Zach returned his attention to Deirdre. “I agree. She is very much a catch.”
The young woman’s cheeks flushed, and her eyes filled with obvious pleasure at Zach’s compliment.
“You’re not a half-bad catch yourself.” Bellamy infused his tone with humor, hoping to mask the seriousness of his hint.
Mr. Meier had raised his brow and was now paying close attention to the interaction happening with the Whitcomb family.
“You’ve done well for yourself.” Bellamy spoke quickly before Mr. Meier could interject any negativity. “From what I’ve heard, your breweries are so profitable that you’ve been investing in real estate both inside and outside of St. Louis.”
Zach shifted in his saddle, clearly not quite comfortable talking about his wealth. “That’s right.”
Zach’s father’s expression turned more severe as though warning Zach to walk away from the young woman, that this wasn’t the time or place to start working on a match.
But Bellamy couldn’t let the matter slip away. Not yet. At the very least he had to ensure that the two young people were seriously considering each other before the conversation came to a close.
“Ach, I’m surprised you haven’t been snatched up yet by some lucky lady.” Bellamy grinned broadly. “Maybe you’d like me to be helping you find a match. I’d have a long list of interested families.”
“Maybe ...” Again Zach looked at Deirdre.
Mr. Meier shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, Bellamy. But we’ll find Zach a good Protestant woman.”
At the wordProtestant, everyone seemed to stiffen, including Zach.
They might as well get the differences between the two families out in the open now rather than later. Bellamy crossed his hands casually, resting them on his thigh. Then he watched Zach, waiting for the young man to take the lead in the conversation. Something in Zach’s posture said he didn’t agree with his father. And Bellamy was hoping he’d say so.
Before Zach could speak, Deirdre’s father frowned. “What’s wrong with a Catholic woman? They make excellent wives too.”
Perhaps Senator Whitcomb wasn’t opposed to social and religious differences. As a politician with constituents of all races, cultures, and denominations, maybe the senator had already learned to set aside personal preferences for thegreater good of the community. If so, the match would be easier if at least one set of parents was open to the merging of two cultures.
Zach met the senator’s gaze levelly. “There’s nothing wrong with Catholic women, Senator. And my father knows that I don’t have a preference toward Protestantism or Catholicism.”
Mr. Meier shook his head. “There are too many differences—”
“If we love God first and foremost, that’s all that really matters.”
Bellamy nodded at Zach. “Well said.”
Zach released a tight breath, perhaps drawing courage from Bellamy’s affirmation. “In fact, I would be willing to convert to Catholicism for the right woman—”
“I won’t allow it.” Mr. Meier’s countenance was growing stormier.
The senator, on the other hand, was studying Zach with keen interest—an interest Bellamy recognized in a potential father of the bride. Mr. Whitcomb clearly appreciated an open mind as well as a man who was willing to compromise. And he was seeing that in Zach.
“With all due respect,” Zach said firmly to his father, “I plan to choose the woman I marry.”
“Your mother will be even more opposed to a match with this family—this woman.” Mr. Meier cocked his head in Deirdre’s direction.
Inwardly, Bellamy gloated. Just what he’d wanted—one of the family members bringing up the match first so the idea appeared to be theirs and not his.
“If Mother opened her mind, she would love Deirdre.”
“Of course, anyone would,” the senator interjected while staring at Mr. Meier. “Deirdre is the most agreeable woman I know, next to my wife, that is.” He smiled fondly at his wife.
Standing beside Deirdre, the middle-aged woman returned his smile before patting Deirdre’s arm tenderly.
Deirdre’s eyes were brimming with undeniable hope.
On the river behind them, thePrairie Princessgave a long whistle, beckoning the passengers to board.
