The Engagement Charade. Karen Kirst

takes everything I have not to relive that nightmare day in and day out. I can’t live with the reminder of what I’ve lost. I can’t.”

      Alexander’s stoic mask slipped, and Ellie glimpsed the depth of his brokenness. The word fire penetrated her mind, and she connected it with the scars on his hands. Alexander must’ve been at the scene. He would’ve done everything in his power to save them.

      “I had no idea you’d even been married,” she murmured, her heart aching. “Or had a child.”

      She knew what it meant to lose a precious little one. She hadn’t gotten a chance to hold her babies in her arms, but that didn’t make her mourning any less powerful. Her heart broke for Alexander. This was the answer to her long-held question—he eschewed the world in order to avoid further pain. While she didn’t agree with his method of coping, she understood what drove him.

      “Now you do.” He heaved a sigh. “I truly am sorry, Ellie. You’ve been an asset to the Plum.” The finality in his voice troubled her. He started to turn away.

      “Please listen!” She wasn’t too proud to beg. “I can’t go back to that cove. Ralph figured out my secret and advised me to leave. He’s right. Gladys and Nadine will see this baby as their last link to Nolan. You’ve witnessed their dislike. I fear they’ll try to turn my own child against me.”

      “Surely there are other jobs you could do. Perhaps at the mercantile.”

      “I didn’t see any advertisements when I was there searching for lodging. Not anything suitable, anyway. Besides, who’s going to cook for you? Do you really want to host another town-wide cooking contest? Start fresh with someone new?” She leaned in. “I’ve mostly left you alone.”

      He arched a brow in challenge.

      “I said mostly,” she defended. “What if the next person you hire is more interfering than me?”

      His troubled gaze shifted to the forested mountain peaks and a pair of vultures riding the air current in a circular pattern over unseen remains.

      “I promise I’ll stay out of your way,” she pressed. “No more daily intrusions.”

      “I don’t know, Ellie...”

      “At least let me work until the baby’s born.” By that time, he’d see that having her around wasn’t as difficult as he imagined. They’d be under the same roof, but they’d rarely see each other.