Page 78 of Mail-Order Viscountess

Finally she said, “Can’t I wait here? Just a few hours. The doctor should return soon, and then I can rent a horse from the livery. I’ll ride back as soon as I can.”

Every instinct screamed at him to refuse. To throw her bodily into this wagon if necessary and get her away from this town before those men emerged from the saloon.

But the set of her jaw said she wouldn’t be moved easily. And wasting time arguing when his entire family was in danger⁠—

“Fine.” The word tasted bitter. “But wait at the cafe. Out of sight. Don’t go near that saloon. Don’t let those men see you.”

“I won’t.”

“And the moment—the very moment—the doctor returns, you get that medicine and ride for the ranch. Don’t wait.”

“I understand.”

He grabbed her shoulders, perhaps too hard, but he couldn’t help himself. “Kate, I mean it. These men are dangerous. If they see you—if they realize you’re connected to us⁠—”

“I’ll be careful.” She placed her hands over his, her touch steadying despite the fear flicking in her eyes. “Go. Your brothers need you.”

Everything in him rebelled against leaving her here. Alone. With hired killers drinking two doors down.

But his brothers were at the ranch, completely unaware of the threat riding toward them. Enoch and James, working in the barn or out feeding stock. Robert with Clara, probably reading to her from one of his books. Mrs. Wang in the kitchen. Rose and Mandie with the baby.

All of them defenseless because they didn’t know to be on guard.

He pulled Kate close, crushing her against his chest. He kept her there only a heartbeat, but he tried to pour everything he couldn’t say into it…

Stay safe. Come back to me. I can’t lose you too.

Then he released her and climbed up to the wagon seat.

“Thomas.” Her voice stopped him as he reached for the reins.

He looked down at her.

“Be careful.” The words came soft, but the weight behind them, the look in her eyes, pressed against his chest.

He nodded once. Then he released the brake and snapped the reins.

CHAPTER 25

The wagon thudded over another frozen rut, and Thomas shook the reins harder.

Faster. He had to go faster.

The horses strained against their harnesses, hooves churning the icy snow as they maneuvered curve after curve. The cold bit through his coat, but it didn’t matter. The weight of everything he’d just learned pressed on his chest like a millstone.

Within the day.

How long had it been since he’d left Walnut Springs? Ten minutes? Fifteen? The landscape blurred past. Each minute put the ranch in greater danger.

His mind raced through the possibilities. How many men did Reginald hire? Just those two from the saloon, or were there more? Would they attack openly or try stealth? Even now, were there men stationed around the house, planning to converge from multiple directions?

And what weapons did they have? Rifles, most likely. His brothers kept firearms in the house, but they weren’t expecting an attack. Weren’t prepared for an organized assault by men who’d been hired specifically to kill them.

All he could see were his brothers’ faces. Enoch’s steady gaze. James’s easy smile. Robert bent over a ledger, completely unaware that men were riding toward them with murder in their hearts.

Because of him.

The thought cut deeper than the wind.