The Husband Hunt (Smoky Mountain Matches)

by Kirst, Karen

  “After I’m married, I won’t be your responsibility anymore,” she choked out, then spun and fled, hot tears dripping down her cheeks.

  * * *

  A vortex of emotions swirling out of control in his chest, Nathan stalked to Josh’s side. He felt like punching something. Beside the table, Georgette Littleton attempted to console her daughter as she wiped frosting from her forehead. People cast curious glances his way, as if he could explain what had happened.

  “Is it time to leave yet?” he growled, silently vowing to make his excuses the next time a wedding invitation arrived.

  Concern wreathed Josh’s face. “You gave her a hard time, didn’t you?”

  Guilt penetrated his ire and pricked his conscience. “She deserved it.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “What did you expect me to do?” he snapped. “Applaud her creativity? ‘Gee, Sophie, the cake was a nice touch. Good aim.’”

  “You aren’t her judge and jury, Nathan.” His older brother’s piercing glower could still make him squirm even after all these years. “I made that same mistake with Kate and almost lost her. You know, you two have been at daggers drawn ever since we were kids. I don’t think Sophie instigated it, either. She was merely reacting to your condescending behavior. You’re the only one who had a problem with her. Have you ever stopped to wonder why that is?”

  “I don’t have to wonder,” he snapped, beginning to feel like a parrot. “Sophie and I are as different as night and day, that’s why.”

  Josh cocked a sardonic brow. “You have love of God and family in common. You’re both hard workers. Both love the outdoors.”

  “So what? There are a lot of people with those same values. Doesn’t really make things easier between us.” When he made to leave, his brother clamped a hand on his shoulder.

  “I heard the entire exchange. April said some rather cruel things about Lester and Will.”

  His gaze locked with Josh’s. The grim truth in the blue depths soured his stomach. When it came to her little brother, Sophie was as protective as a momma bear with her cub, a trait he’d always admired.

  With a frustrated groan, he dragged a hand down his face. “I’ve been a real idiot, haven’t I?”

  Josh winked. “Nothing a little groveling won’t cure.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Nathan hated that he’d jumped to conclusions. Hated that he’d hurt her.

  You’re not her judge and jury, Nathan. Josh’s statement continued to cut at him. His brother was right. Who did he think he was? And why had he erected barriers between them all those years ago? Continually searched for reasons to push her away?

  Too much of a coward to delve too deeply for answers to those questions, relief swept through him when he entered the meadow near her cabin and saw her boots dangling from her favorite tree.

  When a stick snapped beneath his boot, she didn’t turn her head to look at him. She sat very still, spine straight and hands braced against the thick branch supporting her, floral-print skirts billowed around her with a hint of ruffled pantaloons beneath the hem.

  He halted at the tree base. “I need to talk to you. Will you come down?”

  “No.”

  “Please?”

  “I can’t,” she breathed. “I’m stuck.”

  Huh? “What do you mean?”

  “My hair’s caught in the branches,” she confessed, frowning. “I wasn’t paying attention and sat farther out than I normally do.”

  Shrugging out of his suit jacket, he draped it over a low-lying limb. “I’m coming up.”

  She was quiet as he climbed and, maneuvering himself onto the branch, scooted close, her frothy skirts overlapping his black trousers. “Good thing this is sturdy.” He patted the rough wood that barely gave beneath his added weight.

  “I’m glad you came,” she said somberly, “otherwise, I might’ve been here awhile. I’ve tried to untangle it but ended up making it worse.”

  At the sight of the tear tracks on her cheeks, the dewy moisture clinging to her eyelashes, he cringed. He was an ogre. Heaving a sigh, he leaned slightly back to inspect the problem. There were a number of branches snagged in the hair loops and pink ribbons.

  “It doesn’t look bad. I’ll be as gentle as I can.”

  She nodded, then winced.

  “Careful, now.” Angling closer, he worked to disengage the ribbons first, then her hair, which was like fine silk whispering through his fingertips. Being this near to her, inhaling her scent and registering the changes in her breathing, heightened his senses. Awareness turned his blood to sludge and his thoughts had trouble connecting. He risked a glance at her profile. Where her cheeks had been colorless before, they were now flushed a soft pink. Her pulse beat frantically in the dip of her throat.

  Focus, O’Malley.

  Fingers fumbling, he somehow managed to free her. “There.” His voice croaked. “All finished.”

  Sophie lifted a hand to her hair, grateful to be free. “Thank you.”

  She started when Nathan laid his palm gently against her cheek, his thumb brushing the wetness away. Remorse darkened his eyes.

  “I’m sorry I scolded you,” he whispered. “I’m a terrible friend. Please forgive me?”

  Leaning into his hand, she whispered back, “You were right to lecture me.”

  His brows pulled together. “I should’ve asked what happened before reading you the riot act. I was wrong.”

  “I should’ve kept my temper in check.”

  His expression turned fiercely tender. “You have a right to defend yourself and your family. I would’ve done the same in your situation.”

  Obviously he’d found out what April had said. “I can’t see you dumping lemonade on anyone.”

  Lifting a shoulder, his mouth softened. “Maybe not. I can think of a few people who deserve cake in the face, though.”

  “You wouldn’t do any of those things. You have heaps more self-control than I have.”

  His hand slipped to her nape, a warm, wonderful weight, the work-roughened skin sending delightful shivers along her shoulders. Her scalp tingled.

  His face hovered near hers, their noses nearly touching. “I’ve given you a hard time all these years, not once telling you how much I actually like you.” His husky drawl enveloped her, cutting off the birds and squirrels, buzzing insects and trickling water. All that existed was this man. “You possess many fine qualities, Soph. I admire your fire and determination. Your courage. The way you put others’ needs before your own.” His beautiful eyes shimmered, inviting her in for the first time.

  Sophie’s heart whirled and dipped in a dizzying dance. “You do? L-like me, I mean?”

  “I do.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Very much.”

  He was going to kiss her. Not because of some silly game. Because he wanted to.

  His fingers tightened a fraction. “Soph.”

  Dipping his head, his lips brushed hers, gentle and warm and soft. Exploring. Caressing.

  Feeling bold, Sophie delved a hand into his hair and poured all her pent-up emotions into her response. Surely he could sense the depth of her feelings for him!

  When he framed her face with his other hand, together their balance shifted and Sophie experienced a falling sensation. Nathan broke off their kiss and, chuckling low, grasped her waist with one hand and an overhead branch with the other.

  His lazy smile made her heart sing. “I guess I forgot where we were there for a minute.”

  “Me, too,” she said, suddenly shy. What did this mean?

  “Sophie?”

  At the sound of Will’s voice, Nathan’s gaze shifted to the ground and his expression shuttered closed. There, a few steps behind her brother, was Josh, watching them with keen inte
rest. And Frank.

  She’d forgotten all about him! Had he witnessed their embrace?

  No matter what, you could never, ever, forget Nathan.

  “I’ll go first,” Nathan said stiffly, “then I’ll help you down.”

  Her joy deflated, she accepted his help. Was he regretting his actions? Once on the ground, she attempted to smooth her disheveled coiffure.

  “Why did you leave early, Sophie?” Will asked, brow crinkled. “Frank was looking all over for you.”

  Dare she hope her brother hadn’t heard of her lapse in judgment and, more importantly, the slurs April had cast on their family? “I, uh, needed some time to myself.”

  “I was worried.” Frank approached, shooting a curious glance at a frowning Nathan, who didn’t budge from her side. “I saw what happened with April.”

  His utter lack of condemnation didn’t surprise her. He’d inherited his generous spirit from his father.

  “I apologize for abandoning you.”

  “What matters is that you’re all right.”

  Sophie couldn’t think of a single thing to say. Oh, what an awkward coil this was! Frank was utterly clueless about what had just transpired between her and Nathan. And Nathan—what must he be thinking? She couldn’t bring herself to look at him.

  “Thank you for bringing him home,” she finally managed to say. “You, too, Josh.”

  “No problem.” When his lips twitched in amusement, indicating he was aware of her predicament, her cheeks flamed in mortification. This was worse than any food fight.

  Hands deep in his pockets, Will rubbed at the ground with his shoe. “I told Josh I’m old enough to see myself home, but he insisted.”

  Josh laughed. Sophie grimaced. “He did that as a favor to me. Please use your manners and thank him.”

  “Thank you,” he murmured. “Can I go change now?”

  “Yes, you may. And don’t forget to hang your clothes up,” she called after him.

  He didn’t look back, just waved a hand over his head.

  Risking a glance at Nathan, she caught him shaking his head at his brother, who was wearing a knowing smirk. What was that all about?

  “I’ve got to get back to Kate,” Josh told her. “Are you coming, Nathan?”

  Please stay, she silently pleaded. Stay and explain what that kiss meant to you. Tell me I can call off this ridiculous scheme because you want to marry me.

  But that wasn’t possible with her date looking on, was it?

  “Yeah, I’m coming.” Looking grim, he retrieved his suit jacket and slung it over his shoulder. When he’d joined his brother and the duo turned to leave, she raised a hand.

  “Nathan, wait.”

  He halted and looked over his shoulder at her, grim and closed off.

  “Frank, would you mind waiting for me at the cabin?”

  “Sure.”

  Josh tugged on his hat brim. “See you later, Sophie.”

  “I’ll catch up with you in a minute,” Nathan called after him, facing her with trepidation.

  That didn’t bode well.

  Summoning her courage, she went to him, stared deep into the silver recesses of his eyes and came away frustrated by the lack of answers. “What just happened here?”

  “I lost my head,” he said woodenly. “I apologize.”

  An apology wasn’t going to cut it. “This wasn’t a forfeit,” she told him. “There was no one around to see. Why’d you do it?”

  Nostrils flaring, he buried his fingers in his hair. “What are you angling for? A proposal? It was just a kiss, Sophie. It meant nothing.”

  She fell back a step. Nothing? “That didn’t feel like nothing.” Not to her. To her, it had meant everything.

  “Look, you’re all grown up now, and you’re—” he waved a hand up and down “—you’re wearing dresses and fixing your hair differently. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Attraction. That’s all this is. Plain and simple attraction. Now that we’ve got it out of our systems, things can go back to normal.”

  “Attraction.” She nodded, her throat knotting with unshed tears. “Sounds reasonable.”

  Only, what she felt for him was far from reasonable. And it wasn’t simple at all.

  “Yeah, well...” He angled his thumb over his shoulder. “I should go. Frank is waiting for you.”

  “I don’t want to keep him waiting.” Her voice sounded completely calm. Surprising, considering her insides were quivering with suppressed emotion.

  This is it, Sophia Lorraine. It’s time to give up this childhood dream. Time to move past your feelings and plan for a different future. One without Nathan O’Malley. Because loving him will get you nothing but heartache.

  * * *

  Following the Sunday meal, Nathan escaped to his sanctuary. Normally he enjoyed the conversation and camaraderie of his extended family, but not today. Not after yesterday’s fight with Sophie. That kiss. And their less-than-ideal parting.

  He was a total wreck. He’d lashed out at her in anger. Only, she wasn’t the one he was mad at. He was angry at himself, for being weak and careless, for acting on impulse—the very thing he disliked in her.

  Pulling on a pair of deerskin gloves to protect his injured finger, he found the pitchfork in the corner and began the tedious task of ridding the straw of rubbish. The physical exertion did little to clear his mind.

  “Here you are.” Caleb waltzed in through the double doors standing ajar, the habitual scowl curling his mouth. “We need to talk.”

  Nathan forked a pile of straw. “I’m busy.”

  Resting an arm on the stall’s edge, Caleb challenged him with a glare. “Too busy to tell me what Sophie’s doing with Landon Greene?”

  He straightened, hand tightening on the handle. “Did you see them together?”

  “After services. As soon as Will left with Cordelia, Sophie and Landon rode off.”

  “Maybe she was going to the Greenes’ for dinner.” Icy dread pulsed through his veins.

  Caleb shook his head. “Uh-uh. They were headed in the opposite direction.” Brown eyes impaled his. “Why didn’t you warn her?”

  “I did,” he snapped, despising the sense of helplessness coursing through him. If Sophie was in trouble, there’d be nothing he could do about it. “She wouldn’t listen.”

  Caleb pushed off from the stall, jammed his hands into his pockets. “Have you told her everything?”

  “No.”

  “I think you should.”

  “You’re right.” Propping the pitchfork against the wall, he snagged his hat. “I just hope it’s not too late.”

  Striding into the aisle, he fetched Chance’s saddle.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To her place to wait. If she isn’t back by nightfall, I’ll head over to the Greenes’. Find out where they went.”

  “Want me to come with you?”

  Smoothing the blanket over his horse’s back, Nathan tossed him a grateful look. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ve got to handle this on my own.”

  “Sophie’s family.” Caleb stroked Chance’s neck while Nathan worked to saddle him. “If he lays so much as a finger on her, he’ll have the wrath of the O’Malley clan raining down on him.”

  Vaulting into the saddle, Nathan smiled grimly down at his younger brother. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  His resulting expression warned him it wasn’t for long. As soon as Nathan said the word, Caleb would be gone again.

  “Be safe” was his response.

  As Chance picked his way along the familiar forest trail toward the Tanner homestead, Nathan prayed. For Sophie’s safety. For his peace of mind. And for forgiveness. For if not for his pride, she wouldn’t be courting the enemy right about now.


  * * *

  “I could never tire of this view,” Sophie sighed. A break in the trees allowed them a glimpse of mountain ridges stretching into the far distance. The air was fresh and slightly cooler at this elevation. Behind them, their horses grazed. “It’s stunning. A true testament to God’s glory.”

  Landon, shoulder pressed against hers, turned his head to regard her with blatant appreciation. “I could never tire of it, either,” he said softly, clearly referring to her, not the mountains.

  She chose to ignore the insinuation. Up until this point, Landon had been his entertaining self, and the afternoon had passed rather pleasantly. When he’d approached her after church and asked if she’d like to accompany him on another picnic, she’d hesitated. Nathan didn’t like the man. Nor did he trust him. Sophie’s curiosity had prompted her to agree. She was dying to learn what had transpired between the two men.

  “Tell me something...” He ran a finger down her cheek. “Where is my name on your list? I hope I’m near the top.”

  Sophie’s jaw dropped. “How do you know about that?”

  “Gossip is kind of like poison ivy. One slipup and it spreads without you even realizing it. Until the itchin’ sets in, that is.” His grin seemed a touch mean-spirited.

  Head spinning with the revelation, she smacked at a mosquito humming near her neck. “Who was it? Nicole?” she demanded with rising irritation. The younger girl had vowed to keep her secret, and Sophie had trusted her. Wasn’t it enough that folks knew about her need to marry without them knowing about her suitable husband list?

  “Patrick heard it from his sister, Carrie, who helps out the Lamberts. She overheard your aunt telling Mrs. Lambert.”

  Aunt Cordelia! “I don’t understand. Why would she do that?”

  “That’s beside the point.” He waved away her concerns with an arrogant smirk. “Let’s talk about the list some more. So, am I number one?”

  “I’m not discussing this with you.”

  “Give me a name, then. A man needs to know who he’s up against.”

  “Nathan.”

  Beneath his hat brim, his face hardened, eyes glittering with dislike. She’d tossed out the name to irk him, and perhaps to goad him into revealing something of the past.