“Good afternoon, Senator.” Bellamy nodded at the gentleman.
The senator nodded back. “Bellamy McKenna.”
In that moment, Deirdre caught sight of Zach, and her conversation with her sister came to an immediate halt. Her eyes widened and seemed to take in the young man hungrily, as though she hadn’t ever expected to see him again and now couldn’t get enough of him.
That was a grand sign.
Zach and his father were reining in beside Bellamy, but their attention was on a warehouse farther down the levee, the one that usually housed the malt and other brewing supplies.
The senator’s brow furrowed. “You did get my note, didn’t you, Bellamy?”
“Oh aye, that I did.”
Deirdre still hadn’t taken her gaze from Zach.
Bellamy cocked his head toward the Meiers. “I saw you as I was passing by with the Meiers and thought I’d make sure you’re certain you’re ready to be done with the matchmaking.”
Mr. Meier finally fixed his attention on the Whitcomb family. He gave the senator a nod before turning his anxious gaze upon Bellamy. “Should Zach and I ride on ahead?”
“You’ve met the Whitcombs, haven’t you?” Bellamy asked.
At the name Whitcomb, Zach’s head whipped toward the family, and his gaze flitted over everyone until he found Deirdre. Something in his expression changed, came to life, but also filled with a quiet pain.
The reaction was the final confirmation Bellamy needed. It was clear Zach cared about Deirdre but didn’t think he could ever have her. Perhaps he’d even heard about the matchmaking for her over the past week but hadn’t come forward as acandidate because he didn’t think he had a chance of winning over her parents or his, not when the Germans and Irish in St. Louis didn’t get along.
Well, it was time to push the fellow to a fight—this one a fight for the woman he loved.
“I’ve heard of the senator but never met him.” Mr. Meier tipped his hat first toward Senator Whitcomb, then his wife. “Nice to meet you, Senator. Ma’am.”
“This is Zachary.” Bellamy waved a hand at Zach. “He runs half a dozen breweries here in St. Louis with his father. We’re here to make sure the supply of malt doesn’t get confiscated.”
“Pleased to meet you both.” The senator spoke the words perfunctorily, doing his duty to remain friendly with constituents even though he obviously was in a hurry to take his family out of the city.
Deirdre was still staring at Zach with stars shining in her eyes.
Zach offered her a smile.
She gave him a tremulous one back.
“Zach and Deirdre.” Bellamy pretended to suddenly remember them. “If I recall correctly, the two of you have met before, haven’t you?”
Deirdre nodded, her smile widening. “Yes, we’ve known each other since last summer.”
Zach hesitated with a sidelong look at the senator before responding. “I have had the pleasure of making Miss Whitcomb’s acquaintance. You have a lovely daughter, Senator.”
“Thank you.” The senator smiled at Deirdre, but upon seeing the way she was peering up at Zach, as if the sun, moon, and stars revolved around him, his smile faded. Heglanced sharply back at Zach, who met his gaze head-on without faltering.
Good for him. Bellamy inwardly cheered the fellow on, praying he wouldn’t back down. A little competition would help push Zach into the fight. “I’ve been working with the Whitcombs this week in trying to find a match for Deirdre.”
Zach’s eyes rounded, enough for Bellamy to realize the young man actually hadn’t gotten the news about the matchmaking. Now that he knew, would he step up on his own and make an effort to win her? Or would he need a nudge? Maybe even a shove?
“We’re taking a break from the matchmaking,” the senator said to Zach. Did his voice contain a warning?
“Oh aye.” Bellamy made his voice as casual as possible. “Deirdre had a dozen men who are interested in her.”
“A dozen?” A note of dismay tinged Zach’s tone.
“Deirdre is quite the catch, so she is.”
