The Bridal Swap

by Karen Kirst

  The more she explored, the more enthralled she became. At Mary’s urging, Kate had set out after lunch Monday with her camera and supplies. She’d returned to their picnic spot and spent the better part of two hours setting up the equipment and taking various shots. Though hot from working in many layers of clothing, she was satisfied with her efforts. She couldn’t wait to develop the prints!

  Walking back to Sam and Mary’s, she soaked in her surroundings. Sunlight streamed through the trees overhead, dappling the firm, brown earth. The forest was both mysterious and peaceful and, above all, breathtaking in its beauty. A testament to God’s limitless imagination.

  The prospect of leaving and returning to city life saddened her.

  Spotting the stream she’d tumbled into the other day, Kate decided to stop and rest. Her equipment was heavy, the tripod awkward to carry. Her neck was damp with moisture, her hair heavy and straining against the pins.

  Setting everything at the base of a sugar maple, she lowered herself onto the same rock Josh had occupied. The sparkling water meandered past. Wouldn’t it feel wonderful to dip her sore feet in?

  The woods stood silent and empty. No one was around to see her unladylike behavior. And her mother’s voice seemed further away today.

  Unlacing her boots, she tugged them off and removed her stockings, wriggling her stiff toes. Pulling her skirts up to her knees, she plunged her feet in the water. The bracing cold stole her breath at first, but she quickly adjusted to the temperature.

  Leaning back, supporting her weight with her hands braced against the rock, she lifted her face to the sun. Thank You, Father, for the gift of Your creation.

  She wondered where Josh had disappeared to after lunch. Since establishing that she would remain in his cabin for the duration of her visit, his manner had been polite yet reserved, his expression carefully neutral.

  “Lily.”

  Startled out of her reverie, Kate bolted upright. When her gaze connected with that of Tyler Matthews standing on the opposite bank, her stomach lurched. Apprehension shot through her limbs. Her ears buzzed. What did he want with her?

  Her precarious position wasn’t lost on her. She was well and truly alone—far enough away from the cabins that no one would hear her if she screamed.

  “Don’t be afraid.” He held his hand out. “I would never hurt you. You know that, don’t you?”

  Tyler’s dark eyes pleaded with her. Judging by the expression of profound sorrow on his face, he must’ve loved Lily very much. A tiny part of her felt sorry for him. Still, he must be drunk to mistake her for his dead wife. And that meant he was unpredictable.

  “I—I’m not Lily, remember? My name is Kate. Kate Morgan.”

  Expression hardening, his large hands curled into fists. “My eyes work jus’ fine, Lily Matthews.” He slurred his words. “I’m weary of living without you. So you can either—” Closing his eyes tight, he pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “You can—”

  Her movements slow and calculated, Kate eased her feet from the water and stood up.

  Opening his eyes, he stumbled forward. “Come back home of your own free will or I’ll take you by force.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you!”

  Adrenaline pulsing through her system, she bolted. The sticks and rocks scraping her bare feet hardly registered.

  “Lily!” he gasped.

  She heard a splash. He was following her!

  “You can’t run forever!” His breathless voice was a mix of anger and desperation.

  Kate’s confining skirts tangled around her legs. Terror turning her blood to sludge, she yanked them up and ran faster. Her lungs burned. Her side ached under her ribs.

  Where was he? She couldn’t hear him behind her. Still, she expected to feel his beefy hands on her any second. Suddenly his yell rent the air and she stumbled, glancing over her shoulder in time to see him crash to the ground, his feet twisted in a thatch of overgrown ivy. Gasping, she pushed herself to the edge of her limits. She didn’t see Josh until she was almost upon him.

  “Kate?”

  “Josh!” she gasped.

  Seeing her distress, he ran to intercept her.

  Shaking now, she fell against him. His strong arms closed around her, sheltering her. She was safe. Thank You, God.

  “Is it Matthews?”

  Her cheek pressed against the hard wall of his chest, she fought to catch her breath. “He appeared out of nowhere.”

  He eased back to peer into her face. “Are you all right?”

  At her nod, he pulled his troubled gaze away to scan the forest behind her. “He’s gone now, but don’t worry. I’m going to have a talk with him. This has to stop.” He curled his arm around her shoulders. “Let’s get you back to the cabin.”

  She took a step and swift pain radiated across the soles of her feet. She sucked in a harsh breath.

  Josh stopped. “What is it?”

  She didn’t want to admit to being barefoot. “Nothing. I’m okay.”

  His eyes narrowed. “What hurts, Kate?”

  “I left my boots back at the stream. My feet are just a little scraped up.”

  “You ran all this way barefoot?” he demanded. Without warning, he scooped her up and strode in the direction of the cabin.

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Put your arms around my neck.”

  Hesitantly, she complied. Pressed against him as she was, it was impossible not to notice the strength of his chest and muscular arms. He didn’t seem bothered at all by her weight, supporting her with ease as his long strides ate up the distance.

  The honey-brown hair at his nape tickled her fingers, tempting her to explore the soft strands. Her gaze traveled along his temple and the sun-bronzed skin cloaking his cheekbones down to the mustache and goatee framing his firm mouth.

  Josh O’Malley was the epitome of strength, confidence and masculine beauty.

  And he was her sister’s ex-fiancé. She had to remember that.

  Thankfully no one was out and about when they arrived, and Josh headed straight for her cabin. Kicking the door closed with his foot, he deposited her gently on the sofa.

  “Don’t move.”

  He rifled through the cupboards and shelves in the kitchen and disappeared into the bedroom, returning with a bowl and a pitcher of water, and a towel draped over his wrist. When he knelt at the far end of the sofa and reached to brush aside her skirts, Kate panicked. Her mother’s cold recriminations marched through her mind. This was not proper in the least!

  “What are you doing?” she exclaimed.

  His expression was calm and controlled. “Your feet need attention.” His voice deepened. “I promise to be gentle.”

  “I can do it myself then.”

  Crossing his arms, he dared her with a look. “I’d like to see you try.”

  Kate knew with her restrictive clothing, especially the tight corset she’d barely managed to fasten that morning, it would be difficult to bend and doctor her feet. Josh knew it, too. He was too much of a gentleman to voice that fact out loud, however.

  When she broke eye contact, he pressed her shoulders back against the cushions. “Close your eyes and relax. Think of something pleasant. It’ll be over before you know it.”

  Mortified, certain her face would burst into flames, Kate squeezed her eyes tight and clenched her hands. Her body tensed at the first brush of his fingertips on her tender skin. Gradually though, she relaxed. True to his word, his touch was gentle and efficient as he cleaned off the dirt and applied a medicinal cream to the scrapes and scratches.

  “All done.”

  Kate opened her eyes. Face averted, he smoothed her skirts back down and sto
od to clear the coffee table. She eased her feet to the rug and sat up, watching as he washed his hands and folded the towel into a neat square. Bright red stained the back of his neck, indicating that he wasn’t as unaffected as he pretended.

  “Tell me about Tyler,” she said, partly to ease the sudden tension in the room and partly to satisfy her curiosity.

  Leaning a hip against the cabinet, he leveled an inscrutable look at her. “What do you want to know?”

  “You said he hasn’t always been the town drunk. What was he like before his wife died?”

  His lips turned down. “A good man. He and I grew up together, though he was two years behind me in school.” Stroking his goatee, he appeared lost in thought. “Tyler was never happier than the day he wed Lily. He was crazy about that girl.”

  Kate didn’t hold out much hope that a man would ever love her like that.

  “Do I resemble her that much?”

  His gaze shot to her face. “You share similar features and hair, although she was taller and her eyes spaced farther apart. You could certainly pass for sisters.”

  Kate digested that information. She looked remarkably like Tyler’s dead wife. The one he’d loved and tragically lost. How could she ever convince him she wasn’t Lily? When would his obsession with her end?

  “What do you think he wants with me?” her voice wobbled.

  Josh crossed the room and lowered his large frame to the cushions. Sliding one arm behind her along the sofa’s edge, he leaned in close and cupped her cheek. “I won’t let him hurt you, Kate. I’ll protect you.”

  Kate’s expressive eyes revealed her innocent trust in his ability to uphold that promise. He meant it. He would do everything in his power to keep her safe.

  Silence thick with expectation hung between them. Josh stroked her silken skin with his thumb. His gaze dropped to her parted lips, and he could no more deny his wish to kiss her than stop breathing.

  He lowered his mouth, brushing her lips with the slightest pressure. His heart lurched and took off like a runaway wagon. Easy. Don’t rush it.

  Sliding his hand beneath her thick tresses to curl around her nape, Josh settled his mouth on hers, testing and tasting her sweet offering. Her hand came between them to press against his chest, directly over his heart, not pushing him away yet not allowing him any closer. The heat of her fingers seeped through the cotton fabric of his shirt, branding him.

  Josh inhaled deeply her subtle, pleasing scent. She clung to him with timid devotion, and his heart swelled with a fierce protectiveness. Never before had he experienced such a sure, swift thrust of emotion. Not even Francesca had made him feel this way.

  Francesca! He broke off contact and, ignoring her whimper of protest, set her away from him. Surging to his feet, he began to pace, thrusting his hands through his hair. What had he done?

  He was recently jilted, a man on the rebound. Kissing Kate was the last thing he should be doing!

  “Josh?”

  “I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know what I was thinking.” He continued pacing. “I apologize.”

  “Right,” she said on a shaky breath, “I’m not Fran.”

  He jerked to a stop and shot her a dubious look. “You think I don’t know that?”

  “Hard to ignore the differences between us.” Hurt bloomed in her eyes. “You regret kissing me because you love her.”

  “I don’t—”

  There was a knock at the door. Talk about bad timing. With a long look at Kate, he went to open it. Nathan stood on the other side, her belongings in his hands.

  “My camera!”

  Moving toward the dining table, Nathan’s gaze darted between Kate and Josh. “I was out walking and spotted your things. Is everything all right?”

  He set her boots on the floor and placed her equipment on the tabletop.

  “Did you see Matthews out there?” Josh said.

  “No. Why?”

  “He was on our property. And he frightened Kate.”

  “Are you okay?” Nathan’s face clouded as he assessed her.

  “Fine. Thanks for bringing my things.” Her gaze connected with Josh’s. “I’d forgotten.”

  Because they’d been too wrapped up in each other and that kiss. A kiss he wouldn’t be repeating.

  “What are you planning to do?”

  “It’s time I paid Matthews a visit.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Nathan said.

  “Fine.” Josh paused in the doorway and turned to Kate. “Take it easy. Try to stay off your feet.”

  Eyes troubled, she nodded. “Be careful.”

  Pulling the door shut behind him, he followed Nathan down the steps. “You’re prepared, right?”

  He touched a hand to the gun in his holster. “Yep.”

  Josh hoped there wouldn’t be trouble, but a man had to be ready just in case. Entering the barn, they saddled and mounted their horses. The first half of the ride was made in silence. Josh’s thoughts weren’t on the coming confrontation, however. They were centered on Kate.

  He growled low in frustration. He’d hurt her feelings. The apology had made things worse.

  Nathan edged his mount closer. “You gonna tell me what’s going on between you two?”

  No use denying it. Try as he might, he’d never been able to hide anything from Nathan.

  He shifted in the saddle. “If I knew, I’d tell you.”

  “She feel the same way about you?” Humor laced his words.

  Josh whipped his gaze to Nathan’s face. “I was engaged to her sister up until a few days ago.”

  “I’m aware of that,” he drawled.

  “I have no business thinking about any woman,” he stated with force, as much for his own benefit as for his brother’s. “I should be heartbroken.”

  “And the fact that you’re not bothers you.”

  “This attraction to Kate doesn’t make sense.”

  “Matters of the heart rarely do.”

  Josh fell silent, forcing his attention to the task at hand. They were nearing Matthews’s spread. Emerging from the trees, he noticed details he missed that first trip out here. Then he’d been too distracted to notice the overgrown yard, the sagging barn doors, the chickens roaming free. Apparently Matthews had more important things to do than tend his property.

  “Do you think he’s home?” Nathan came to stand beside him.

  “Hard to tell.” His narrowed gaze scanned their surroundings. The place appeared to be deserted. “Keep your wits about you.”

  Adrenaline surged through him. “Matthews! It’s Josh O’Malley.” He pounded on the door, one hand resting on his weapon. “Open up!”

  Standing at the base of the steps, Nathan continued to eye the outbuildings.

  Josh waited another minute before trying again. When no response came, he moved to peer through the single window. It was coated with grime to the point of being opaque. He could only make out bulky shapes. Moving back to the door, he tested the latch. Unlocked.

  “Josh.” Nathan’s voice held a note of warning.

  “I’m just gonna see if he’s in there. Knowing him, he’s probably passed out on the bed.”

  He pushed the door open and the stench of old grease and stale food filled his nostrils.

  Quickly he took stock of the interior. Matthews was nowhere to be seen. If Charlotte were to see how her son had let this place go, she’d be fighting mad.

  “He’s not here. Go on home. I’m gonna wait for him.”

  “You said yourself he’s dangerous. Why don’t we come back tonight after supper?”

  He had work to do, but this was important. Matthews was threatening Kate, and it had to stop.

  “I�
��m staying. And I need you to go check on Kate for me.”

  Frowning, Nathan turned and mounted. “If you’re not back by eight o’clock, I’m coming to check on you.”

  Kate pushed the food around her plate in hopes that no one would notice her lack of appetite. Sam and Mary were doing most of the talking. Caleb was his usual reserved self, and Nathan hadn’t uttered a single word. His uneasiness only added to her disquiet.

  Josh’s empty chair mocked her. Had he confronted Tyler and met with trouble? What if he was hurt? The prospect of him lying injured somewhere, helpless and bleeding, set Kate’s nerves on edge.

  His kiss haunted her. He’d been both gentle and possessive, a curious combination that had simultaneously comforted and thrilled her. For a brief moment, she’d allowed herself to pretend she deserved a man like Josh.

  That she wasn’t a woman who’d been used, found wanting and cast aside.

  And then reality had reasserted itself. He’d pulled away because she wasn’t the one he wanted. She wasn’t Fran.

  What had he been about to say just when Nathan arrived? “I don’t.” “I don’t” what? Regret kissing Kate? Or still love Fran?

  But of course Josh loved Fran, Kate chided herself. Everyone loved Fran. And he’d been all set to marry her, hadn’t he?

  The clock on the sideboard chimed, startling her. Eight o’clock. On the other side of the window stood impenetrable darkness—the one thing about the mountains she didn’t like. She hadn’t imagined she’d miss the sometimes annoying sounds of the city as it settled into evening and the streetlamps warding off shadows.

  Across the table, Nathan stood so abruptly his chair nearly toppled over. Conversation ceased as all eyes turned to him.

  “Excuse me,” he said over his shoulder before depositing his dishes in the basin that served as a sink. “Ma, thanks for the meal. Sorry to rush off, but I’ve got things to take care of.”

  Grabbing his jacket off the hook near the back door, he tugged on his hat and slipped out into the night. The door clicked softly behind him.

  He was no doubt going to Tyler’s homestead to check on Josh. Clenching her hands beneath the table, it took every ounce of self-control not to rush outside and demand that he take her along.