Page 36 of The Sheriff & the Nurse

How could he reveal his intentions without making a muddle of everything? Was he ready to give his heart away again? To hurt his brother? He couldn’t break his word. He’d promised to give Walker a chance, but he hadn’t agreed not to tell Lily how he felt about her. He was swimming in murky water.

He escorted her to the nearest open pew, not missing the many curious glances, some people getting bumped by their neighbor and then craning their necks to see. The song finished and hushed whispers filled the air.

Lily scooted in and he sat next to her on the hard bench, naturally sliding his arm around her shoulder and drawing her into his side.

Pastor Heath stood to pray and the whispers settled. As the prayer finished, Clint glanced around the church again. Lily’s family was all there, with some extra people from their ranch as always. Rose gave him a sly wink and Mama Ivy grinned.

A few rows back from the Lillywhites, his mom and Walker sat with their ranch hand Brandon’s young family. His entire family and the ranch hands couldn’t all make it to church. Dad and Easton must’ve felt they couldn’t leave with two protection details at the ranch. Clint would have to check in. He’d been so consumed with Lily he’d missed talking to his family and seeing if they needed anything. They’d call him in an emergency, but he hated to put the burden of the ranch’s most important duties on them.

Lily shifted against him. He glanced down to see her twisting the diamond band on her left finger with her right hand. He loved seeing that ring there. He’d never found out if it fit Sheryl, but it clearly fit Lily perfectly. He prayed she wanted it on her finger and didn’t feel it was tainted since he’d bought it for someone else.

He pivoted toward her, reached across with his left hand, and slid his hand around hers. She blinked up at him, her dark eyes alluring. He lifted her hand, turned it over, and pressed a lingering kiss to her palm. Her pulse was going like mad in her throat and her lips softened. Bringing their joined hands to his chest, he eased toward her.

A low, “Whoa,” came from behind them. He straightened, shocked at his own behavior. He’d almost kissed Lily in church. He lowered their clasped hands to his leg and cuddled her close with his right arm. She sighed and leaned into him.

He tried to focus on the pastor but felt eyes boring into his head. Looking around, his gaze caught on Walker. His brother’s blue eyes were wounded and angry. It was so out of character for Walker that Clint took the look like a punch to the gut.

Swallowing hard, he faced the pastor, released his hold on Lily’s left hand, and sat straighter. His right arm was still around her, but he rested his elbow on the bench behind her and simply wrapped his arm around her right shoulder. She straightened as well, going stiff beside him.

She slid the diamond band off her left hand and onto her right. What was she doing? He gave her a questioning look. She leaned in and whispered, “In Coleville, we’re only dating.”

Oh. He nodded, but he didn’t like it. Man, he was a mess. He tried to focus on the sermon. He needed inspiration right now.

“…esteem every man as himself,” Pastor Heath was saying. “Can we each say that we truly want our brother, sister, or neighbor’s happiness more than our own?”

Clint blinked. Those words were as difficult to take as that look from Walker. He selfishly wanted his own happiness with Lily. Their kisses yesterday had led him to believe that he’d found the love of his life in the woman he’d always yearned for. Was that wrong? Was he putting his needs and happiness before Walker’s? Maybe when Walker took his shot, Lily would kiss his little brother as passionately and beautifully and inspiringly as she’d kissed him. She’d probably kissed Miles like that many times. His neck tightened and got hot just thinking about her in either of his brothers’ arms. He needed a good sparring match.

The service finished. He and Lily stood, and he took her hand again. He could justify that. They were supposed to be engaged, after all.

Everyone and their dog wanted to talk to them. Apparently the rumor mill had been grinding nonstop in Coleville.

His mama finally made her way to them, Lily’s family not far behind. He hugged her. “Ah my handsome boy.” She arched up and said in his ear, “I can’t tell you how I love seeing you and Lily together. Are you being pure staying all alone in that beautiful house of yours?”

“Or course, Mama.” He kissed her cheek and drew back. His mama approved. What about the rest of his family? Walker definitely didn’t. “Where’s Walker?”

His mama’s eyes darkened. “Waiting for me at the truck. He hasn’t said much, but I can tell something’s eating at him.”

Clint looked from his mama to Lily, who was hugging her family. Luckily the crowd had dissipated so nobody was listening in. He and his mama both knew what was eating at Walker.

“I want to do the right thing,” he said for only his mama to hear.

She stared up at him. “Then you’d better pray something fierce, my boy.”

He wanted her to tell him what the right thing was, but that wasn’t her way. He had to turn it to God, pray, and follow the inspiration he felt. He had been praying, but his desire and love for Lily overshadowed any insight from heaven. How could he riddle out if he and Lily were meant to be and he needed to put her first like his parents did with each other, or if he was being selfish and should put his brother’s happiness above his own?

“I need to talk to Walker,” he said.

She nodded and pushed at his arm. “Go.”

“Love you, Mama.” He stepped up to Lily and touched her arm, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “I need to speak with Walker. Can you stay close to your dad and Bennett?”

She only nodded to him.

He straightened and lifted a hand to her family. “I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time,” Rose said. “Lily’s agreed to come over for Sunday dinner. We’ll be able to grill you all afternoon.”

“I’ll look forward to that.” Clint smiled at her teasing, though he wanted Lily all to himself today. He turned and hurried down the aisle and out of the church, squinting at the bright sun. Why anybody would want to be outside without a hat was baffling to him. Families and couples lingered on the lawn, enjoying the beautiful weather and socializing. He greeted people but didn’t slow down to chat.

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