Mary Burton - The Lightkeeper's Woman

“When it suited him,” he said tightly.

“He saw that you met the right people and then, after the Intrepid, he tried to protect you.”

Thunder cracked outside. Lightning flashed. For an instant she saw part of his face.

“Is that what he told you?”

“Yes.”

He shook his head. “Obadiah never let truth get in the way of his goals.”

She set the box back on the nightstand. “I was right to cut you off two years ago. The man I knew and loved died with the Intrepid.”

He moved toward the door, and then paused.

“And may he rest in peace.”

Unexpected tears choked her throat. Fury turned to guilt. “Henry was right. This trip was a fool’s errand.”

Caleb’s fingers tightened into a fist. “Henry Strathmore?”

“Yes. And you might as well hear it from me. He’s asked me to marry him.”

His shoulders stiffened. His gaze grew very, very cold. “And you accepted.”

A shiver traveled down her spine. “I haven’t given him an answer.”

“But you’ll say yes.”

She folded her arms over her chest. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“You’ll marry him.”

“Don’t pretend to know me or my thoughts.”

As if she hadn’t spoken, he said, “How long was I gone before Henry started sniffing around?”

She watched his jaw tighten, then release, tighten. “Henry has always been a gentleman. He’s always been a good friend to me.”

Challenge glimmered in his eyes. “What’d ol’ Henry say when you told him you were coming to see me?”

The fire seeped from her body. She was silent. As always, Caleb had a knack for spotting weakness.

Caleb laughed, but it held no humor. “I thought so. He doesn’t know you’re here.”

Ducking her head, she touched her fingertips to her temple. It had started to throb. “He doesn’t need to know. He’d only worry unduly.”

“Right.”

As he stared at her, she felt foolish and silly as if she’d just stepped from the schoolroom. Drawing behind years of training, she summoned her most imperious tone. “I don’t appreciate your attitude.”

Abruptly, he sighed, as if suddenly all the fight had fled from his body. “I really don’t care what you think about me or my attitude. As soon as the storm lets up, we leave for the mainland. And then we can put this miserable reunion behind us.”

The dismissal stung. But instead of drawing inward when she was hurting, she did what she always did. She fought.

Ready to stand toe-to-toe with him, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood—too quickly. Her head spun. She was going to black out. Her knees buckled. She started to fall.

Strong hands saved her. For a moment, her heart hammered wildly in her chest. She was so aware of his fingers banding around her arms. Of his scent, and of his deep, rapid breathing.

She wanted only to lean into him, to cry, and make the anger between them go away. And for an instant, she gave in to the yearning and leaned her head against his chest.

His heart beat steady and strong. In Caleb’s arms, she’d always felt happy and secure.

His body stiffened and for the briefest instant she imagined he leaned closer to her, as if inhaling the scent of her hair. His fingers tightened, and for just a moment, she felt as if the clock had been turned back and they were one again.

He must have felt the same way because he abruptly loosened his hold and drew his face away from her.

Alanna wanted to pull away and stand on her own two feet. Even as her head spun, she reminded herself that she needed distance. Distance from him would allow her mind to clear.

He savagely evoked the memories of the last two years. Those struggles had taught her that the security of Caleb’s arms was an illusion. His love had lasted no longer than a puff of smoke or a cloud on a breezy day.

She tried to take a step, but her legs, still too weak to support her weight, wouldn’t allow it. Sucking in a breath, she tried once again to pull away. Still, she couldn’t manage alone.

As if he understood her struggle, Caleb withdrew a fraction. But he didn’t let go of her completely. Like it or not, she needed him right now.

Resigned, she allowed him to guide her down to the bed. She eased back against the mattress, letting it absorb her weight. Lord, but she was tired.

Her eyes closed, she leaned back against the pillow. “My debt to you keeps mounting.”

Keeping his head low, Caleb picked up her bare feet and swung them up onto the bed. He covered her with thick blankets, and then retreated toward the door. “You don’t owe me anything. We’re finished, Alanna.” He left without another word.

A lanna woke in a panic.

Disoriented, she lurched forward in her bed, gasping for air as if she’d been drowning. Dim light trickled in from a small rain-soaked window, casting a murky glow on the simple room more suited for a monk than a lady. No carpet warmed the neatly swept pine floor and other than the bed and nightstand, the only furniture was a single chest and the rocker by the fire.

The room was a refuge but it didn’t encourage long stays.

And then she remembered. Caleb. He’d saved her from drowning.

Whatever vague hopes she’d had that all this was some horrible dream vanished. She was trapped on these isolated shores with Caleb.

She remembered Caleb had been with her last night. When her fever had been so high, she’d been glad to have him close. His touch had offered comfort, but it had also stirred too many buried feelings.

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