by Kirst, Karen
“What’s got you so distracted you didn’t hear me coming?”
At the deep rumble of Nathan’s voice near her ear, she yelped. Spun around, a hand to her chest. “You frightened me!”
“Sorry.” He kicked up a shoulder, one brow quirked. “What were you thinking about?”
“Philip Dennison stopped by to invite me to Sunday lunch.”
The good humor in his eyes evaporated like mist. His expression closed, shutting her out. “Is that so? I guess Nicole worked her magic, huh?”
She jammed her hands on her hips, disguising her hurt with anger. “Why is it so difficult for you to believe a man might be interested in me?”
His mask slipped, exposing sincere contrition. “I didn’t mean it that way.” Burying his fingers in his choppy hair, he took out his frustration on a stick, kicking it away with his boot. “I wish we could go back to how things used to be. Before this crazy husband-catching scheme.”
“I didn’t ask for any of this, you know,” she snapped. “Perhaps you should take up your objections with Cordelia.”
The pounding hooves of an approaching rider deepened his scowl. “What is he doing here?”
Pivoting, Sophie recognized the horse first. “Why is Landon paying me a visit?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.”
Nathan positioned himself in front of her as if to intercept her visitor. What was with him? There weren’t too many people in this town he couldn’t tolerate, so what had Landon done to get himself on that short list?
Moving to stand beside him, she nudged his shoulder. His sharp-edged gaze slid to her.
“You don’t really think I need protection from him, do you?”
“He’s not for you, Soph,” he said cryptically.
“Why—” But she was interrupted by Landon’s cheerful greeting as his boots hit the ground.
“Sweet Sophie. How are you this fine day?” His grin was known to have a devastating effect on the general female population of Gatlinburg. And, she had to admit, the man was a looker. Blond hair, blue eyes, golden skin. Tall and strong as an ox. Charm oozing from his pores.
His gaze, when it flicked to Nathan, didn’t alter one way or another. If anything, his grin grew wider. “O’Malley.”
“What do you want, Greene?”
Landon’s brows lifted. “I came to speak with Sophie, if that’s all right with you,” he drawled.
Sophie studied the two men. Nathan’s dislike radiated off him in waves. Landon, on the other hand, attempted to conceal his. It was there beneath the surface, though.
“What can I do for you?” Reaching for the end of her braid out of habit, her fingers instead met the loose strands of her ponytail.
He tipped the brim of his caramel-colored hat up. “I came to ask if you’d accompany me to the singing this Saturday night.”
Nathan’s sharp inhale told her exactly what he thought of the invitation. He didn’t want her to accept. Except, Landon was on her list. He was an upstanding member of the town, came from a good family who, unlike the Dennisons, treated her with respect. He wasn’t known to indulge in alcohol. He was a faithful church attender. And even if he did possess a flirtatious nature, she couldn’t afford to say no.
“I’d like that.”
His eyes lit up. With triumph? Rubbing his hands together, he nodded. “That’s great.”
“She can’t go with you.”
Sophie’s jaw dropped. Anger licked along her veins. Swiping her ponytail behind her shoulder, she demanded, “Nathan, what—”
“Have you forgotten you agreed to go with me?” he challenged, his expression warning her to play along.
Of all the high-handed— “Yes, I believe I have. I’m racking my brain, and I simply can’t remember you asking me.”
Landon spoke up, intruding on their silent battle of wills. “That’s a shame. I’d hoped to walk in with you on my arm and make all the other guys jealous.”
That diverted her attention. She stared at him, absolutely certain no man had ever entertained a similar notion about her before.
“Since you’ve disappointed my hopes,” he went on in light recrimination, “will you agree to go on a horseback ride with me Sunday afternoon?”
“Yes,” she rushed to say before Nathan claimed to have plans with her then, too. “I’m having lunch with the Dennisons, but I’m sure that won’t take long. How about we say two o’clock?”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
An inexplicable gleam in the blue depths niggled at her, but she attributed it to her imagination. Landon Greene may be a bit of a rogue, but he was in no way dangerous.
When he’d left, she rounded on Nathan. “How dare you interfere!” She threw up her hands. “Have you forgotten that if I don’t find a husband, my aunt is going to take Will away from me?” She’d already lost her beloved granddad. She couldn’t lose her brother, too. Fear bubbling over, she shoved him, surprise forcing him back a step. “I don’t have time for games.”
Seizing her hands, he held them flush against his chest, ducking his head down so they were on eye level. Secrets swirled in the silver depths. “This isn’t a game. You need to steer clear of him.”
Being this close to him, his touch warm and sure, transported Sophie back to the party and the earth-shaking kiss. A kiss he wouldn’t be repeating. She steeled herself against the yearnings coursing through her.
“Again the dire warning without explanation? I’m just supposed to trust you, is that it?”
His gaze slipped to her mouth. Snapped back up. “Yes.”
“That’s funny, because I seriously doubt you’d take my word about anything. You’d demand to know my reasons.”
A muscle jerked in his rigid jaw. “You’re right, I would. But in this situation, I can’t go into details.”
“Can’t? Or won’t?”
He released her then, and she fought a sense of abandonment.
Putting space between them, he rested his hands on lean hips, squinting in the bright sunlight. “You don’t have to go with me if you don’t want to. Just don’t go with him. And please, cancel that ride.”
“I’m not going with you on principle.” Oh, how it hurt to refuse such an opportunity. Better a little hurt now than a heaping helping later.
“Who will you go with then?”
“Who says I have to have an escort? Men will be more apt to approach me if I’m alone, anyway.”
“Right.” Frowning, he tugged his hat down, casting his features in shadow. “I’ve got to go.”
Not knowing what to say, Sophie watched him leave. It wasn’t until he’d disappeared into the forest that she realized she didn’t know why he’d come in the first place.
* * *
Ascending the stairs of the grand Victorian home Saturday evening, Sophie felt her heart quiver like a frightened rabbit’s. She would rather be anywhere else but here, alone and dressed to impress, where everyone would watch and know her purpose. Thanks to her aunt’s slip, the news of her quest would be buzzing around town.
In the entryway, she peeked in the oval mirror above the slim mahogany table and smoothed an errant strand to the side. Still wasn’t easy to achieve this hairstyle, but she was getting the hang of it.
Guests milled around in the green-and-blue parlor on her left. The program was set to begin in an hour. Sixty minutes to scope out the place, and perhaps engage an eligible gentleman in conversation. She stuck out her tongue at her reflection. Had she really been reduced to this? A desperate female on the prowl?
Navigating the wallpapered hallways to the spacious dining room, she offered a harried-looking Madge Calhoun her assistance.
The plump, gray-headed lady waved her off. “No, child. Help yourself to a glass of ginger water and a cak
e. Enjoy yourself.”
Choosing a pink-tinted glass, she wandered over to the wall of windows and soaked in the beauty of the flower gardens.
“Sweet Sophie.” Landon appeared out of nowhere, his footsteps masked by the plush rugs. “You are especially lovely tonight.” His blue eyes, warm with appreciation, scanned her outfit.
Sipping the tangy liquid, she returned his smile. “Thank you. So are you.” She touched the yellow daisy tucked in his button hole. “That’s a nice look.”
Waggling his eyebrows, he leaned forward conspiratorially. “Makes me appear more sensitive in the ladies’ eyes. Romantic.”
“Ah.” Well, at least he was honest.
Glancing over his shoulder, he said, “Where is your escort?”
Her smile faltered. “Nathan and I— That is, I told him I would rather come alone.”
A peculiar gleam lit his eyes. “That’s good news.” Cocking his head, he held his arm aloft. “Would you care to accompany me to the gardens?”
It wasn’t the best idea. While he was charming and handsome, something about the man set her on edge.
“I don’t know—”
At the edge of her vision, she caught movement. Nathan stepped across the threshold, irresistible in a gray-and-white pin-striped shirt and black trousers, rich brown hair shiny in the candlelight. Tan and fit and lean.
But what was he doing here? He didn’t attend these functions any more than she did. At least she had a reason. What was his?
Beside her, Landon stiffened. Nathan’s slow survey of the room’s occupants eventually jarred to a halt with them. Shock followed quickly by annoyance showed on his face. His lips pursed. He was going to come over here. Of course he was.
Feeling weak and susceptible where he was concerned, Sophie seized Landon’s hand. “On second thought, I think a stroll is exactly what I need right now.”
Surprise flashed. “As you wish, my lady.” His satisfied near-sneer didn’t bother her as much as it should have.
Hustling her out the door, Landon guided her down the back porch steps and along the winding stone path. Before long, they were deep in the lush gardens, hidden from view of the yellow two-story. Disconcerted and breathless from their hasty retreat, Sophie inhaled the fragrant, slightly sweet scent emitted by the rainbow of pastel blooms. The water fountain trickled in the distance.
That was a close call. Nathan had stayed away for days; an unwelcome reprieve albeit a necessary one. When he’d held her captive the other day, her hands imprisoned against him, his dear face hovering near, she’d been tempted to throw caution to the wind and kiss him, her irritation a minor thing compared to her need for him. The man of her heart.
Sinking onto a wide stone bench beneath a rose arbor, she arranged her skirts and clasped her hands in her lap. The setting sun warmed her skin as she observed two black-and-orange butterflies flitting above the blossoms.
You have to move past this, Sophie.
Her companion sat beside her, his thigh brushing hers; a bit too close for comfort. But there wasn’t room on the bench to scoot away. Nathan’s insinuations came to the forefront of her mind.
“That night you lost the shadow game, what exactly did you and April do out here?”
He tilted his head back and laughed heartily, the strong column of his throat a golden brown above his black suit coat. His blond hair, so light a color it was difficult to describe, glowed in the waning light. He smelled clean and soapy.
Setting an arm around her shoulders, he said, “Such candor! You are a refreshing female, Sophie Tanner.” When he leaned in close as if to kiss her, she pushed hard on his chest and jumped up.
“I asked you to tell me what you did, not show me!”
Tugging on his sleeves, his mouth tightened in displeasure for a fraction of a second, so fast she wasn’t sure she’d seen it at all. When he lifted his head, he once again wore a relaxed, unaffected grin. “No need to get riled, sweet Sophie. It was an innocent mistake.”
“You and I aren’t courting. I don’t know about you, but I don’t give affection freely.”
He unfolded his tall frame. Approached. Quirked an insolent brow. “You kissed Nathan.”
She stiffened, unhappy with the reminder. “That was a game.” Studying him, she said, “Why don’t you and Nathan like each other?”
“That’s not an interesting topic. You, on the other hand, intrigue me.” He crowded her, touched a finger to her earbob. “Pretty.”
Stomach tightening, she backed up a step. “I’m ready to return to the house now.”
Tipping his head, he offered her his arm. “As you wish, my lady.”
She would not be sitting with Landon Greene tonight. Time to move on to the next available contender.
* * *
Nathan paced the wide porch wrapping around the house, debating whether or not to go after her. Most of the guests were already seated in the parlor, awaiting the recital set to start in fifteen minutes.
He scanned the trees and shrubs and flower beds. Surely Landon wouldn’t try anything at such a public event.
Remember the last time you attempted to rescue her? She was fine. Perfectly capable of handling herself.
Still, his lungs deflated with relief when he caught sight of her and her escort emerging from the verdant vista. He studied her expressive face. No fear there. Irritation, maybe.
Goodness, but she was a sight. He couldn’t help this stunned reaction every time he saw her looking more like a wealthy socialite than his childhood playmate. Her fitted jacket of aquamarine was trimmed in chocolate brown and caramel, the same hue as her voluminous skirts, and atop her coiled locks perched a petite, round, flower-bedecked straw hat. Stylish and breezily beautiful, she put the radiant blooms spread out around her to shame.
Landon spotted him first. The corners of his eyes tightened, his mouth turned down in dislike. Nathan challenged him with a glare and a silent threat—hurt Sophie, deal with me.
She didn’t notice his presence until they had reached the top of the stairs. Lashes flaring, color bloomed in her apple cheeks. She surreptitiously edged closer to him and away from Landon. What exactly did that mean?
“I enjoyed our time together.” Landon half bowed to her. Ignoring Nathan, he went inside.
“Your aunt sent me to find you,” he told her, offering his arm. “I’m to take you to her as soon as possible.” Cordelia had phrased it exactly that way, too.
“I’m pretty sure I can find my own way.”
“You would cause me to suffer her wrath?” he lightly challenged.
“Oh, all right.” Blowing out a breath, she adjusted her jacket hem and fussed with her skirts, smoothed her hair and fumbled with her earbobs. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think she was avoiding physical contact with him. That wasn’t Sophie’s way. It didn’t used to be, anyway. Things were changing with breakneck speed. Who knew what was normal anymore?
When she at last tucked her gloved hand in the crook of his elbow, the pressure against his arm was faint, barely detectable, and yet her touch made him feel strong and capable and willing to protect her at all cost.
Was this how Josh felt about Kate? Eager to go to battle for her?
The notion was most unsettling.
Sophie didn’t need him to do battle for her. What she couldn’t handle on her own, her future husband would take care of.
Holding the door for her, he asked, “How was your outing with Frank?”
“Wonderful.” She kept her gaze straight ahead.
“Truly?”
Lifting luminous eyes to him, she adopted an earnest air. “He may be shy, but Frank’s a good-hearted man. Decent. Too hardworking, perhaps. He deserves a little fun in his life.”
And what of her? What did she deserve?
“I’m certain you can give him that.”
She looked surprised, which in turn surprised him. Wasn’t she aware of all she had to offer?
He knew then what Sophie deserved. Love. She’d given so much of herself to everyone around her. She’d sacrificed her childhood to care for Will. She’d bestowed her heart and compassion upon Tobias, had poured time, attention and hard labor into the family farm. She deserved to be taken care of, to be pampered, even.
As her friend, it was his duty to make certain the man she chose would treat her accordingly.
Chapter Fifteen
Much to Sophie’s dismay, Nathan not only delivered her to her aunt’s side, he joined them. Sandwiched between the two of them, she couldn’t concentrate on the beautiful music or the words being sung. Could only focus on the keen awareness of his person so close to hers—his strong, tanned hands holding the program listing the evening’s performers, neatly clipped fingernails, light blue veins beneath tanned skin, a stray nick on his knuckles. Occasionally, his black-clad knee bumped hers and she didn’t mind it at all. That she would be so affected by her lifelong friend and neighbor was beyond fathoming.
Why did she have to feel this way for him? The one man who would never return those feelings?
The program dragged on interminably in her mind, stuck in a mad place between pleasure and pain. Afterward, her attempts at escape were thwarted. Cordelia commanded them to wait on her on the rear porch, giving no reason for her wishes.
“What was your favorite song?” he asked now, his back supported by a white column, his hip nestled against the railing that wrapped around the back of the house. Moonlight washed the gardens in pastel glory, the faint tinkling of the water fountain blending with cicadas’ familiar hum. Distant laughter rippled through the night.
The air caressed her skin, teased the hair brushing her nape. “‘Rose of Killarney’ because of its haunting melody. What about you?”
“My favorite, ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus.’”