“I doubt it’s—”
He held up a hand. “Please, Clara. I can’t watch over you all day.”
She bristled. “You certainly needn’t watch over me. I’m perfectly capable of doing that myself.”
“That isn’t what I meant.” Roman closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. He was losing horses—and likely customers—left and right. There were horse thieves on the loose. And now he’d gone and angered the woman with whom he’d hoped to spend his life.
He exhaled as he opened his eyes. “All I meant is that I can’t worry for your safety while Jeremiah and I are occupied elsewhere. And if anything happened to you, I . . . ” He’d never forgive himself.
Clara pressed her lips together, seemingly considering what he’d said. He extended a hand. Finally, she took it and let him lead her back to the boardinghouse.
They didn’t speak as they walked, and he feared she was still angry with him. Well, if she was, then so be it. He’d rather her be mad than hurt, or worse, dead.
When they reached the door to the boardinghouse, she extended her hand for the doorknob, but he held her back. Clara turned, frowning just slightly. Roman didn’t know how anyone could look so beautiful while being angry, and yet Clara did. Her skin was luminous in the afternoon light, and her eyes seemed a bright green. He wanted to press his lips to her turned-down ones, make them smile again. Yet he had the distinct feeling she’d slap him if he did such a thing right now.
“You can’t be angry with me for wanting to protect you,” he finally said.
The frown remained in place, but her face softened some. “I suppose,” she said after a moment.
She still seemed hesitant, but this wasn’t something he would change his mind about. So instead, he placed his hands on her cheeks. Her skin went pink beneath his touch and her eyes widened.
“Roman, you can’t— Not here—”
He smiled, for the first time that entire day, and dropped a kiss on her forehead before letting her go. She was still flushed when he opened the door for her and ushered her inside.
Something about Clara made everything seem a little brighter. But as he stepped away from the boardinghouse and faced the town, the worry returned. And this time, it wasn’t just about the fate of his business or how little money he had left.
How could he provide for Clara if it all fell apart?
Doubts pushed in from all sides, and Roman clenched his fists, forcing the thoughts away. He and Jeremiah would take turns keeping watch at night. As soon as he had enough money in his pockets again, he’d see about hiring a man or two to help out.
There would be no more stolen horses. Not while he had breath left in his body.
Chapter Sixteen
SIX DAYS HAD PASSED, and all Clara had seen of Roman was a brief moment here and there, when he’d either stop by the boardinghouse or, on one occasion, when she prevailed upon Miss Darby for the supper leftovers and brought them wrapped up to the livery. She missed helping at the stables, missed meeting the people who’d come to get a horse or pay their boarding fees, but most of all, she missed Roman.
