Page 18 of A Soft Kiss in Summer
The surrounding conversations still hadn’t resumed.The hush that came over the crowd seemed to cause an unnatural tension to fill the air.He’d like to say seeing Edwin pull his buggy to a stop had no effect on him, but he’d be lying.His being here smelled like trouble to him.
He looked for Violet and found her by the creek bank.Her eyes were wide, her mouth open as if she’d gasped, and it only took a second for her to turn her head his way.The moment their eyes locked, he could see her fear shining in them.
Josiah shared Violet’s unease, more so when Ewan stepped up beside him.Did the old man know about the white lie Violet had told Edwin?That he’d asked for her hand in marriage and that they were now engaged?
By the look on Ewan’s face and his lack of comment, he guessed she hadn’t.Did anyone know?
Does it matter?
He sighed.Like it or not, Violet’s troubles were now his own since she’d dragged him into her little dilemma and something told him today was about to get interesting.
Most everyone went back to minding their own business, but a few busybodies kept their attention on Edwin and his friend.
The other man had hair so stark white it seemed to shine in the noonday sun.There were lines around his eyes and mouth that gave him the impression the man had some years on him.
Edwin helped him from the buggy and kept a hand on the man’s arm until he was steady on his feet, then looked around the clearing.He knew the instant Edwin spotted Violet.His smile widened and something in his eyes told him Edwin wasn’t leaving today without some sort of confrontation.
Why else would the man be here?
Violet still had that shocked expression on her face when he glanced back at her, and it only took her a few moments to turn her head his way.They stared at one another from across the clearing and as much as he’d love to get back on his horse and let her deal with her own drama, he knew he couldn’t, if for no other reason than he was the marshal.It was his job to keep the peace, to make sure everyone was safe, and sometimes handle disputes, and if this didn’t classify as a dispute, he didn’t know what did.
He pushed off from the tree he’d been leaning against and headed to one of the tables to set his plate down.As he figured he would, Edwin headed straight for Violet while the old man he’d brought with him headed toward him, and the table filled with food, before he grabbed his own plate and started filling it while talking to a few of the ladies who were standing nearby.
Violet’s face was red when he looked back over at her and Edwin.They were in a heated conversation from the looks of it, and he sighed again when she looked his way.
Why did I let her drag me into this?
He started across the clearing and the relief on Violet’s face was enough to make Edwin turn to see what she was looking at.When the man saw him, he scowled.
“Edwin,” Josiah said when he finally reached them.“I wasn’t expecting to see you again.”
“Apparently.”The man sneered at him before straightening his spine.He looked back at Violet.“Have you two married yet?”He glanced down at her hand, looking for a ring, if he had to guess.
Violet finally found her voice and blew out a breath.“What I do is of no concern to you, Edwin.”
“It is when another man steals my fiancé.”
“I was never your fiancé.”
“I remember it differently.”
“Obviously.”
Edwin’s face reddened.“Since I see no ring on your finger, I’m going to assume you’re still available to court.”
“No, I’m not.”
“That’s not how I see it.Until you’re married, I still have a chance to win your hand.”
Violet sighed, loudly.“Edwin—”
“What will it take, Violet?Do you need a grand gesture?If so, I’ll challenge him to a duel and we’ll settle it like men.”
Josiah blinked along with Violet.“A duel?”
Edwin nodded.“It’s how disputes are settled all the time in larger cities.”
He wasn’t lying.He’d stopped several while living in Durango.“Well, it’s not how we handle them here.”He crossed his arms over his chest.“As marshal, I won’t allow a gunfight in the streets of Silver Falls.”
