“I’m sure you didn’t.” She couldn’t rouse the enthusiasm he deserved. Back in August when she’d arrived, she would have been excited to meet him. Of course, she would have been nervous too, but ultimately she would have made the best of their marriage of convenience.

She had to muster the same resolve now. But how could she, not when she cared so deeply for Wyatt? When he was all she could think about? When he was the only man she wanted?

“Then you won’t mind living in the house without all the furniture and decorations?”

Could she really live with Phineas? Marry him? Be his wife? She swallowed hard, gripping her hands tightly together in her lap. Maybe once a loveless marriage would have been enough. But it wasn’t anymore. Not after all that she’d experienced with Wyatt.

She didn’t know how she could go through with marrying Phineas, but she couldn’t tell him that. At least not yet. Not until she had a chance to figure out what to do. For now, it was best if she didn’t hurt his feelings or cause him undue stress. “No, I’m sure we’ll be fine without furniture and decorations.”

His shoulders slumped, almost as if he’d hoped she’d say otherwise.

“And you won’t mind—not getting into the house?” His voice squeaked again as the words tumbled out haltingly. “I need to give the renters plenty of time to find other arrangements.”

Maybe that’s what she needed. Plenty of time. She could try to get him to postpone marriage plans since she was taking Astrid to Denver for further treatment. That would give her more time to figure out how to repay him for the cost he’d invested in her travel to Fairplay.

“Mr. Hallock, about Astrid . . . She hasn’t been getting better. Her condition, in fact, has worsened. As a result, I’ve decided to take her to the hospital in Denver. I’ve heard good things about what the physicians there are doing for consumption patients, and I’m hoping they can help Astrid.”

He didn’t reply.

She chanced a sideways glance to find that he was staring at the passengers near the livery, his face a mask of sadness and despair. She waited for him to say something, perhaps protest her desire to leave so soon after his arrival. But he remained silent, which made her heart sink farther.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you,” she said quietly. “I know that’s not what you were expecting after arriving home.”

He shifted his attention to her, his brow creasing. “Not what I was expecting?”

“Yes, I’m hoping to leave on the stagecoach tomorrow.”

He sat up, his girth straining against his vest. “I don’t understand. Why are you leaving?”

Hadn’t he been listening to what she’d just said? “I’d like to take Astrid to Denver.”