Page 37 of Willing to Wed the Rancher
“Yes, I regret it.” He stuffed both hands into his trouser pockets, afraid he’d reach for her—something that seemed to be happening all too easily lately.
“Clementine made it seem as though you’d asked to call on her.”
His thoughts halted. “So you knew about the dinner plans?”
“Yes, Clem told me earlier in the week.”
“I see.” So he’d worried for nothing.
“I stopped by the ranch this morning, and she said she enjoyed your time together.”
“Your sister is a very lovely woman. But...”
With her eyes riveted to him expectantly, she worked at her bottom lip.
Of course, as always when he considered her lips, he wanted to bend down and take possession of them for himself. But he couldn’t.
“But . . .” she prompted him.
He made himself look away from her to settle his thoughts. Did he dare tell her why he hadn’t enjoyed his time with Clementine? What harm could come from being honest? “The truth is, she is not you, and so I had no interest in spending time with her.”
“Really?” Light flickered in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth curled up into the hint of a smile.
He’d intended to tell Clementine that he had no plans to call upon her again, but as he’d been readying his horse to leave, Maverick had come out of the barn, and he’d lost the opportunity to speak privately with her. He hoped she’d picked up on his cues that he saw her as nothing more than a friend, but if there was any confusion on the matter, he’d have to let her know next time he saw her.
He moved a step closer to Clarabelle, earnestness and need driving him. “I have loved getting to know you, Clarabelle.”
“But Clementine is more exciting and talkative than me.”
“No one can compare to you.” His voice came out softer and more passionate than he’d intended.
Instead of welcoming his compliment, her brow furrowed. Did she doubt his sincerity?
He knew exactly how to convince her he was telling the truth. He could pull her into his arms and steal a kiss—this time without asking.
What would that accomplish except to make the future more confusing? He was still in the same dilemma. He wasn’t planning to stay in Colorado. Not when he had responsibilities and work he loved awaiting him back home. And he’d alreadydecided he couldn’t ask her to give up everything after knowing him such for a short time.
She dropped her gaze to the sack of chicken feed near their feet. “I’m afraid you won’t think so highly of me after you learn what happened in town today.”
“I am sure it cannot be too bad.” He doubted anything could change his feelings for her. The emotions burning through him had already seared him too deeply, and that realization scared him more than a little.
“It’s pretty terrible,” she whispered.
His breathing stilled.
“The children told everyone we got married yesterday.”
That was all? He drew in a breath and almost laughed at his relief. “That does not sound like something too terrible.”
She kept her gaze trained on the grain bag. “The terrible part is that I didn’t correct the misunderstanding.”
She hadn’t? Why? Anticipation swirled inside him.
“I admit I’m not good at being confrontational or saying no.” Her voice was laced with embarrassment. “And once everyone started congratulating me, I didn’t know how to tell them they were wrong.”
“I see.” He felt strangely let down but wasn’t sure why. Maybe because he’d hoped she wanted him? But instead, she’d just been shy.
She dug the tip of her boot into the hay, twisting back and forth as though waiting for him to say more.
