As hard as it was to imagine leaving Wyatt, she had to persist in her plan to get Astrid more help. She guessed Wyatt had every intention of accompanying them to Denver. But he belonged here working his land, buying more steers, and building the addition onto the cabin for his family. While she wanted to promise him she’d come back from Denver, she couldn’t guarantee that either, not without knowing how Astrid would fare.

Pain had wedged into each part of her heart during the ride into town. She’d decided to make the arrangements for the ride back to Denver before she could change her mind—or Wyatt convinced her otherwise.

But now . . .

She glanced from Mr. Steele back to Phineas, who lifted his curious gaze to her once more, then rapidly dropped it and shifted his feet.

She couldn’t do as Mr. Steele suggested and marry Phineas in place of Wyatt, could she? But she certainly couldn’t just walk away, not after Mr. Steele’s reminder of how much Phineas had paid for Astrid and her to travel to Fairplay.

With all eyes suddenly focused upon her, her face heated. “I’d like the chance to talk with Mr. Hallock privately. If that’s agreeable to him and everyone else.”

Wyatt’s features hardened. “Nope, it ain’t agreeable to me, but I’m guessing I don’t have much say in the matter.”

As conversations erupted around them, she squeezed Wyatt’s arm and leaned in. “Please try to understand, Wyatt.”

“Understand what?” His voice was low and his eyes filled with hurt.

“I won’t let Astrid and me be the reason you lose your ranch.”

“Without cattle, I’m bound to lose it eventually anyway.”

“No.” She shook her head, refusing to believe he’d have to give up everything he’d worked so hard for. He couldn’t. She wouldn’t let him.

Determination surged and chased away the embarrassment that had been strangling her. “Mr. Steele, you were wrong.” Her voice drowned out the commotion in the room.

At her accusation, Mr. Steele’s conversation with a man next to him stalled. He shifted his attention to her, his mouth half open and his brows lifted.

“You were wrong,” she said again, as silence descended. Her nerves quivered, making her legs weak, but now that she had everyone’s attention, she had to speak. “The day I arrived in Fairplay destitute and homeless, I realize you were trying to help a desperate lady out of a desperate situation. And I do appreciate your concern. You were kind to both Astrid and me.”

At the mention of Astrid’s name, more brows rose.

“Astrid is just fine,” she assured them. “We found her this morning at a hot spring. She is unharmed and as well as can be.”

Some of the men nodded, their expressions relieved.