“Mr. Hallock,” she said as graciously as she could, finding that she was almost peering down at him since he was a good two inches shorter than her five-feet-five inches. While he’d mentioned that he wasn’t a tall man, she hadn’t expected to stand above him.

“I do apologize for my delay,” he said with a squeak.

What could she say, especially after all that had transpired over the past three months since her arrival in Fairplay?

With the others pushing in around them and growing louder, she glanced at the door. “Perhaps we could step outside to talk?”

“Indeed, indeed.” He bolted to the door and held it open for her. As she exited, her heart dropped. Wyatt had already unloaded the beef from her horse and was gone, with no sign of him or his steed anywhere along Main Street.

For a moment, panic seized her. Then she gave herself a mental shake. Surely, she’d see him at least one more time when she returned to the homestead to gather Astrid and their belongings. Even so, her limbs were weak as she lowered herself onto the bench in front of the hotel.

“Miss Nilsson, thank you for speaking with me.” Phineas sat beside her, perching gingerly on the edge as though he might jump and flee at the slightest cause. “I regret the inconveniences and hardships my delay has cost you.”

He went on to explain that he’d gotten a much later start leaving San Francisco than he anticipated. When the stagecoach had reached Salt Lake City, he’d been delayed indefinitely due to trouble with Indians on the trail. Apparently, he’d written to her regarding the setback, but the letter had gone to her home in Illinois, and she never received it because she’d already departed for the West.

Whatever the case, Phineas hadn’t died. And the murdered and mutilated body discovered in the mountain pass that spring obviously belonged to some other unfortunate soul.

“The delivery of everything I purchased will be postponed until next spring.” He shook his head, his fleshy forehead wrinkled in consternation.

“Please don’t trouble yourself on my account.” She couldn’t keep herself from searching every horse and rider that rode past. Hopefully, Wyatt was only selling the beef and hadn’t left without her. No matter his frustration, he was a man of too much principle to make her fend for herself.

Phineas’s attention kept flitting to the livery and several passengers still waiting by their luggage. He had to be relieved to be back in Fairplay.

He toyed with his buttons again. “I just never expected the additional delay out of Salt Lake City.”