She wanted to nod and assure her sister everything was fine. But the ache in her chest hurt too much and was growing more painful with each passing moment.

As the barn door swung open and Wyatt stepped inside, he searched the shadows for them, his brows slanted with worry. Astrid stood, drawing his attention. “Are those mean guys gone now, Wyatt? Is it safe for us to come out?”

“Yep. You’re safe.”

Greta rose more slowly, and as she stepped forward, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to walk, at least not without shaking.

Wyatt took his time replacing the rifle on the rack. When he turned, he removed his hat and stared at the ground in front of him, his head hanging and his shoulders sagging, leaving Greta no doubt of his deception.

Astrid took Chase from Greta’s arms and set him down. He sat and stared up at Greta with cute black eyes, as if waiting for her to say something.

What should she say? Could she even speak without crying?

“I’m sorry, Greta.”

“I don’t want to hear it. Don’t apologize to me again.”

“This ain’t what it appears—”

“It appears you married me in order to get cattle. A wife for cattle. Isn’t that right?”

Wyatt jammed his fingers through his hair and blew out a loud breath. “I asked Steele if he’d be willing to invest, to give me a loan, and he said he’d do it if I married you.”

Though Brawley had said the same thing, the words straight from Wyatt’s mouth pierced her. “And he expects you to have a family?”

Wyatt shifted and kept his gaze trained on his boots. “You heard him yourself. He’s fixin’ to make the town a place with other children and families. Figures if he does, then his wife and son will come live here with him.”

“So that’s why you don’t want me to leave and take Astrid to Denver?”

“Take me to Denver?” Astrid said from where she knelt stroking the puppy. “Why are you taking me there?”

“Nope,” Wyatt said. “That ain’t why—”

“Tell me the truth, Wyatt.” Greta stepped forward, the pain radiating into her limbs and somehow giving her the strength she needed to confront him. “If Steele hadn’t offered you the cattle loan, would you have married me? Simply to help me out?”

He twisted at the brim of his hat.

“Why are we leaving, Greta?” Astrid stood, her thin body rigid. “I don’t wanna go.”

Greta put her hand on the little girl’s head, trying to comfort her but unable to reassure her of anything, not when the world was crumbling beneath their feet.

“I don’t want you to go either,” Wyatt said.

“Answer my question, Wyatt. Would you have married me without Steele’s loan?”