As he arrived at the front door of the modest two-story clapboard home, Wyatt stopped short. What if Greta didn’t love him enough to fight for their marriage through the obstacles and hardships? He hadn’t been wrong in sensing her attraction or that she cared about him. But did she care enough? After all, she hadn’t said anything about loving him.

Drawing in a steadying breath, he opened the door and stalked into the hallway. At the sound of voices coming from Steele’s office located in the room across from the parlor, Wyatt crossed to the doorway.

Surrounded by a haze of cigar smoke, Steele sat at his desk with his assistant next to him. The young man was bent over and writing something on an official-looking document. And Greta and Hallock stood on the opposite side, watching him while Steele instructed his assistant.

“Might as well tear that thing up,” Wyatt said.

Everyone swiveled in his direction, including the assistant, who straightened, ink dripping from his pen and leaving splatters across the sheet.

“I’m staying married to Greta. And that’s all there is to it.” He crossed his arms and spread his feet, daring anyone to defy him.

Greta stood stiffly, her shoulders straight, her chin high. And though her eyes flashed to him for an instant, she focused back on the sheet on Steele’s desk. The flash was long enough, however, for him to see her inner turmoil. He still had time to sway her.

If only he could get Hallock to understand and accept his marriage to Greta, then Wyatt might have a fighting chance of keeping her. “I’m mighty sorry things had to turn out this way, Hallock. But what’s done is done. I love Greta. She’s my wife. And I ain’t giving her up.”

Hallock released a long exhale, and his shoulders seemed to relax.

At the unexpected reaction, Wyatt paused for a second but then pushed on. “I’m fixin’ to reimburse you for everything you paid for Greta and Astrid to come west. I might not be able to right away, but you know I’m a man of my word and I’ll do it.”

“Indeed you are.” The worried lines in Hallock’s forehead smoothed away. “But it isn’t necessary.”

“Sure as a gun is.”

“No, Wyatt. I’m the one who started this whole process of sending away for Miss Nilsson. It’s my responsibility to cover the costs.”

“Listen, Hallock, I don’t care what you say. I ain’t signing an annulment.”

Thankfully, Steele was staying out of the conversation. He leaned back in his chair and took a puff on his cigar, his gaze bouncing back and forth between them.