“Like I said before, I can’t.” When Jericho met her gaze, the apology in his eyes did nothing but regroup the pain and anger and send it rampaging back through her heart.

“Like I said before”—she fisted her hands on her hips—“I don’t wanna marry you. In fact, I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man alive.”

Jericho’s blue eyes swirled with frustration. But she ignored it and twisted at her bodice still hugging her shoulders where he’d draped it.

Flynn and Wyatt were both quiet for several heartbeats. Wyatt finally broke the silence. “You best think long and hard about what you’re saying, Jericho. If you ain’t willing to—can’t—do the right thing for you and Ivy, then it’s best for you to move on out and get a job someplace else where you won’t be near Ivy and tempted again to use her.”

Protest rose swiftly within Ivy. She might be mad at Jericho, but she didn’t want him getting into trouble on account of her.

Jericho released a tense breath. “You’re right. I’ll move out tonight.”

Wyatt nodded. “Reckon that’d be for the best—”

“Nope.” Flynn took a menacing step toward Jericho, his fingers resting on his revolver. “Reckon the best thing is if we hog-tie Jericho, track down Father Zieber, and have us a wedding right now.”

“Hush up, Flynn.” Ivy stepped in front of Jericho. No matter how he’d hurt her, she wasn’t letting her brother punch him again. “You really think I’m aimin’ to get hitched to a man who has to be forced to the altar at gunpoint?”

As Flynn took her in, he had the decency to look chagrinned. “We’re just trying to watch out for you, Ivy. That’s all.”

“You’ve watched out for me real well, Flynn.” She swallowed the sudden lump that clogged her throat. “But now I gotta figure out my future for myself.”

Flynn’s expression remained stormy. And Ivy guessed she wasn’t gonna be able to convince him of his need to cut her loose, at least not today.

“Now if you all will excuse me, I’ll get myself decent.” She cocked her head toward the door. Jericho was the first to aim for it. His footsteps echoed heavily, and he didn’t glance back at her as he opened it and walked out. Somehow that single act of negligence pierced her more than his words had.

Left alone with Flynn and Wyatt, she was suddenly overcome by the need to weep. Hot tears stung the backs of her eyes, and she was afraid that at any second she’d break down and bawl.

“Ivy,” Wyatt started.

She shook her head. “Please, I need a few minutes by myself.”