A Reckless Promise by Kasey Michaels Page A

not discovered my fib, and come chasing up the stairs after me?”
    â€œI did not chase. I walked, slowly and deliberately. There will be no more moonlight flits, and there will be answers. The answers can wait—I’m a patient man. But it was necessary to ease the child’s fears, which marriage—and a puppy—have seemed to do.”
    â€œYou could have stopped at the puppy,” Sadie grumbled halfheartedly, knowing she’d no one but herself to blame for finding herself about to be bracketed to a man who would not stop until he had every last truth from her—and probably have her tumbling into love with him along the way. “As for the rest of it, if we hadn’t started out before dawn, we would not have arrived at the posting inn in time for the public coach. All you had to do was ask me.”
    â€œYes, and there was no one in the village who would have agreed to drive the late doctor’s poor sister and orphaned daughter to the posting inn.”
    He had her there. “I...I didn’t want to bother anyone.”
    He dropped to his haunches in front of her, his face close to hers.
    â€œYou’re a terrible liar, Sadie Grace, most especially when you’ve had no time to prepare. You didn’t want anyone to be able to say they knew the direction you were about to travel. Now hear this. I’ve asked you for the truth for the last time, and you’ve lied to me for the last time. When you’re ready, I’ll listen, but in the meantime, no more lies. I will protect you both from whatever or whomever it is that sent you running into the night, but sooner or later you’ll have to trust me. Do we understand each other?”
    Sadie bit her bottom lip, and nodded. There was no sense in pretending he was mistaken. “John... No, I can’t do it, it’s too soon. First I must come to grips with it all, as you say you have with your injury. Except for those...moments. But I will thank you for what you’re doing for Marley. And for me. I had no expectations beyond acting as companion to her until I could be assured she no longer needed me.”
    â€œYou’d have given up any chance of a life of your own for her. I admire that, Sadie Grace. But that’s not what John asked you to do, is it? You were to bring her to me. What did he suppose was to happen to you after she was delivered into my custody?”
    His words hurt. She’d asked that same question of her dead brother at night, when she couldn’t sleep. How could you leave me this way?
    She blinked at the tears stinging at her eyes. “I don’t know. He... He was very sick. All he could think about was Marley, what would happen to her after he died. I can understand that. I’ve tried so hard to understand...”
    She felt Darby’s fingers beneath her chin as he gently raised her head so that they were eye-to-eye.
    â€œDon’t cry, Sadie Grace,” he said quietly. “We were off to a rocky start, you’ll agree, but we’re working this out, aren’t we, step by cautious step? We’re doing it together, no matter our initial reasons. For John. For Marley. And for you. You have my word.”
    She could barely breathe. He was so entirely sincere.
    â€œYour brother saved my life, even when I’d have rathered he not bother. Whatever he may have done since then is nothing compared to that, except for the fact that he’s made you cry, and kept you frightened for some reason you’ll tell me when you’re ready. I hope that’s soon, because a new world is opening for you, Sadie, and I want you to enjoy it. Now, do you feel better?”
    She nodded, unable to speak. He was so close, and somehow she wanted him closer. She wanted to bury her head against his broad shoulder and weep like a baby, tell him everything, cling to him, as somehow he had become her one safe haven in the storm that had raged inside her since waking that