Addie and Grant rushed to the woman’s side, and Addie patted her cheek. She turned to Grant. “Should I see if there’s a place in the back where we can take her? I can’t imagine what’s wrong.” She stared at the woman who had collapsed as soon as she’d heard that Addie was Mr. Tolliver’s betrothed. Was that what caused it, or was she already ill?
Grant nodded. “I think so. We’ll make her as comfortable as we can, then I’ll see if I can find a doctor.”
Addie hurried into the back room right as the bell on the front door rang. Surely the customer could wait—or possibly they could send him for a doctor. She spied a narrow cot with a blanket spread over it, pushed against the back wall, then returned quickly to the area where she’d left Grant tending the woman. “Is she all right?”
A man stood inside the door, gaping, then he rushed forward and knelt by the woman’s side. “What happened here? Is Clara not well?”
Addie heard the concern and worry in his voice. Could this be her husband? “She fainted, but we’re not sure why. Should we move her into the back room? I saw a cot where she could rest while you get a doctor.”
He nodded. “I’ll take her and see to her. You wait out here.”
Addie glanced at Grant and raised her brows, surprised at the brusque reply. As soon as he disappeared, she dropped her voice and leaned close to Grant. “Should we try to find a doctor, or leave it to him? Do you suppose that’s her husband?”
Grant nodded. “I can’t imagine he would’ve taken her into the back room if he wasn’t. But let’s wait until he returns, since we don’t know where the doctor lives.”
A few minutes later, the man stepped from behind the counter, his face still grim. “She’s awake, and I gave her water. Apparently she only fainted, but I want her to rest. Did you say something to upset her?”
Addie straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “This is Grant Hollister, who was kind enough to ride two hours to bring me, and I’m Addie Patrick. I came at the request of Sam Tolliver. I simply told her that I’m his betrothed and had arrived in town much later than expected due to the storm, then she fainted. I have no idea why.”
The man took a step backward and leaned against the high wooden counter. “You’re Addie Patrick? But that’s not possible. You’re supposed to still be in Iowa. What are you doing here?”
Grant stepped forward, wanting to shake or throttle this man who must certainly be Sam Tolliver. What kind of game was he playing? Addie had gone as pale as milkweed, and she was shaking as though blown by a strong wind. “I think you need to introduce yourself, sir. And explain what’s going on here.”
The man grasped the edge of the counter. “I’m sorry, you’re right.” He swiped a hand across his damp forehead. “I’m Sam Tolliver.” He kept his gaze on Grant and avoided looking at Addie. “Could someone please explain why Miss Patrick is here?”
Addie moved closer to Grant. “Because you sent a letter asking me to come, saying that you would marry me when I arrived. I came, assuming you were a man of your word.”
His face couldn’t have gone much paler, but somehow it did. “But—I didn’t expect you’d get on the next train and come right out. I sent you another letter, a week or two later. Surely you received it before you left?”
She shook her head. “No, I did not. Why would you send another one after you’d asked me to come? And why wouldn’t you have expected me to come soon?”
Tolliver’s hand trembled against the wood edge of the counter. “It was winter. I assumed I’d get a letter in return, telling me you would come in the early spring. When I didn’t receive a reply, I waited two weeks and sent another missive.”
Grant growled low in his throat, not sure whether to throttle this man or rejoice over where this could be headed. “Saying what, exactly?”
Tolliver’s head swung from Grant to Addie and back to Grant. “That I’d met someone—a widow who’d moved here to be with her brother. I asked if Miss Patrick would release me from my promise to marry her, so that I might court Mrs. Sutherland.” His head tipped in the direction of the back room.
Addie bit her lip, suddenly understanding why the woman had fainted when hearing that Tolliver’s espoused bride had appeared. Her stomach knotted in fear. What was this man trying to tell her? She felt nothing for him—no spark of attraction—but what would happen to her if he decided not to marry her?
Grant had been kind in saying he’d like to have her at his ranch, after she’d blurted out that she’d like to work for him, but he didn’t need another employee. And he hadn’t declared himself or asked her to marry him, so she couldn’t assume the hug he’d given her was anything more than sympathy for her situation. “So you’re married to Mrs. Sutherland now, or betrothed—you no longer want me?”
He shook his head. “No, I am not married. But when I didn’t get a reply, I assumed you might be upset that I’d asked to break our engagement—and that last letter was sent a little over two weeks ago. It didn’t occur to me you’d already taken a train and hadn’t received my letters.” He wrung his hands.
Grant leveled a stare at the man. “So what are your intentions? Do you still desire to court Mrs. Sutherland, or do you intend to claim Miss Patrick as your wife, now that’s she’s arrived?”
Addie wasn’t sure what she hoped to hear. Grant must not want her for himself. If that was the case, she’d have to go through with her obligation in spite of her desire to be free.
Sam Tolliver closed his eyes for a second as though trying to steady himself, then opened them and stared at Addie. “I will keep my promise to you, Miss Patrick. It’s the right thing to do after asking for your hand.” He bowed his head. “I’ll explain to Mrs. Sutherland that I cannot move forward with a courtship, and offer her my sincerest apology. I can put you up in our town’s hotel until you’re ready to marry, if that would suit you. Please accept my sincerest regrets for the upset this has caused you.”
Addie wanted to weep. She looked at Grant’s rigid stance and hard eyes, then over at the regret clouding Mr. Tolliver’s face, and nodded. She would do the right thing—the only thing she could do in the circumstances—she’d marry Sam Tolliver. “Thank you, Mr. Tolliver. I will accept that offer and marry you, if it can be soon.”
He gave a brief nod. “I’ll make the arrangements for later this afternoon. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll explain to Mrs. Sutherland then send for the preacher.”