Steele’s yellow buggy was parked outside Hotel Windsor, and a sudden desperation welled up within Wyatt to put things right between him and Greta once and for all. “Before we do anything else, I reckon we oughta let the fellas know Astrid’s safe.”

“You’re right.” Greta tore her attention from McLaughlin’s Livery and the stagecoach parked in front, the driver still unloading bags and trunks for the few lingering passengers, including a stout woman wearing a fancy red gown.

Was Greta remembering the day she’d arrived and regretting her decision to travel to Fairplay? Or was she figuring out how to leave?

Wyatt urged his horse toward Hotel Windsor and was relieved when Greta did the same. As they dismounted and hitched their horses to the post, Wyatt noticed through the window that the dining room was crowded.

All the better. The more fellas hanging around when he delivered the news about his and Greta’s marriage and the false pregnancy, the less gossip would go around later.

“Ready?” He halted in front of the door.

She nodded.

After drawing in a deep breath and whispering a prayer for strength to do what he needed to, Wyatt swung open the door and stepped inside behind Greta.

The place grew silent and every eye turned upon them. Likely every man in the room had noticed them outside and now was waiting anxiously for an update on Astrid.

What should he share first? The news about Astrid or the news about him and Greta?

Steele was at his usual spot at a center table, attired in a suit and smoking a cigar. As the door closed behind them, Steele pushed back and rose, his face a mask of concern.

Wyatt swallowed his reservations. Steele was a good man. Maybe his cattle deal had been manipulative and pushy. But he’d meant well, had Greta’s best interests at heart. Now it was past time for Wyatt to be honest with him.

“Greta and me ain’t having a babe,” he blurted out. “And that’s ’cause we haven’t been living as man and wife. I’ve been staying in the barn.”

Next to him Greta stiffened. From the murmurs rippling around the crowded room, he guessed he’d surprised everyone. The empathy on Steele’s face faded as confusion rolled in.

Wyatt reckoned he should have shared the good news about Astrid first, but what was done was done. And he may as well finish saying his piece. “I know I broke our part of the bargain, Steele. But that’s okay. I’m putting an end to it today. I’ll figure out another way to get my cattle without using Greta as part of the deal.”