Page 31 of The Heart’s Charge

He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. “No, Kate. I could have died because of me. Joining the Army was my decision. Heaven knows my parents tried their best to talk me out of it, but I wouldn’t be dissuaded. My pride was hurt, and my heart was hurt, and music no longer held the same appeal. It was something we had shared.” He swallowed, wanting to turn his head but forcing himself to hold her gaze. “I was a foolish kid, Kate. Too young to realize how much I actually cared about the girl whose music harmonized so perfectly with mine. Until I lost her.”

Her head wagged slightly back and forth. “I thought I was saving you from a forced marriage. The last thing I wanted to do was trap you into something you didn’t want. I cared about you too much to force such an injustice upon you.” Her lashes lowered slightly. “I couldn’t have borne it if you came to resent me, and I couldn’t imagine that not happening. Not when I was the one responsible for compromising us.”

Mark’s pulse throbbed at the revelation that she cared for him. Or at least had, once upon a time.

“You know,” he said with a playful shrug, trying to lighten the mood so he wouldn’t feel quite so vulnerable as he bared his heart, “there was a part of me that was glad Mr. Owen found us.”

Her dubious look made him grin.

“Sure, I was embarrassed and frustrated the old fellow had jumped to such improper conclusions, but his outrage created an opportunity. An excuse to propose. I’d already been picturing the two of us together. I might not have expected the timetable to be so short, but when I considered the future, you were the one I envisioned by my side. So when you turned me down, it didn’t feel like you were freeing me from an unfair trap. It felt like you were rejecting me.”

Mark pulled his hat from his head and tapped the brim against his knee. “That’s why I joined the Army. I sought a distraction. A way of life that would demand all of my attention so I could forget about the young woman who’d chosen to live with a damaged reputation instead of living with me.”

“Oh, Mark.” She leaned close, her face mere inches from his. “It wasn’t like that at all. I swear.”

He believed her. How could he not, with those earnest blue eyes imploring him? And that mouth. So close. So ripe for the kiss he’d been waiting a decade to taste. He leaned in. Took aim. Approached the target.

“Miss Kafrin! Look!”

Mark jerked backward as Ted thrust a dirt-colored creature at Kate’s face. The ugly critter resembled a squashed lizard covered in spiky armor.

“I caught a horny toad!” the boy crowed as if he’d just captured a fire-breathing dragon.

Kate chuckled. “I see that.” Her gaze darted to Mark’s, a remnant of warmth still visible beneath the humor.

“Wanna pet him?” Ted shoved the horned lizard closer.

Her answer was clear when she lurched backward and pulled her hands behind her. But Mark knew her tender heart would not be able to bear Ted’s disappointment. Time for a diversion tactic.

He waved his hat toward Ted to grab his attention, then set it back on his head, out of the way. “Let me see him, partner.”

Ted swiveled, his shrinking smile quickly gaining new life and returning to its full width. “Abner said he’s a big ’un.”

“He sure is.” Matt held out his palm and mentally braced himself for the scaliness about to descend. He’d never been particularly fond of reptilian creatures, but if he could play Kate’s hero and spare a kid’s feelings in the process, it’d be worth it.

Ted placed the horned lizard in Mark’s palm. “Careful. He’s fast.”

Debatable. It didn’t move a muscle when Ted released his hold. Just sat there blinking. Mark cupped his fingers around its body anyway, not wanting to be responsible for losing Ted’s prize. The lizard’s belly contracted as it breathed, the motion growing rapid and shallow.

“Hey there, little fella.” Mark brought his other hand around and patted the critter’s head.

The lizard’s body puffed. Then, without warning, blood shot out of the creature’s eye.

Kate squealed. Mark blocked the stream with his left hand and jerked the lizard away from her. Thankfully, he kept the presence of mind not to fling the thing through the air.

“Whoa!” The wonder in Ted’s voice almost made the mess worth it. “I gotta show Abner!” He snatched the bloody lizard from Mark’s hand and ran off for the sandpile.

Mark grimaced at the red staining his hand and the handful of drops marring his sleeve cuff. “Might want to release him after you show him off,” he called after the boy. “The poor critter’s probably scared to death.”

Most animals had defense mechanisms, but this was the first time he’d ever fallen victim to squirting blood. He supposed it was better than a skunk. At least this he could wipe off without smelling like old garbage for the rest of the week.

Kate touched his shoulder as he shifted to retrieve his handkerchief from his trouser pocket. “Are you all right?”

He quirked a grin. “Sure. Just a little mess. No harm done.” Though he might need to change his shirt before he interviewed the teacher this afternoon.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’ll make a great story.” He shook his handkerchief open and wiped the streak of blood off his hand and wrist. “And there’s the proof.” He nodded toward the sandpile, where all the kids huddled around Ted while he gave an animated retelling. “They’re captivated.”