehead eased.

“Are you ready to go?” He peered past her through the kitchen to the front room, where Daisy lay curled on a faded settee.

“Stuart found an old skirt and blouse that belonged to his wife.” Lily followed his gaze and her expression softened. “At first Daisy didn’t want to wear them. She thought they were too big and unfashionable. But I finally convinced her to put them on.”

“No need to worry about fashion at a time like this.”

“I offered her mine too, but apparently what I wear is even less fashionable.”

He’d never paid much attention to her attire. “It doesn’t matter what you wear. You’re always beautiful.” The words slipped out before he could stop them. He ducked his head, but not before he caught sight of the smile that tugged at her lips.