Page 71 of All We Carry Home

I cared about her.

What was I to make of these feelings? What could I do when her life was here and mine would be three thousand miles away? If I failed to be elected, Kenneth had urged me to strive for a mayorship or governorship and then run in the next cycle. He also had felt very confident that my chances were more than certain. If I was elected, I’d serve for six years in Washington, DC. Anytime the Senate wasn’t in session, I’d need to be back in Philadelphia.

How could I ask her to move her life or pause it if we were to strive for something more?

I couldn’t. Her life and dreams were here in the soil, trees, and sky.

There simply wasn’t a future for us.

The sunrise splashed over her soft skin and painted her hair in warm shades of amber and pink.

She turned and seemed surprised by my study. “Something wrong?”

I opened my mouth to confess my future plans, but a distant crash and rumbling sliced through the silent morning. We turned toward the sound, my heart racing and my hand going to her arm protectively.

“Is that typical?”

She shook her head. “Not this far into the property.”

So much for the perfect moment to talk with her. So much for a peaceful sunrise for Eva to feel more grounded and connected to her home. There was no peace for her until the threat of the Merricks stealing her land by finances or force was neutralized.

I wouldn’t leave her alone until I knew she was truly safe, which meant I had little time to get to the bottom of this.

Eighteen

Eva

“Let’s get to the horses,” I whispered.

Warren helped me to my feet, and we climbed down the ladder and retrieved the horses. His grip was firm and reassuring.

My mind whirled at the immediate shift from this moment watching the sun crest the hills beyond, sensing Warren was about to share something important, to the suspicious noise that shattered it all.

I untied both horses and jumped into Acorn’s saddle. “Let’s go check it out.” Once Warren was also mounted, I swung my horse toward the noise. “Hold on tight. Autumn will just follow me.”

“Eva, you should go back to the house,” he said.

I kicked Acorn’s sides, and we bolted into the woods, Autumn’s hooves thundering behind us. Another loud bang rang out along with the rumbling of vehicles. Neither Eddie nor the other men had reason to be this far into the eastern edge of the property. This was the best view of the sunrise, sure. But it was also the border of the Merricks’ property.

I glanced behind and saw that Warren leaned forward against the horse’s neck and moved naturally with her fast gait. I wouldn’t go back and cower at the house, letting him fight my battles alone.

Branches whipped my face and I ducked, trusting Acorn to lead the way through the trees. When we burst out of the thicket, I drew her to a stop. Warren and Autumn stopped beside us, both horse and rider breathing fast.

Before us, several black vehicles sped away in a huff of dust, leaving behind skid marks and a gate in pieces.

My heart hammered and my mind raced at the possibilities. What had they been doing? I looked down the roadway, which led to the farm.

Eddie. The kids. Phantom.

“Let’s get back to the barns,” Warren said as if his thoughts mirrored mine.

We raced back, the horses drenched in sweat, my own face covered in dust and scratches from the branches.

“Eddie!” I shouted, jumping off the horse and leading her behind me. “Bennett!”

Eddie came bursting out from the barn with a shotgun in hand, wearing his pants and a dirty T-shirt, the suspenders loose over his waist. “Eva? Warren? What is it?”

EP ran out too, looking to Warren. Warren handed me Autumn and strode toward the house, pulling a sidearm from the back of his waist.