Chapter 10
Mason followed her gaze.
The road was empty.
When he looked back, Clara had already turned toward the house.
He watched her go, a growing certainty settling in his stomach.
Someone was coming.
And she knew it.
The following afternoon, Mason found Clara behind the barn.
She stood braced against the wooden siding, one hand pressed against her stomach.
“Clara?”
She straightened too quickly.
“I’m all right.”
“You’re not.”
“Just dizzy.”
Mason stepped closer.
“Look at me.”
She refused.
“Clara, I can’t keep watching you suffer without knowing why.”
Her expression twisted.
“I wish I could tell you.”
“Then tell me.”
“You might hate me.”
Mason felt something inside him break.
“After everything we’ve been through, do you really believe that?”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I’ve learned that people can be kind right up until the moment they decide you aren’t worth the trouble.”
“I’m not going to turn you out.”
“You can’t promise that.”
“Yes, I can.”
She shook her head.
“No. Not until you know.”
Before Mason could answer, she walked away.
That evening, he watched her move slowly around the kitchen, pale and exhausted.
He understood then that he could no longer wait indefinitely for her to trust him.
But he also understood that forcing a confession would only prove her fears justified.
He made a decision.
The following morning, he would ask Thomas to recommend a trustworthy female doctor or midwife willing to speak with Clara privately. He would make certain she understood that no one would come without her agreement.
He would also ride into town and find out exactly what Silas Rusk was planning.
For the first time since Evelyn’s death, he had something more frightening to lose than his own life.
He had hope.
And he intended to protect it.
But he never got the chance to make that trip.
Just before sunset, a tremendous crash came from the barn.
Mason dropped the saddle he was carrying and ran toward the sound.
Inside, a metal bucket lay overturned.
Water spread across the dusty floor.
Clara stood beside a wooden post, swaying.
“Clara!”
Her knees gave way.
Mason reached her just before she struck the ground.
He lowered her onto a pile of clean hay.
“Look at me. Tell me what’s happening.”
Her fingers clutched his shirt.
“I can’t keep hiding it.”
His heart pounded.
“Hiding what?”
Tears streamed down her face.
“You were kind to me when nobody else was.”