It was time for him to put the next part of his plan into action. Wiping his mouth with his napkin, he leaned back and turned toward Whitney. “My dear, might I escort you on a brisk walk outside in the moonlight?”
She looked to her family and then glanced back at him. “That would be nice. As long as it’s not too long. I find myself quite tired.”
“Of course. But I find myself in need of some exercise after thatlovelymeal.” There was that word again. Once they were married, he’d have to keep these visits to a minimum.
The racket around the table increased as they stood and everyone gathered plates, said their “good-nights” to him, and continued to chatter on incessantly. Was it a farce, or did these people really like each other that much?
He kept a pleasant expression glued to his face as he and Whitney gathered their coats and gloves and headed out the door.
She kept several feet between them as they walked toward the pond. “It’s probably best not to disturb the dogs tonight. They’ll get too excited to see me, and then the rest of the animals will be wide awake with their noise.”
“I’m pleased to get some time alone with you.”
She picked up her pace, but didn’t respond. Ah, so she was being coy, was she? He could be patient. After all, he’d waited this long.
Once they were a good bit down the lane, she stopped and turned toward him. “Judas, there are some things I need to say.”
“Of course, my dear. Feel free to tell me anything.”
“I’m not convinced I’ll ever be able to love you. Not the way you’d want a wife to love you. In fact, I’m not sure I can ever love anyone because I feel so broken right now.”
“That’s completely understandable.” He dared to step a bit closer to her. “You’ve been through a lot this past year.”
“Maybe our courting isn’t such a good idea. I don’t think it’s fair to you, and I’m not ready.”
He’d better get a handle on things and fast. “Whitney, I don’t want you to feel any pressure from me, but most people don’t go into marriage with a great love between them. That comes with time. I’m sure if we were to seriously speak of marriage, we could build our love a little at a time. You must know that I care for you, and I believe that you care for me too. Neither one of us is getting any younger, so there’s no need to rush the romance now. We could marry and spend the rest of our lives falling in love.”
Her eyebrows shot up to the fur hood of her coat. With astep back, she held up her hands. “I don’t want to get married to you right now.”
He’d pushed. Too fast. “My apologies. That’s not what I meant. I’m simply stating that you don’t have to have expectations that we will fall in love right away. Let me take you out to dinner again. We can take our time getting to know one another as more than family friends.” Hopefully that would smooth things over for her.
She seemed to weigh his words in her mind. “As long as you understand where I’m coming from. I wouldn’t want to hurt you in any way.”
“Of course, my dear. No pressure from me, all right?”
She nodded.
“So how about dinner tomorrow evening?”
“That would be nice.”
Judas drummed his fingers on his desk. Therehadto be a way to apply pressure to the situation without making Whitney run the other way. Patience was definitely not his virtue. Once he decided on something, he went for it. And expected immediate results.
Loud thuds erupted outside his office. Bolting from his chair, he charged for the door. Who would be here at this hour?
When he yanked the door open, he saw two men engaged in a fistfight.
“What is going on here?” His booming voice caused the two to separate and turn toward him.
“He’s tryin’ to steal my land!” The younger one was wiry and short. Judas remembered him from the deed office.
“Am not—you’re the one who’s the thief!” The second man was older and yanked a piece of paper out of his pocket.“Lookee here, Mr. Reynolds. This here’s my deed to the property.”
“Oh no you don’t.” The young one shoved past him. “I got a deed too. Right here.”
“Gentlemen, gentlemen.” He used his best authoritative and soothing voice. “Come into my office so we can sort this out.”
But what he wanted to do was kick both of them out onto their keisters. Nevertheless, their squabble had piqued his interest––and an idea took shape as he sat at his desk. “Now please. Let me see each of your deeds.”
