The Diamond of the Rockies [03] The Tender Vine Read Free Page B

around him, greeted her, then returned to Quillan’s side, tail wagging, as though he shouldn’t let him far from his sight. Carina felt a tingle of foreboding. Something in Quillan’s expression . . .
    He stopped at the foot of her bed, parted his buckskin coat, and tucked his hands into his canvas pants pockets. “Carina—”
    “Don’t say it.”
    He cocked his head. “Say what?”
    “You’re leaving.”
    His nose was chapped with cold, his lips grayish against his still unshaven face. “I’m only going—”
    She clapped her hands to her ears. “I knew it! One night you spend with me, and off you go. Why did I think anything would change? Why did I—”
    In three strides he had circled the bed. He grabbed her hands from her ears. “Will you listen to me? I’m only going to Leadville. I’ll be back tomorrow, weather permitting.”
    “Why? I thought you would stop freighting. Isn’t that what you said? You would do whatever it took to stay here with me?” She started to shake. It sharpened the pain in her back where the worst of the blows had threatened her kidneys.
    “It’s important. I’m taking Alex Makepeace with me.”
    That caught her short. What could he possibly be doing with Alex? He eyed her grimly. How long would Alex’s name bring a shadow between them? She sagged onto the pillows behind her.
    Quillan held her hands between his. His eyes took on the stormy intensity she knew so well, like the tingle in the air before lightning slices the sky. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
    She turned away. All she knew was his leaving kindled the pain of his desertion and the loss of their baby. “So go.” What should she care?
    “Carina”—he pressed her hands—“I have things to do.”
    “So have I.” She felt him stiffen.
    He reached over and turned her face to his. “No, you don’t. You be still and heal.”
    She didn’t answer. She felt too weary to do anything else, but she wouldn’t ease his worry by telling him so.
    “Give me your word, Carina.”
    She said nothing.
    He scowled. “You have plenty of Italian names for me. I wish I knew the female equivalent of some of them.”
    She almost smiled, he caught her so off guard. Then the hurt of his leaving chased away her mirth. “Why are you taking Alex?”
    “Business.” His voice chilled.
    “With the mine?”
    “Yes.”
    She raised up slightly. “Has something happened?”
    He pressed her back down. “Nothing to concern you.”
    “Oh!” She pushed his hand away. “As though I haven’t fed and encouraged and—”
    “I’m well aware of your efforts, Carina. But nothing is wrong with the mine.” His voice was level, reassuring.
    She was being childish and petulant. She knew it. But this man brought out the worst in her. The worst and the best. She softened. He was trying, was he not? “Can you travel on the snow?”
    “The pack should be hard enough. You’ve seen me use the chains, and I’ve spiked the wheelers’ hooves.”
    “You have to go?”
    He didn’t answer, though his eyes said he wouldn’t otherwise.
    She sighed. “Then I suppose . . .” She looked up at the knock on the door.
    Quillan crossed and opened the door to Alex Makepeace. Carina’s heart jumped. She hadn’t seen him since the night of the attack, and even then she’d been all but unconscious. Mae had mentioned that he asked after her, but he hadn’t once come to see for himself. Because Quillan had come home.
    Now with the two of them together, the air crackled. Blood burned her cheeks as she met Alex’s eyes and realized how far she’d let things go. Quillan must see it, too. She was suddenly aware that she was in her bed, covered with blankets and a woolen shawl over her shoulders, her hair loose over her shoulders. She could imagine the picture she presented.
    Alex took off his hat and held it to his chest. “How are you, Carina?”
    Her throat tightened sharply. “Better than I might be without your help.” How stiff she sounded.