The Diamond of the Rockies [03] The Tender Vine by Kristen Heitzmann Read Free Book Online Page A

dining. Meeting. Trying to save what I could of my hopes and thinking all the while how I would get back at you for what you’d done.”
    Quillan dropped his gaze. She’d succeeded admirably. There was certainly hurt between them.
    “Now you show me these words, and they melt my heart.”
    His own turned to syrup as he raised his eyes to hers. “I want them to.”
    Again her tears came, and he felt stung. Was it so awful for her to think he loved her? He turned away. “I have to go to Fairplay, Carina.” She didn’t answer, and he knew the look he’d find on her face if he looked. “The telegraph wires are down over Mosquito Pass. I have to contact D.C. and know what he wants to do about the mine.”
    “Won’t they fix them?” Her voice trembled, but with sorrow or suppressed rage he couldn’t tell without looking.
    “It’ll take too long.” He glanced at Sam lying by the door, head raised. Did even the dog blame him for once again walking out? “We need to act quickly to avoid trouble, trouble for Alex Makepeace.” Now he did look at her.
    Her face was angry—angry and hurt and confused.
    “That’s why I went to see Horace Tabor first thing. If the consolidateds know Tabor’s involved in the venture, maybe they won’t try to force my hand. But if there’s a hang-up . . . The New Boundless is too valuable, Carina. Alex Makepeace won’t stand a chance if the big boys enter the fray.”
    “So sell him your part, and let D.C. worry about his own.” Her voice was bitter.
    Quillan answered softly. “You know I can’t.”
    She started to cry, then gripped her chest and turned her head away from him. But he knew it wasn’t physical pain. He dropped down beside the bed. “I won’t go. I don’t care about the mine. I don’t care who gets it. I won’t leave you.”
    She held herself, weeping. “It hurts so much!”
    He pulled her to his chest. “I’m sorry.”
    She tried to push away, but he held her tightly until she softened and sank into his embrace, now crying silently.
    He’d held her unconscious the night he learned of her attack, cradled her and cried out to God for help. He wouldn’t hurt her further. “I won’t go.”
    “You have to.”
    For a moment he wasn’t sure she’d actually said that. “I don’t have to and I won’t.”
    She pushed back from his chest, deep brown eyes full with tears.
    “You must do it. For Alex. It’s the right thing.”
    The stab of her words went right through his solar plexus and rendered him unable to answer until the feeling passed. For Alex . For Alex she could suffer Quillan’s departure. Stop it! The thoughts would drive him crazy! “Just tell me what you want, Carina.” He sure wouldn’t figure it out for himself.
    “I don’t know.” She sobbed. “Signore, help me, I don’t know.”
    “You’re overexcited.” He laid her gently back. “Rest now, or Doc Felden will have my neck.”
    “You’re leaving now?”
    “No.”
    “But you should?” Her eyes were obsidian pools.
    “No. I can stay as long as you need me to.” And hang the New Boundless, Alex Makepeace, and all the consolidated miners who would love to add his property to theirs.
    She sighed, pressing her fingers to her eyes and dropping her head deeper into the pillows. He stood over her, hating himself for wounding her yet again. Her hands dropped to her breast and folded there, but she didn’t open her eyes or speak. He went and sat at the table.
    He was a third of the way through St. Mark when she spoke. “In the morning, you can go.”
    He turned. Once again their eyes met, though this time the storm kept them apart. Quillan was fairly certain he would never undo the damage he’d done her, and even though she seemed to have spent her tears, she was far from pleased. Still, if she were willing . . .
    God, what do I do? A peaceful assurance filled him. The Lord would look after Carina just as Alan had said. He nodded without answering, and when her eyes closed again